FOR hard-working, versatile carry-alls at very reasonable prices, Fiat takes some beating.

Let's be honest, Fiat isn't afraid to do things its own way when it comes to design.

The Italian giant adds more than a dash of flair into car styling, and it's pushed practicality to a different plane with its takes on MPVs and estates.

The Multipla ripped up the shape rule book for people carriers, while the Doblo does versatility like no other.

Even the Stilo Multi Wagon states its load-carrying aim far more purposefully than other estates, as the whole look leads the eye to that large, deep, load bay.

While the latest fad for calling an estate anything but - i.e. Touring, Aerodeck, Avant, Sportwagon - shows no signs of abating, at least the Multi Wagon moniker is a much more fitting description of what the Stilo is all about.

Fiat's family estate is taller than the Stilo five-door hatchback, and the near-1,500 litres of luggage space with the rear seats down gives it more flexibility than other "lifestyle" load carriers.

A strong feature is that rear hatch door, which, apart from allowing you to open the glass area only, should you wish, seems to reach down to the bumper's bottom edge.

That low load height is great if you regularly move heavy objects around, and a further plus is the fairly flat-sided cargo area.

But will the engines cope with five passengers and a full boot?

There are four power units on offer, ranging from 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol, to 80 and 115bhp versions of Fiat's much-used 1.9-litre JTD oil burner.

All have no problems providing pulling power, and the tested 1.6-litre power is quite nimble when free of weight burdens. Top speed is 113mph, and it can accelerate to 62mph in 11.4 seconds.

With the five-speed manual gearbox nicely gated to make best low-speed use of the 103 brake horsepower, it's competent enough and not overly thirsty. But if you want to keep up with traffic when fully laden, you need to keep the clutch busy.

Extra-urban fuel consumption of this C-segment motor is 47.9mpg and, if you're looking for a comparison, the heavier Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ghia, which sits in the larger D segment, boasts a similar figure. Buyers looking for fewer fuel fill-ups should turn to the 115bhp 1.9 diesel, which returns a much healthier 61.4mpg when out of town.

All told, the Multi Wagon handles well, soaks up the bumps in a fairly bounce-free fashion, but it doesn't quite achieve what a good estate car should - to drive as well as the saloon or hatch on which it is based.

Dynamic trim, which puts the 1.6 Multi Wagon at £13,400, builds on the solid Active specification of electronic power steering, trip computer, 12-volt socket in the luggage area, central locking, anti-lock brakes and four airbags, to add electronic braking assistance, dual zone climate control, a heated - or refrigerated - glove box, a single CD player and leather steering wheel and gear lever.

Options include a five-segment sunroof, at £600, which covers the full length of the roof and completely slides to the rear of the car when opened.

The Multi Wagon makes for a very capable package but the comfortable cabin has one little let-down. Minor controls need a serious second look - they're scattered around too much, and are far too fiddly.

Prices for the Fiat Stilo Multi Wagon range from less than £12,000 for the 1.6 Active, to £14,400 for the 1.9JTD Dynamic.

For more details, contact Alan Gibson Fiat, in Old Basing, on 01256 355221.