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alltorque Comfort- and style-wise, the Tarago Ultima ticks all the boxes, thanks to its leather-accented interior underscored by woodgrain-look highlights. Then there are the power doors and windows, multi-CD stacker, front and rear moonroofs and, for passengers, a drop-down DVD player. What's more, the Tarago Ultima's 3.5-litre V6 engine has all the get-up-and-go you need in the city or on the open highway. Even when we hit a bit of bad weather, it handled beautifully. For those interested in touring, as a highway ride the Tarago Ultima is excellent. However, its tow capacity and limited torque really mean you'd best not try hauling anything larger than a camper trailer. If the $80,000 price tag doesn't worry you, the Tarago Ultima is a plush people mover truly worth considering. People-moving challenge It's fine to choose a people mover like Toyota's Tarago Ultima, but if you and six mates have a hankering for a little off-road action, you might want to consider the Mitsubishi Challenger. The Challenger is an SUV with the same people-moving capacity as the Tarago Ultima, but with the entire animal grunt you need to tackle life off-road. It comes in all manner of configurations, from the 2WD base model that is an SUV-shaped sedan, to the true people-moving 4WD seven-seater. This is a proper workhorse, with the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve intercooled turbo common rail diesel engine providing the power you need to get out and about in most places. And the automatic box in the Challenger that I trialled was made better thanks to a very convenient paddle shift in sports mode. Torque-wise, the Challenger is adequate, producing a little less torque and less power than the Toyota Prado, but with a higher tow rating. That suggests it is a versatile SUV with the ability to put seven backsides on seats and still haul a medium-sized caravan or trailer. Perhaps the downside is the fuel economy of about 14L/100km on the test vehicle. "Although it lacks frills, the Hyundai iMax will move a mob of mates with ease and provide a comfortable ride to boot." When it comes to styling, the Challenger is a smart and elegant rig, especially on the inside, where its leather and woodprint finish really set it off. With its ability to lug seven mates through the wilderness or carry half the cricket team to practice, the Challenger, at just over $60,000 for the top of the range, is a laudable and chic SUV that knows how to carry people in comfort. heave your volleyball team, net and ball to fixtures in the hinterland easily. When it comes to people-moving, there's no doubt this plain Jane knows how to do the job, and beautifully. It's an honest machine with all the right stuff, or at least enough of the stuff that counts. Priced at about $32,000, the iMax merits considering. Bulk battler If luxury and off-road fearlessness are not your priority, consider the Hyundai iMax. As an eight-seater this is a no-frills commercial vehicle professing to be a family-sized people mover ready to carry the whole family and one or two extras around town or along the highway. Better still, after you quiet the madding crowd you've just tumbled into the iMax, there's enough room left over for a little luggage. And that's rare for many people movers. On the upside, the iMax looks handsome if not elegant. Although it lacks frills, it will move a mob of mates with ease and provide a comfortable ride to boot. And when you boil it down, that's what you want. Although not a speedster, the diesel variety produces a respectable 343Nm of torque at reasonably low revs, so it will Opposite page, from top: The smart Mitsubishi Challenger; Toyota Tarago Ultima's interior, complete with woodgrain accents, and the stylish exterior. This page, from top: Mitsubishi Challenger's interior; the roomy Hyundai iMax. 45