Colour does amazing things to one's perception of a car. Fiat gave me a bright green Qubo to test drive and test my ability to live in the green zone for some time. Once I was over the colour shock, I could begin to look more seriously at what the car had to offer. This small MPV is based on Fiat's small Fiorino van, so for starters you know where it's coming from.

The emphasis is on small car style, while being both functional and practical. And it serves those two masters well. The Qubo has lots of space. There is good headroom and a big practical boot with a big hatch-type door that opens up to provide some shelter. Just don't back into a car parking space if you intend to fill it.

For that you can rely on the twin sliding doors and they work well. Rear passengers will complain about the fact that opening the rear windows needs a lesson, but that is often a feature of small sliding door van conversions where windows often take the form of vents rather than big openings.

Fiat's impressive Multijet 1.3 litre turbo-diesel engine is another plus for the Qubo. The engine is both lively and economical. It's an engine that's at its best in a modest car like the Qubo. The acceleration pace is relatively slow, but well matched to the style and economy ambitions of the car. The 0 to 100km/hr acceleration pace is 16.5 seconds; that's comparable with competition such as the Ford Fusion and Renault Kangoo Kar.

The Qubo has a five speed gearbox the pace feels lively. There's just about enough torque to allow the car to accelerate smoothly for its size. The practical side of the Qubo is reflected in its economy. You'll be impressed as I was in the fuel economy level that can deliver a combined fuel economy figure of 4.5 litres/100km (63mpg). And the 45 litre means that you can get good range without stopping.

There are not many equivalent cars that can match this. Ford's slightly ageing Ford Fusion, with its 1.4 litre turbo-diesel engine, is equally thrifty but not as practical or spacious. The Qubo is more economical than the Renault Kangoo Kar, which has similar looks.