SURPRISE performer in the burgeoning MPV market, amid such well-known favourites as Ford's Galaxy and the Renault Espace, is the lesser-known budget entry from Kia the Sedona, pictured left.

In the first half of this year the Korean challenger has become the third best-seller, racing ahead of such established models as Chrysler's Voyager, VW Sharan and Seat Alhambra.

The Sedona is priced from £14,000 a good £4,000 less than more mainstream rivals and when we drove this low-cost version last year it inevitably seemed less sophisticated. The main grumble was the clattery diesel engine.

Now Kia has launched its revised versions for 2002, and the three

models will include a new 143bhp common-rail injection diesel engine "the most powerful diesel MPV on the market," says Kia.

It also gets removeable seats for the first time, strangely enough plus aircraft-style tables in the seat backs and rain-sensing wipers.

Visual changes include a revised front grille, replacing the rather fierce appearance in earlier models, along with new-look bumper and headlamp clusters, and a wider rear window.

But that's not all. On the basis that 1.7 million car journeys a year are less than one mile, Kia is giving a free bicycle with every Sedona.