The Ford Grand C-MAX seven-seat compact MPV has been spruced up with sharper styling, more efficient engines and a whole host of clever technological highlights.

The 1.5-litre diesel engine is sure to vanish out of showrooms fast, so you might need to move quickly there.

What other options are there for those who relish a decent drive and need seven-seat practicality?

If asked what sort of MPV we’d recommend, we’d normally ask “do you like driving?” and if the answer came back positive, the answer has tended to be a Ford C-MAX - or the 7-seat ‘Grand’ version if you need the extra space.

It seems simple but that right there is the big draw card of the Grand C-MAX.

It’s a car that operates in the distress purchase sector of the market, where it’s needed rather than wanted, but still manages to bring an element of surprise and delight.

The sheer joy of realising that MPV ownership needn’t be boring is something to behold.

This time round with this improved MK1 model, Ford has paid particular attention to improving refinement.

Noise, vibration and harshness have been improved through the use of thicker side glass and more absorbent seals around the tailgate and rear view mirror.

If you’re in the market for a seven-seat MPV, you can’t afford to leave the Ford Grand C-MAX off your shortlist.

For many buyers, it’ll be on a shortlist of one because they want a vehicle that can do the family duties but still feel reassuringly car-like to drive.

That apparently simple requirement is beyond virtually every other rival and is the reason why the Grand C-MAX continues to rack up huge sales.

The updates to the latest car hinge around improving refinement on the road, building in more high-tech features and bringing us ever-more pragmatic engines.

The running costs of this seven-seater now mirror what you’d have forked out for a Fiesta only a few years ago.

The 1.5-litre diesel is probably going to be the biggest seller in the UK but don’t overlook the 1.0-litre powerplant if you’re a low-mileage driver, the Ford is still going to be the default choice.