Grand adj & n. 1 splendid, magnificent, imposing, dignified. Those four words neatly sum up all the best aspects of Mitsubishi's majestic people mover, the aptly-named Grandis.

The Mitsubishi Grandis For this is one strikingly impressive way of whisking along up to seven people in no little style.

Make no mistake, this is one voluminous vehicle, lining up against the big hitters in the people carrying world, from the likes of the Chrysler Voyager to the Peugeot 807 and Citron C8.

For all its size, the Grandis, which is lower and sportier than its competitors, is a remarkably nimble vehicle on the move. It feels, rides and drives like a svelte saloon, not a small bus.

Power on the test model came from a new 2.4-litre, petrol engine, which delivers spirited 162 horsepower performance, linked to electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transmission. It is smooth, quiet and relaxed, but the price is sub-30mpg consumption.

For such a large vehicle, the ride is surprisingly quiet, which Mitsubishi attributes not only to a super-stiff chassis, but also the fact that expanded polystyrene filler and other sound-absorbing materials have been stuffed into every nook and cranny, topped off by a double door weather strip all around.

Sound and vibration-absorbing foaming agents also fill the pillars, while asphalt and sound-deadening sheeting covers the floor, to further insulate the cabin from noise.

The spacious cabin rivals that of a large, luxury saloon, with the added advantage, hidden beneath the rear load space, of an extra pair of seats that pop up at the pull of a handle or two. This neat pair of seats can also face rearwards when the vehicle is stationary, for use as picnic seats with the rear hatch open.

The instruments are modern, crystal clear and illuminated in that icy blue colour that appears to be the colour of the moment.

Standard equipment levels across the range are impressive and include eight airbags, anti-lock brakes, and climate control to 17-inch alloy wheels, four-speaker CD stereo system, alarm and immobiliser.

The posh Elegance test model added leather upholstery, cruise control, dual sunroof, six-speaker radio and six-CD autochanger. But with such a long vehicle, the addition of parking sensors, at the rear at least, really ought to be standard.

With prices starting from about £18,500, what the Grandis really needed was the option of more economical diesel power. A 2.0-litre diesel model has just arrived to expand a really grand range.