Fiat Croma

Nearly a decade since its unloved predecessor got the chop, the new Croma might surprise a few people. While it's brave for Fiat to offer such a unique car, its roomy interior, decent refinement and relaxing handling could make it ideal for those who can't decide between a family hatch or mid-sized MPV. But the Italian firm still faces a tough battle, as rivals are better built and have more distinctive styling. It may be the best big Fiat yet, but it's unlikely to be a top-seller in the UK.

People carriers and off-roaders now come in all shapes and sizes, but traditional family hatchbacks still account for one in 10 new cars sold in the UK today.

That's enough to tempt Fiat back into what is seen as a declining sector of the market. The firm is not only launching its first large car since 1996, but also pulling the Croma badge back out of the history books. Doing our best to forget the failings of its predecessor, we took the wheel of the first example of Fiat's new flagship to hit the UK.

Based on the same platform as the Vauxhall Signum, the Croma takes on a different appearance thanks to its high roof, which is 95mm taller. Despite being designed by famed Italian styling house Giugiaro, we think the Croma is more bland than bold.

The headlights and grille are nondescript, while the high stance and the shape of the door handles give more than a hint of Chevrolet's Tacuma in profile. That's no surprise when you consider Giugiaro also designed the MPV. The Croma's Alfa-style rear lights are some compensation, while alloys are standard on all three trim levels.

Available in Dynamic, Eleganza and Prestigio specification, the big Fiat will initially come with a choice of three engines. A 2.2-litre 147bhp petrol unit is on offer alongside 120 and 150bhp versions of Fiat's 1.9-litre Multijet diesel. A 200bhp five-cylinder oil-burner will be added later this year, while an entry-level 1.8-litre 140bhp petrol unit goes on sale in January. With running costs top of family car buyers' priority lists, oil-burners are expected to account for 85 per cent of sales.

The 150bhp diesel fitted to our test car is a refined and strong performer. That said, the power band is narrow, with little response below 2,000rpm. Once the torque arrives, acceleration impresses up to 4,000rpm, but working the standard six-speed manual gearbox hard is required to get the most from the Croma. Fortunately, the shift action is light and accurate.

At speed the Fiat lets little noise into the cabin, while the ride is well controlled. Given the tall stance, the lack of body roll is a pleasant surprise. Braking performance is also strong, and with seven airbags as standard and rear side items a £300 option, there's plenty of safety kit, too. Inside, the MPV-like styling means there is a class-leading amount of space front and rear. A 500-litre capacity also allows the five-door to take more luggage than most standard hatch rivals.

What's more, with generous leg and headroom, the rear bench accommodates three people easily, while the driving position is MPV-like thanks to the lofty seat. As in the Panda and Idea, you get a high-mounted gearlever and all the controls are easy to reach.The seats themselves offer decent comfort.

Crucially, material quality is better than on other cars in the Fiat range, but examine some plastics closely and they are still sub-standard. Parts such as the fake chrome door handles also limit the feelgood factor. However, every model in the Croma range will be well equipped. The mid-spec Eleganza we tried gets climate control, 17-inch alloys, a leather steering wheel, cruise control and parking sensors as standard.

But has Fiat done enough to conquer the family car class? Convincing buyers to part with their money won't be easy, with a question mark hanging over likely residual values. However, at least the firm has proven once and for all that it can make a capable big car.