Used Peugeot 406 Saloon 1996 - 2004 review

The Peugeot 406 is a big cruiser with a pillow-soft ride, and it combines supple springing with neat handling and steering that gives good feedback to the driver. It's very refined, too, and keeps out most road noise even at speed, although the engines do get a bit vocal when they're worked hard. The later 2.0 HDi diesel is quieter than the older 1.9 turbo.

There are no great complaints about the driving position, with steering that adjusts for rake but not reach, and a driver's seat that adjusts for height. The dash is well laid out and attractive, too.

There's plenty of room up front, too, while the rear has good space with a full three-point belt for each passenger - only lanky types may find the rear a bit cramped. Last, but not least, the good sized boot can be extended by dropping the rear seats, and loading is reasonably easy.

The 406 gained only two stars for occupant safety when first tested by Euro NCAP, but this improved to three when Peugeot submitted a revised model in 2001.