PEUGEOT are rather like the current Arsenal football team.
The Gunners make football look easy. Peugeot produce best-selling cars with similar ease.
Their vehicles are so obviously winners - I'm sure other manufacturers must look on enviously and think "Why didn't we think of that."
Take the 206. Peugeot has done a terrific job in keeping it looking sleek through the transition from hatchback to SW estate. The more you take in the lines, the more you appreciate how much work the design department has put in.
There are eye-catching curves everywhere - even the roof rails are smart, and the doors have clearly been very carefully shaped.
It's not only eye-catching, it's cleverly designed too. Peugeot describes the SW as "a car the size of a conventional hatchback, boasting the practicality of an estate".
The SW takes up only a little more road than a conventional 206, but it's significantly taller and has generous luggage space. It may be a bit of a sweat to be comfortable while travelling long distances with family suitcases, but it coped easily with our family's weekly shop - no mean feat!
One nice touch is that the rear window can be opened separately from the rest of the tailgate, so you can have awkward loads sticking out if necessary. However, it is not flawless. I do have misgivings about the rear window being so very heavily tinted.
True, it makes it very difficult to see into the luggage area, which is no doubt good for security. The only problem is that when you're sitting in the car it's also very difficult to see what's behind you. It's not too bad during the day, but at night I found clear vision quite a strain.
I also wasn't keen on the side window adjuster buttons being at the end of the central console, and found myself having to look down to find them - not advisable on busy roads.
However, on the plus side there is so much to appreciate. The seats in particular are very comfortable and have terrific side support which helps you remain comfortable on long journeys.
The increase in size compared with the hatchback doesn't appear emphasised in the back seat area, but the front is satisfyingly airy and spacious. That is where the improved headroom and extra bit of shoulder width is noticeable.
The handling is top notch, too. The SW grips as well and corners as nimbly as far sportier cars. It has a refreshingly light touch and is an effortless drive.
The 2.0 litre diesel engine under the bonnet of my test vehicle had plenty of torque and power when needed. It's distinctly throaty when first turned on, but generally quiet during journeys. However, I was aware of an occasional faint, high-pitched whistle but could not detect where it was coming from.
Official fuel consumption figures on the challenging combined cycle are more than 53 mpg - sufficiently impressive for anyone with economy as a priority.
Built in the UK, in such vast numbers that we export them to France for home consumption, the 206 regularly features among the UK's top ten best-selling cars.
With its looks, style and performance, it's easy to see why it is considered one of the most credible hatchbacks, particularly among younger buyers.
The SW shape also hints at solidity and reliability, which will help ensure its success among more mature drivers.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 206SW DT 2.0HDi
Price: £13,695
Mechanical: 90bhp, 1,997cc 4 cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd gearbox
Max speed: 112mph
0-60mph: 12.3 secs
Combined mpg: 53.3
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 144g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust