Secret family cars of 2006 - What the newcomers have to beat

VW Passat
Volkswagen’s new family car has taken all the strengths of the previous model and improved on its few weaknesses. It’s even bigger than the old car, giving excellent room for passengers and luggage, but the real improvement is in how it drives: it’s now a nimble and alert sports saloon, with a fine ride and refinement that can rival genuine executive saloons.

Toyota Avensis
The Avensis is one of those quietly efficient cars that go about their business without any fuss or drama. You get the legendary Toyota quality and reliability, of course, but the Avensis is also a supremely practical car, with a large cabin and boot. To cap it all, it has a five-star safety rating, high equipment levels and a fine drive.

Vauxhall Vectra
Forget the pasting that previous Vectras received. The latest model is a very different beast: an excellent family car, with space inside for five and a boot to match. Refinement and quality are both superb and, following 2005’s suspension revisions, the car now deserves praise for its sharp handling as well as the comfortable ride it has always had.