Used Mazda 626 Estate 1997 - 2002 review

This estate has a longer wheelbase and higher roof than its hatch and saloon sisters. But, even though it's a bigger car, we recommend you go for the less powerful (and cheaper) of the 2.0-litre petrol engines. The 113bhp motor is just as refined as the 136bhp version and does a decent enough job of hauling the 626 around.

By comparison, the 90bhp 1.8 petrol just hasn't got enough grunt, and even the 99bhp 2.0 turbodiesel isn't up to the job. Even if it was, it's too rattly for our liking.