FACED with a tiring journey there are few cars better than Mazda's small people carrier, the Premacy.

The cabin is light and comfortable thanks to huge areas of glass, including deep windows and large sunroof.

Seats and door armrests are ideal to slump into, while the standard-fit aircon keep the cabin temperature just right.

The Premacy cruises happily at 100mph, along foreign motorways, I hasten to add, with neither engine, wind, not road noise to trouble you.

Suspension soaks up the bumps while being firm enough not to wallow and bump you about.

Brakes stop the car in a flash and with standard anti-lock, safely.

Extra height at the hip allows easy exists from the car seats.

The low bumper lip on the tailgate is useful to perch on and makes loading less back breaking.

The smooth and reasonably powerful engine, the easy clutch and throttle, the light steering and commanding driving position are all excellent attributes.

As people-carriers go it's not a bad drive.

It's also very versatile with seats which fold, double fold, lift out and move sideways. Baggage, bikes, long loads and people can be swallowed aplenty. The dash and fascia are attractive and being a Mazda, it's well built too. The only thing which may put some people off is that it will only carry five, not seven bodies like some of the opposition, although they can now go for the full blown MPV.

But if you are in the market for a small people-carrier, then the Premacy is as good as any.