MATRIX usually means a mould, an original which leads to a lot of copies, so with the existing collection of mini-MPVs it's a strange name for Hyundai to choose for its late addition.

Renault's Scenic was the real matrix which spawned this whole new sector of the motor industry, and most makers have now decided whether to join the trend.

Vauxhall was one of the first to take up the idea with the Astra-based Zafira, and other makers followed: Nissan used the Almera base for its Tino.

The most notable is Citroen's Picasso, which arrived in summer 2000 and has soared through the charts to become the UK's top seller in this sector.

And to keep it at the top of the pile, Citroen has now launched the Picasso Exclusive, just a little smarter than the original.

Though Renault's Scenic does have a rounded rear roofline to ease the van-like appearance, the Picasso takes it a stage further.

Sleek, graceful lines: a sweeping-curve profile and low waistline, and teardrop headlamps.

And inside, the styling and fittings are in a class of their own. The living space is filled, neatly, with every possible gadget families are likely to need, and the makers claim the Picasso has the most spacious interior in its class.

It also claims the largest boot 25 per cent bigger than any of its key rivals and here you find the 'Modu-box', a trolley to carry shopping, holiday items or dirty things like garden supplies.

With the Picasso and Zafira being so successful, it might seem pointless for Ford after much indecision to come up with their own mini-MPV the Fusion, to be based on the new Fiesta which doesn't arrive until spring.

Oddly, Ford already had a mini-MPV in its fold from Mazda (which Ford controls, as it did when it produced the original Mondeo in 1993, based on Mazda's 626, and the Probe, based on the Mazda MX6.

Mazda launched its own mini-MPV, the Premacy, two years ago. It didn't seem a bad car but it has never made much impact. Now it has been updated: the suspension is more refined, the body stiffer, and it is all less noisy.

The 1.8 petrol engine and the 2.0-litre diesel now get an additional 130bhp 2-litre GSi petrol model (£14,495), and another £1,000 turns it into a Sport model with body-styling kit and dynamic stability control.

The car's looks have also been tidied-up inside and out, but Mazda makes the strongest claims about its low running costs (servicing and repairs) and low fuel consumption the 1.8 gives 33mpg overall.

But the company is struggling. Sales in Britain its second best territory are down nearly 40 per cent on last year, and by the end of October sales of its whole range were just over 11,000. (Citroen's sales of the Picasso alone are over 45,000 this year.)

Ford has now put its James Muir in charge to sort out the mess. This will mean some changes of dealerships, but the main problem is

to get the Mazda name better known. A £2m advertising push starts in January, using the phrase 'zoom-zoom'.

The updated Premacy will help, but the first real key to a new future lies with the new 6 saloon which will replace the 626 in June.