WHEN is an estate car not an estate car? Not such a daft question as it might sound in a day and age when car makers try to outdo each other with so-called lifestyle tags for what are basically carry-alls.
For example, in Audi-speak, the estate car bows in as the Avant, the BMW holdall is referred to as the Touring, the Rover 75 load lugger is the Tourer, and so the list goes on. You can have a Wagon or even a SportWagon - so where can you find a plain old estate car?
Look no further than Peugeot. The French manufacturer is quite content to coninue to play the numbers game which has done it proud for so many years so the load lugging version of the 406 becomes, quite simply, the 406 Estate.
Recently, I took to the roads in the facelifted model, a carry-all which first arrived in the UK marketplace more than six years ago, following the launch of its saloon stablemate 12 months earlier.
Since 1997, the Peugeot 406 Estate has justifiably earned a reputation as a wagon par excellence, the car more than fulfilling the accepted holdall definition of a vehicle with a well thought out, spacious interior that is as effective on the road as its saloon or hatchback counterpart.
However, like its stablemate, the years have begun to age the 406 Estate somewhat.The car was beginning to fall behind its contemporaries in the image stakes. So, in the spring of this year, Peugeot introduced a new-look to the range.
There are now four trim levels, L, S, SE and Exectutive from which to choose, all coming with a generous level of spec, while there are a quintet of engine options - three petrol, 1.8, 2.0 and a two-litre 143bhp which is exclusive to the Executive model, plus a brace of diesels, the 110bhp two-litre HDi and the 136bhp 2.2-litre HDi.
The test car had the SE trim and, in a range which comes with black and white satellite navigation as standard issue from the S level upwards, it comes extremely well equipped, with digital air con, electric windows all round, heated electric folding door mirrors, trip computer and some very useful door sill lighting leading the way.
Like all versions of the 406 range, the SE also comes with aluminium finish to the central fascia and door inserts, while the dashboard is further enhanced by a five-dial instrument set-up with white-faced dials, giving an overall look of user friendliness.
New, much more serviceable seat fabrics add to the ambience in an extremely roomy cabin which provides masses of space for its occupants while the hugely accommodating load area can easily swallow a fmaily's luggage.
Seating is extremely long-haul friendly in all parts, with an agreeable driving position on the SE swiftly arrived at via the electrical seat adjustment, which also extends to the front passenger seat, while there are also more than enough places in which to "lose" things on board. The leather-covered steering wheel houses cruise and sound system controls.
The 406 Estate SE gives notice of its roadway intent immediately on start-up.
Mounted on 16-inch alloys, the test car was driven by the 2.2-litre HDi, latest generation common rail diesel power unit which does full justice to the 136bhp label on the box. Not only whisking you along from 0-62mph in a little over 10 seconds, en route to a maximum, where legally allowable, of 125mph, but also it does its work in extremely economical fashion.
It's torquey, too, with 235lb ft available at 2000rpm, and even when loaded, driven sensibly there is the promise of more than 40 miles per gallon over the combined drive cycle.
The ride is extremely refined providing comfort in all parts, the relaxing and accurate suspension set-up also provides driving pleasure of the highest order while ABS braking and Electronic Brake Force Distribution are on hand to assist the unwise and the unwary.
Overall, the 406 Estate still provides all the necessary ingredients for enjoyably economical family motoring, fully justifying the definitive spacious and versatile tag of the carry-all genre.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 406 Estate 2.2 HDi
Price: £18,300
Mechanical: 136bhp, 2179cc 4 cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 125mph
0-62mph: 10.5secs
Combined mpg: 43.5
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 170g/km
BiK rating: 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust