Item: Used Peugeot 206 SW 1998 - 2009
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Estate

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

The Peugeot 206 SW is a capable mini-estate, but it shares the hatchback's shortcomings, especially the driving position

Used Peugeot 206 SW 1998 - 2009

Here lies the 206's big strength. You can pick one up for peanuts, and the estate version will cost you only a little bit more than the five-door hatchback version.

Fuel economy is pretty good as well. All but the 2.0-litre petrol will deliver at least 40mpg on average, while both the diesel engines will deliver upwards of 50mpg.

Insurance costs aren't bad.

The 206 SW will cost you a good deal less to service than the equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, and if you take it to an independent garage rather than a Peugeot franchised dealer the hourly rates will be almost halved.

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The Peugeot 206 SW is a capable mini-estate, but it shares the hatchback's shortcomings, especially the driving position

You're best off with the 110bhp 1.6 HDi engine, which is powerful and punchy. However, this appeared only in later cars.

If you're considering an earlier model then plump for the 2.0 HDi. You only get 90bhp, but that's better than you'll get from most of the petrol engines in the range, and it's enough to make decent progress while still giving good fuel economy.

Don't bother with the 1.1 or 1.4 petrol engines - they're just too slow. The 1.6 and 2.0 petrols are much better, but the diesel gives more low-down punch and better running costs. There's also a 1.4 diesel - it's not bad, but you'll enjoy yourself more with the bigger diesel.

Low-spec models don't get that much in the way of kit, especially in early cars, but XT trim will give you all you need.

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

According to Warranty Direct, the 206's reliability record isn't bad at all. It's not quite on a par with a Ford Fiesta or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n33">Vauxhall Corsa</a> of the same age, but it's well above average.

Electrical problems account for almost half of all reported faults, and much of this will be down to a dodgy central locking system that packs up on a lot of cars.

If you do take a chance on the 1.1 - and we suggest you don't - watch out for the catalytic converter, as it's prone to problems. Suspension and brake wear also seem to be especially heavy on the higher powered models, including the diesels.

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The main reason the 206 hatchback proved so popular was its chic look, but unfortunately, the same can't be said of the Peugeot 206 SW. The cute appearance has been lost in the transition to estate car, but sadly, most of the hatchback's shortcomings weren't.

The worst thing is the driving position. Many drivers will find it totally impossible to get comfy because of the odd positioning of the driver's seat relative to the steering wheel. The cabin isn't particularly spacious, either, and the interior design is dowdy compared to some rivals.

Then again, it isn't all doom and gloom. As well as providing a well-shaped boot, the estate also provides better headroom for rear passengers. It's cheap to buy, too, and if you pick the right engine it's cheap to run.

On top of that, the chassis is nimble and still manages to provide a supple ride at all but low speeds. However, there's too much road noise and the smaller engines aren't refined enough at speed.

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Used Peugeot 206 SW 1998 - 2009 review

Every 2021 Electric and Hybrid Car Awards winner

Used Peugeot 206 SW 1998 - 2009 review

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