REPEATING the success of the much-acclaimed Panda was never going to be easy for Fiat.

But the Idea is a safe, solid second model to add to the range. It won't put off existing Fiat fans and there's every chance that people new to the brand will be interested.

That the Italian car maker chose to release the Panda's big brother while the Car of the Year was still enjoying a honeymoon period was a brave move. If it hoped that some of the creative magic of the little car would rub off on the bigger model, then it was right.

Boasting a light and airy, yet roomy, interior plus a purposeful exterior profile, the Idea clearly sings from the same song sheet as the Panda. It is aimed at buyers who have moved on from frisky little urban runabouts and are seeking something with a greater cubic inch count.

The enlarged capacity is in the cabin, not under the bonnet, as Fiat offers the Idea with a surprisingly modest pair of engines. You get a choice of one of each - petrol and diesel. The former is an eager, if a little too vocal at times, 16-valve 1.4-litre unit pushing out 95bhp, that also powers the firm's Punto. Ditto for the latter, a willing 70bhp, 1.3-litre lump. Don't let its horsepower count put you off though, as it's more than capable of lugging you, your family and all its clobber up hill and down dale.

It would be wrong to go any further without describing how the Idea looks. Thankfully, despite the obvious temptation to create the Idea in the image of the Panda, Fiat stylists have given the larger car a warmer personality. Granted, it has a similar profile, but edges are rounded, exterior lines and creases have been softened, and there's a quarterlight arrangement ahead of the side mirrors.

The Idea's family-friendly dimensions promote an impression of a car that appears broad-shouldered and squat - despite its obvious abundance of cabin headroom thanks to its tall roofline. It's more large hatchback than conventional compact MPV in appearance, which is no bad thing in a world where every other car is either a bloated seven-seat indulgence or a too-small-to-be-practical wardrobe on wheels.

We live in an age where functionality is king. The most beautiful piece of cabin architecture will quickly become redundant if there's nowhere to put your mobile phone. To be in the running, these are the features that must be standard from the start - lots of headroom, lofty driving position, countless cubbyholes, decent rear legroom, a flexible seating arrangement for that active lifestyle and the odd party trick thrown in such as a full-length glass sunroof.

To its credit, the Idea possesses all of these attributes. The sunroof might not be standard across the range, but the rest need no introduction. As a result, the cabin exudes a light and airy feel.

Three models are available - Active, Dynamic and Eleganza. Safety-wise, ABS and twin front airbags are standard across the range, with rear parking sensors and ISOFIX child seat mounts fitted to both the Dynamic and Eleganza. The latter also gets side and window airbags.

The Idea's handling is more sure-footed than some "proper" MPVs and, although its steering won't encourage you to explore the limits of your favourite B-road, the Idea's helm is direct and quick-witted where it counts - around town.

The driving position is comfortable and adjustable while the experience is boosted by the raised location of the gearlever.

Many will think the Idea's positioning between the hatch and MPV markets makes it a compromise but the fact that this Fiat will do everything you ask of it without complaint is worth more than any inaccessible folding third row of seats.

For more information, call Alan Gibson Fiat on 01256 355221.