With a twist... the twist being my penchant for performance cars. I mean why compromise if you don't have to?
1. Subaru Forester STI

All the practicality of an SUV with the heart of the impreza STI (i.e. the super-impreza). Need I say more? And relatively cheap compared to the opposition - just don't expect leather and walnut dash and soft touch cup holders...
2. Audi RS4 Avant

The wealthy father's choice. 420 bhp of V8 turbo power delivered through Audi's excellent new quattro system with the usual fantastic Audi interior. The car we would probably all drive if we had 50 grand to spare. Sit in an RS4 and say Wow!
3. Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Slight image problem with this one but none the less a fabulous car. Shame about the looks. Cayenne 'S's (sporty version but not as fast as the turbo) now becoming pretty affordable at about three years of age. Feel superior on the road in your porsche, just don't blame me if someone throws the odd egg at you as you whoosh past.
4. Range Rover Sport

Again, a slight image problem here. Same chassis as the new 'Disco' just powered by a supercharged V8. Usually seen driven erratically on the M25 by footballers or gangsters. To be avoided. Egg throwing rating is pretty high.
5. BMW X5

Why is it that every car I choose has a slight image problem (except the Audi)? This is the newer better faster X5. Sadly, the old model has now become affordable to all and sundry and is known either as a drug dealers mobile office or an aggressive yuppy mobile (Sorry CP !!).
6. BMW 535 D Touring

What??? I hear you say, a DIESEL in a list of performance cars. Ahh well hang on there a second, this is no ordinary diesel. The word here is 'torque'. This is a beast, a fabulous Q-car. Undercoverlover. Call it what you like, AND does high 30s mpg !
7. Mercedes C63 AMG estate 
I can only find this large shot of this beasty. This is Mercedes answer to Audi's RS4. More power and suspension tweaks from Mercedes tuning house. This ridiculously powerful car puts out 451 bhp from its V8 and re-defines the 'fast estate' category. Where will the ridiculous quest to produce the most powerful car go next??
Oh I know... see below
8. Audi RS6 Avant
Now you thought the old version RS6 Avant putting out 450 bhp from its twin turbo charged 4.2l V8 was alot? So what do you make of this:

Audi's second showing in this list and what a stunner! Only marked down by the unbelievable price tag. 5.2 L V10 engine producing some 580 bhp. You get gorgeous Audi interior and practicality with the engine from the Lambo, perhaps this replaces the RS4 as topping the wish list. Let's see how the first write ups go as older fast Audis had a reputation for outrageous pace but poor ride and handling.
9. Audi S4 Avant
Third Audi on the list. Ok I come clean and admit I have a thing about fast Audi estates. This is back in the slightly more real world.

344 bhp from a normally aspirated 4.2l V8. Fast, refined, superb interior and practical. What more could you want? perhaps some better mpg figures!
10. Porsche 911
OK I admit you might take some persuading that this is a practical family car but please bear with me.

Let's look at the evidence: Four seats? tick. Big boot? tick (as long as you don't buy the 4WD version!). Reliable? tick. Performance car? tick. If you have more than two children over the age of five then perhaps this is not the car for you but otherwise I vote this the most practical family performance car out there... with just a pinch of salt thrown in..!
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