KIA OPTIMA SPORTSWAGON (2016-19)

Roomy and practical, this is a good choice for towing a medium-sized van, says Euan Doig

YES, THE WORLD has indeed gone SUV mad these days, it would appear, but for some tow car buyers, those high-riding pseudo-off-roaders simply don’t push the right buttons. In which case, an estate car would make a great option.

If that’s your situation, and you’re also on the lookout to bag a bargain-priced load-lugger that might even have some of the original manufacturer’s warranty outstanding, the Kia Optima Sportswagon is likely to be a pretty fine choice.

What’s it like inside?

Big. As in really big. The two people in the front seats get a huge amount of legroom and headroom, and the seats adjust every which way, so getting comfortable should be no problem at all.

The good news continues in the back, where there’s enough height and width for three six-footers to sit in comfort, even if your campsite is far away.