Once you start checking out MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles), it marks the transition to your next phase in life as a family man or mum. But there’s no need to fret about driving an ugly, monstrous car to move your brood from place to place. You can still keep your stylish image, as MPVs today can be sporty, streamlined and even elegant.

Here are some of the things you should be looking out for when choosing an MPV.

If you don’t plan to have kids, or are just sticking to one, a saloon should suffice. But if you intend to add to the brood and hire a maid along the way, it may be wiser to get a larger car now or be prepared to change cars along the way.

MPVs are a good choice for families because they can carry seven to eight passengers, have easy access through big sliding doors and easy-to-reach cargo areas. Another appealing factor is their versatility and ability to carry various combinations of people and cargo.

Sports utility vehicles or SUVs may be an alternative to MPVs in terms of size but they need not necessarily be designed for the family in mind. Young children and older folk may find it hard to get in and out of SUVs because these vehicles ride higher off the ground. Loading groceries, strollers, and other bulky items into an SUV can also be more difficult because of the height of the loading area.

All MPVs can seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the seat configuration. The second-row seats can come as captain’s chairs or a bench. A bench offers more seating space, but captain’s chairs are comfortable and allow for easy passage to the third row.

Some MPV models have rear-sliding doors that can be electronically opened with a button on the key fob or an interior switch. This is particularly useful if your hands are full carrying packages or small children to the vehicle.

MPVs offer the boot space for those who regularly need to transport a mountain of groceries, bulky outdoor sporting equipment or DIY home-improvement paraphernalia. They usually have wider rear openings and lower floors than SUVs, which make loading easier.

A split design in the back row seats that allow one side to be folded separately from the other is useful for carrying extra-long items. Check whether the third seat can be removed completely or folded down when not needed, and how easily it can be done.

As a general rule, the larger the vehicle, the lower its fuel economy. MPVs generally have better mileage than SUVs, but even within the same engine capacity category, the fuel-economy of different models can vary.

Besides the usual front passenger airbags and anti-lock braking system, you should check if the MPV offers extras like side airbags for the back passengers and rear video system which activates when the reverse gear is engaged.