Used Volkswagen Touran cars for sale or finance at 10.9% APR

The Touran comes in one version only – a five-door, seven-seater MPV with a large, hatchback-style boot lid.

Keep an eye out for SEL versions with extra chrome trim and R-Line models with sporty alloys and a sharp-looking body kit.

If you're shopping at this end of the market, it might also be worth looking at the Touran's bigger sibling, the Volkswagen Sharan, which has a slightly larger boot and a touch more room in the third row.

The Touran measures in just a shade over 4.5 metres long. While that's not exactly compact – taking up a little more space on the road than a Volkswagen Golf, for example – it's remarkably small considering how much cabin space the Touran offers. We'd suggest hunting down at least an SE-spec car that includes standard-fit parking sensors to take the hassle out of manoeuvring.

Inside, the Touran is simply massive. There's loads of space for very tall adults in the first and second rows, and you should be able to fit kids or shorter adults in the third row without anyone grazing their knees. Cargo space is either 'good', 'excellent' or 'ludicrous' depending on how many seating rows you have folded down.

There's just enough grunt in the entry-level petrol and diesel engines that you needn't upgrade to the more powerful units if your budget can't accommodate it.

That said, we think the Touran feels more relaxed on the road, especially when driving on the motorway, with either the 150hp 1.4/1.5-litre petrol engine, or the 150hp 2.0-litre diesel engine. These have the extra grunt to make light work of the car when it's loaded to the brim with passengers and cargo.

Volkswagen's DSG automatic gearboxes are widely offered with the more powerful engines and we think they suit the Touran's relaxed, easy-to-drive character.

Volkswagen tends to perform mid-table in reliability surveys. Nevertheless, most of the parts and engines used in the Touran are widely shared across the VW-Group, so sourcing replacements shouldn't be a problem.

You can maximise your Touran's reliability by keeping on top of scheduled maintenance. In addition, consider adding an extended warranty when you buy your car to protect from unexpected electrical or mechanical repair costs.

Buyers in this segment need practicality above all else and, in that regard, the Touran is an excellent car. There's loads of room for a cabin full of tall adults, along with Isofix mounting points on every seat in the second and third row giving parents plenty of options when setting up child seats.

Then, the Touran follows up by being devastatingly sensible – it's easy to drive, easy to use and easy to get in and out of.

This reveals perhaps the car's sole weakness – it knows how to appeal to the head but does little for the heart. The cabin's a bit dull and the driving experience is firmly set to 'soothe' rather than 'thrill'.