Fashion and function are not always the happiest bedfellows - you only need to look at the MPVs to see that.

Despite being some of the most versatile and practical machines on the road (MPV means ‘Multi-Purpose Vehicle’ after all), people carriers have had an unhappy lot recently.

With SUVs continuing to surge ahead in the sales charts, worthy people carriers are falling by the wayside as buyers clamour for street cred and a little ‘lifestyle’ sparkle instead.

In the last few years, we've lost the Ford S-Max, Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Sharan to name but a few. Yet despite becoming marginalized, the MPV hasn’t slipped into obscurity just yet.

Moreover, for many large families with busy schedules, there’s still no substitute for these rational and thoughtfully designed machines that put people and practicality at the heart of what they do.

Thanks to an extremely efficient use of space, they usually offer more value than vehicles with a similar footprint. They also tend to be packed with surprise-and-delight features that take the stress out of transporting families.

Traditionally MPVs are seen as seven-seaters, but the sector also includes five-seat models, and some even go up to nine seats. That's perfect for those who never need to carry extra passengers but do want the space and thoughtful design.

Increasingly, the class is seeing the arrival of van-based models, their boxy bodies and no-nonsense engineering making them the ultimate utilitarian family holdalls.

But which are the best? Here's our top ten MPVs and people carriers...

Top ten MPVs and people carriers