'Easy and graceful in motion or shape'.

That's a definition of 'fluent', a word I found in some of Mitsubishi's PR material relating to its new Grandis.

I spend far too much of my editing time taking out that kind of stuff, but I'm inclined to leave this one in. After a week with Mitsubishi's latest MPV I find it a really smooth vehicle, in both style and performance.

Available as a 6- or 7-seater, the Grandis is positioned in the large people-carrier segment, and at the upper end of that.

And its claim to difference is plain to see: it is one of the most distinctive of its genre, with only Toyota's Previa coming close to it for looks. And that one has been around for a good while, so it doesn't look strange any more.

Strong curves and futuristic detail elements mean that Mitsubishi has come in from the stylistic Arctic.

There's no maker's name on the outside of the car, which possibly represents a belief by Mitsubishi that the three diamonds symbol is identification enough. That's as it may be. But maybe it doesn't matter. Because Grandis is likely to be enough of its own identification.

So, what have we? Well, not a capacity or volumetric better than, say, the Ford Galaxy benchmark in the large segment.

And yet, something much more than the Spacewagon which it replaces (though Mitsubishi says it doesn't really).

It shares a part of the Spacewagon's concept, though, by having a roofline that is lower than the average large MPV, so that Grandis is something of a crossover between an MPV and a luxury estate.

It is also very long, and that too is part of its distinctivity.

The seating configurations are the real important parts of MPVs, and the Grandis is unique (so far) in its particular class by having foldaway rear seats, an area where the compact MPVs have led the field.

These deserve special mention, not just because of the ease with which they flip into the floor and leave a large flat luggage area, but also for the way they are 'reversible', and can be used to sit with legs dangling over the rear while having a picnic — the raised tailgate makes a good shelter if the weather is too sunny or too wet.

The review car was the 6-seater — the 7-seater is actually cheaper — and all seats proved to be very comfortable. Little tables in the backs of the front seats are retained in place by hydraulic struts, which means there's absolutely no danger of them swinging closed. It is just one element of the attention to detail which Mitsubishi has spent on this car.

Another is cosmetic, but it is a nice idea nevertheless: switch on the ignition and the instrument dials light up in a kind of coloury sequence that is attractive. And a good word or two must be made for the size and usability of the aircon controls.

The driving position is relatively high, but the steering wheel is nicely angled, and there are no difficulties in achieving a decent setup. The autobox shifter is dashboard mounted, and as it has a sequential manual facility I found it fell very neatly to hand when I wanted to use this.

I sat in the middle row to see if there was room for six-footers and found there was — just. The lowish roof is compounded by the electric sunroof intrusion and my thin hair did touch to the top until I reclined the seatback a little. Access to the two rearmost seats is easy, a one-handed operation neatly tipping the centre seat out of the way.

Driving the Grandis is a very pleasant experience, its low centre of gravity contributing to a car-like handling on even the twistiest of roads.

The engine is large, a 2.4-litre petrol unit with 165hp on demand, and for the Irish tax and insurance regime, somewhat an expensive luxury. But it makes running with a full load of people a doddle. And with a combined cycle fuel consumption of more than 31mpg, it is not exceptionally thirsty.

A turbodiesel is promised for the end of next year, and when it comes that should help the Grandis make a greater impression on the Irish sales stats.

Overall, this is a very good new offering from Mitsubishi. I expect to see an increasing number of them rolling out over the next year or so.

Even though, at around the €39,000 mark, buyers will need to be affluent to be fluent ...