The Mitsubishi Space Star may well be the dullest-looking MPV money can buy. And in an age where looks count, that is bad news. Very bad, because beneath those uninspiring lines lurks a surprisingly good car. Sharing the same platform as the Volvo S40, the Space Star offers one of the nicest drives you can have in an MPV.

Introduced to Britain in January 1999, the Space Star was available with a choice of 1.3, 1.6 or 1.8 petrol engines. In a car weighing 2,755lb and with the capacity to carry five adults and luggage, the meagre 1.3 litre petrol is best avoided. The larger 1.6 offers a bit more punch but the pick of the crop is the 1.8 litre. It pumps out 112bhp, hits 62mph in a shade over 10sec and still returns fuel economy that is within a couple of mpg of its less powerful siblings.

For such a compact car — it’s almost 5in shorter than a VW Golf — the interior room is amazing. There are 450 litres of luggage space, growing to a cavernous 1,370 litres with the 60:40 dividing rear seat down.

But unlike many of its MPV competitors, the Space Star doesn’t boast much in the form of innovation. You won’t find picnic tables on the seat backs, huge sliding sunroofs or clever removable seats. This is a no-frills MPV. And on entry level models the list of standard equipment is pretty meagre. You get power steering, driver’s airbag and central locking but, woefully, no ABS.

So buying the right engine and trim combination is critical. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi’s naming policy has never been great (it makes a car called a Carisma, after all). With a choice of GLX, Equippe, Mirage, Classic, GL, Resolution and GLX SE — it’s all too easy to become confused, and optional extras muddy the waters still further. Buyers should pay less attention to the badge and instead check the used car over carefully, making sure that valuable items such as air-conditioning and ABS are present.

Once behind the wheel of the Space Star, its real appeal begins to emerge. The classic MPV high roof, low windows and deep screen combination gives the cabin a sense of space. The gearchange is light and precise, the steering is nicely weighted and the brakes are strong. In short, in the land of the MPV, the Space Star is a hoot to drive.

However, the Space Star’s trump card is its durability. The dashboard and trim may be a little dowdy but are virtually indestructible.

In June 2002 the Space Star received a freshening facelift — new headlights and bumpers, revised dashboard and modified suspension. But the changes were subtle and the later cars have done little to dent the desirability of the earlier model on the second-hand market.

Last May the Space Star finally became available with a diesel engine. The 1.9 unit is strong and frugal but buyers will need to wait another six months before used examples appear on the market in any numbers.

If you want a practical, economical, no-frills MPV that is genuinely good to drive, then the Space Star is a used car to be reckoned with.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model: Mitsubishi Space Star GDI
Engine: Four-cylinder, 1,834cc
Power: 112bhp
Transmission: Five-speed, manual
Fuel: 38.7mpg (combined)
Acceleration: 0 to 62mph: 10.3sec
Top speed: 118mph


Electric front windows: Anti-trap system stops windows closing if obstructed by fingers

Facelift: June 2002 facelift was minor, but the suspension revisions make these later cars even more fun to drive

Engine: Avoid the 1.3 litre engine, which has to work too hard to move the 2,755 lb body

Safety: Space Star achieved three stars in Euro NCAP testing

Antilock braking: Not standard on all models

Security: Central locking and immobiliser are standard

Tyres: Check inside tread on front tyres as they are prone to wear

Rear seat: Slides fore and aft and has reclining backrest

Service history: Popular as a minicab, so a full history is essential to ensure genuine mileage

Air-conditioning: Standard only on some models but increases desirability

Rear bumper: Prone to scratches when loading boot area

Towbars: 1.8 petrol and 1.9 diesel are popular towcars and may have had a hard life. Even if there's no bar, check beneath for signs that one has been removed

Warranty: New cars come with three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty

THE ONE TO BUY

Mitsubishi Space Star 1.8 GDI Elegance manual gearbox, 2000 X-reg with 30,000 miles. Pay £6,275 at a dealer with a 12-month warranty, or £5,250 privately.



OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

2000 X-reg Citroèn Picasso 1.6i LX
2000 W-reg Renault Mégane Scénic
2000 V-reg Fiat Multipla 100 16V SX
1999 V-reg Mercedes-Benz A140 Classic
1999 T-reg Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Comfort

VALUES: Mitsubishi Space Star 1.8 GDI Elegance



Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. 'Trade' is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; 'retail' is what you would pay a dealer