Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

The BMW X6 is a desirable SUV&nbsp;that doesn’t sacrifice usability in the pursuit of style and sportiness.&nbsp;

Used BMW X6 2020-pres 

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Eye-catching looks without sacrificing too much practicality</li> <li>Strong performance in keeping with a sportier brief</li> <li>Running costs that won’t break the bank</li> <li>Classy interior with high-quality materials</li> <li>Pricing that isn’t exorbitant next to that of conventional siblings</li></ul>

Coupe SUV

The BMW X6, in its <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x6/4x4/used-review/n930">original</a> form, was the pioneering <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/coupe-suv">coupé SUV</a>. It seemed very alien at the time – a large, luxury 4x4 with a sleek, sloping roofline –&nbsp;but the bodystyle&nbsp;has since caught on, spawning a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x6/estate/used-review/n903">second</a> and now third generation, plus a plethora of rivals. This latest car (on sale since 2020) has really found the model’s stride and, luckily for us, examples are already making&nbsp;their way onto the used market.

The X6 shares its engine range – and most of its parts – with the more conventional&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/used-review/n21110">X5</a>. All models get four-wheel drive, with the entry-level variant being the xDrive30d, which features a 282bhp 3.0-litre diesel engine. After that, you have the xDrive40i, with its 333bhp 3.0-litre petrol engine, and the xDrive40d with its 340bhp 3.0-litre diesel.&nbsp;

For the utmost performance, go for the M50i, because it comes with a 530bhp 4.4-litre petrol V8. Although it's no longer on sale from new, you can&nbsp;also get&nbsp;an M50d second-hand with a 381bhp 3.0-litre diesel.&nbsp;

In terms of trim levels, the entry-level one is Sport, but essentially all used models feature the M Sport trim at the moment. With M Sport, you get 21in alloy wheels, an uprated braking system and a plethora of M-specific cosmetic details, including black exterior trim highlights, a more aggressive body kit and a sports steering wheel.

On the road, the X6 impresses, no matter which engine you go for;&nbsp;they’re all pretty punchy. The synthetic engine note owners will experience in the diesels won’t be to everyone’s taste, but they get up to speed nice and quickly, thanks in part to a capable eight-speed automatic gearbox that's&nbsp;standard in all X6s. The petrols, especially the M50i, are properly rapid.&nbsp;

The X6 is one of the more entertaining cars in the coupé SUV class to drive. You don't get a great deal of feedback through its chunky steering wheel, but the meaty feel of its steering still inspires confidence. Body control is impressively tight, too, so threading the car through a series of sweeping bends is genuinely enjoyable.

Air suspension is present on all cars, but M&nbsp;Sport's&nbsp;21in wheels mean that, whichever driving mode you select, there's a firm edge to the low-speed ride. That said, the suspension never thumps or crashes over imperfections, so life is far from uncomfortable. It’s a similar deal with the M performance models, even though they have adaptive suspension, but once you’re up to speed they start to really flow with the road.&nbsp;

The X6’s interior is functional, comfortable and attractive. Electrically adjustable sports seats with driver memory provide good long-distance comfort, while the steering wheel offers a large range of movement to help you find the ideal driving position.&nbsp;

BMW’s infotainment system leads the way in the class for both usability and number of features. It can be operated through either its 12.3in touchscreen or a more intuitive rotary&nbsp;controller between the front seats. There’s also a crisp, clear 12.3in digital instrument panel&nbsp;in place of conventional analogue dials. It looks smart and is intuitive to use.

Front passenger room is excellent, and in the back – where you’d assume the sloping roofline would rob head room – it’s actually pretty spacious as well. Passengers won’t feel cramped, although the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q8/4x4/used-review/n20079">Audi Q8</a> is roomier still.&nbsp;

The rear seats split and fold in 40/20/40 sections as standard, and while the boot itself doesn’t have the outright capacity to match that of the Q8, it will swallow a family’s holiday luggage easily.&nbsp;

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/x6?yearFrom=2020&amp;used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">used X6</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/coupe-suv">coupé SUVs</a> mentioned here, head over to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"> Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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BMW X6 4x4

Estate

The X6 is good to drive and surprisingly spacious, but there are more rounded SUVs for the money

Used BMW X6 2014-2019

A lot of cars can divide opinion just by the way they look, and the BMW X6 has always been one of them. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x6/4x4/used-review/n930">first-generation car</a> appeared in 2008, and though its sheer size and butch styling was either something you liked or didn’t, the car actually went on to enjoy healthy sales successes. Eventually, it was joined by so many similarly styled rivals that it kickstarted a whole new class of car: the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/coupe-suv">coupe SUV</a>.

This second-generation version appeared in late 2014 and ran until 2019&nbsp;and, despite tweaks to the bodystyle, it continued&nbsp;the theme. Indeed its sheer size and the incongruity of its sporty appeal while seeming to offer all that a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/luxury-suv">luxury SUV</a>&nbsp;might in terms of opulence and practicality could be why so many people have chosen to buy one - it certainly stands out from the crowd.

The most popular engine was the&nbsp;3.0-litre straight six diesel available in&nbsp;three states of tune: a 258bhp 30d, the 313bhp 40d and the M-tuned 381bhp 50d. There were two&nbsp;petrol options, the first being semi-sensible 443bhp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 50i, while those wanting a bit more poke can try and find a full M car in the shape of the X6 M, equipped with the same V8 petrol engine that's turned up to 11 and&nbsp;puts out 567bhp.

There are two trim levels to choose from starting with SE that has 19in alloys, leather trim, heated front seats, sat-nav and dual-zone climate control. Most examples you'll see for sale will actually be the M Sport model with bigger 20in wheels, sportier exterior and interior styling, along with a slightly bigger 10.2in infotainment screen.

It’s impressive how well the X6 handles for something of this size. Opting for M Sport trim brings adaptive dampers as standard, that’s over and above the variable steering weight, throttle and gearbox responses you get on all X6 models, and the result is satisfyingly pert handling.

The active four-wheel drive system keeps things mostly neutral, and it’s easy to correct your line if the ESP doesn’t do it for you. Alas the ride comfort leaves something to be desired; even in the most forgiving driving mode, there’s plenty of patter over high-frequency bumps. On top of that, you never quite forget how heavy this car is.

The X6 is based on the X5, and its interior is a similar high-quality delight. It’s well equipped and comes with BMW’s excellent iDrive rotary controller for the infotainment system. The only drawback is that swoopy styling means there is a shortage of head room in the rear seats. As well as that, three in the back is a bit of a squeeze, and you’ll find more space and a bigger boot in the equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/used-review/n839">BMW X5</a> model.

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/x6?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2014">used X6</a>, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

BMW X6 Estate

Hatchback

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

The Citroën C4 is a comfortable and charismatic car&nbsp;that gives you good levels of equipment for a reasonable used price.

Used Citroën C4 2020-present 

The Citroën C4 is a prime example of a car that's changed radically to keep up&nbsp;with trends – it started as&nbsp;a simple family hatchback but is&nbsp;now a sort-of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/coupe-suv">coupé</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/coupe-suv"> SUV</a>.

So, did shedding the skins of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4/hatchback/used-review/n293">first generation (2005-10)</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4/hatchback/used-review/n879">second generation (2010-18)</a>&nbsp;models make the C4 a better car&nbsp;– and is it a good used buy?&nbsp;Well, first we should touch upon another factor in the shift.

You see, this isn’t the first time the C4 name has been attached to a more rugged-looking offering. There’s been the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4-cactus/hatchback/used-review/n828">C4 Cactus</a>, a quirky, raised-up family car that’s arguably the latest C4’s true predecessor.

Back on topic, though, what’s under the bonnet of the C4? There’s one petrol engine – a 1.2-litre – which is available in three outputs: 99bhp, 128bhp and 153bhp. There's also a 1.5-litre diesel option, with either 108bhp or 128bhp. For emissions-free motoring, there's also the all-electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4/hatchback/review/n22375">Citroën e-C4</a>.

None of the engines stands&nbsp;out as lacklustre. Even the base 99bhp petrol has a decent amount of shove. We wouldn’t rule out going for a 128bhp if you regularly carry passengers or would simply prefer some extra grunt. Both diesel power outputs provide satisfactory performance, with the 1.5-litre making the C4 a pleasant motorway cruiser.&nbsp;

Sense trim was the entry-level option from new, and&nbsp;gets dual-zone climate control, cruise control and rear parking sensors, for example. Right&nbsp;now, though,&nbsp;the most affordable used examples are in Shine trim. So, while there is also a Sense Plus, getting you sat-nav, a rear-view camera and LED interior lighting, we're going to focus on Shine here.

Shine gets you&nbsp;privacy glass, keyless entry, automatically dipping headlights and adaptive cruise control. You also get a more sophisticated automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a>&nbsp;system that can detect cyclists. Shine Plus is also an option. It’s the top trim, in fact. It gets leather upholstery, heated front seats, a premium sound system and wireless phone-charging.

On the road, the C4 is far from a sporty car. Its controls are pleasant to use, but the soft suspension means it&nbsp;leans over dramatically if you try to turn into a bend at speed.

The upside of that softness is comfort. The C4 glides over minor imperfections in the road surface and cushion you from most ruts and potholes. It’s only when you come across something with a really sharp edge that you feel a sudden thwack.

Inside, you’ve got a slightly lower driving position than most SUVs. The driver's seat is cosseting on motorways (adjustable lumbar support is standard across the range), if a little lacking in side support.&nbsp;

All C4s have a 10.0in touchscreen mounted high up in the middle of the dashboard. You get a long list of infotainment features, including a DAB radio, Bluetooth and voice control, while the presence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto means you can mirror your phone’s apps on&nbsp;the car’s screen.&nbsp;

In terms of interior quality, the C4 mixes good build quality with a pleasing palette of materials. It’s not quite as posh as premium rivals, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/estate/used-review/n20308">Audi Q3</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/used-review/n18831">BMW X2</a>. Front passenger space is adequate, but rear legroom is limited – as is headroom, due to the sloping roofline. Boot space is fairly average for a family car.&nbsp;

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/c4?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">used C4</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/coupe-suv">cars</a> mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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Citroën C4 Hatchback

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

There's just one car in the line-up at the moment: the Cupra Ateca SUV. However, Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks are also planned, as is a bespoke model which –&nbsp;initially, at least –&nbsp;won't be offered in regular Seat from.

Don't think that the first Cupra is just an Ateca with a bit more power and a sporty bodykit, either. Its&nbsp;engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system are actually very similar to what you'll find in Volkswagen's flagship Golf R hot hatch, and the car can hit 62mph in just 5.4sec.

CUPRA

FORMENTOR

The Cupra Formentor is a sharp-looking car that handles neatly and is very well-equipped. Reliability is an issue, though.

Used Cupra Formentor 2020-present

It seems hard to believe now that, until a couple of years ago, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/cupra">Cupra</a> badge was a moniker usually attached to the back of sporty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seats</a>. Now, it's a standalone brand in its own right.&nbsp;

Naturally enough, this <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/formentor/estate/review/n22100">Cupra Formento</a>r model shares some of its underpinnings with contemporary Seats, but the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupe-suvs-2023/n23014">coupé SUV</a> body is pure Cupra, and jolly good it looks too, being muscular, taut and handsomely chiselled –&nbsp;the car equivalent of Cary Grant.&nbsp;

The further good news, if you're thinking of seeking out a used one,&nbsp;is that the Cupra Formentor has a wide range of engine options. There's the entry-level 148bhp 1.5 TSI 150 petrol, the 187bhp 2.0 TSI 190 4Drive with four-wheel drive, the TSI 245 and the top-spec 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive.&nbsp;If you want a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-plug-in-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n1141">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;(PHEV) there's also the e-Hybrid 204. With a combined power output (including the electric motor) of 201bhp, it can sprint from 0-62mph in 7.8sec and officially cover up to 37 miles on electric power alone. The more powerful e-Hybrid 245 knocks nearly a second off the 204’s acceleration time.

Trim-wise, even the entry-level V1 is handsomely equipped. You get 18in alloy wheels, full LED headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, privacy glass, power-folding door mirrors, three-zone climate control, keyless entry/start&nbsp;and adaptive cruise control.&nbsp;

VZ1 is the automatic upgrade if you go for one of the more powerful engines (242bhp or 306bhp) and adds 19in alloys and a powered tailgate with gesture control. V2 and VZ2 add heated Napa leather bucket front seats and 19in alloy wheels.

Top-tier VZ3 trim is only available with the most powerful TSI 310 engine and gets you bigger Brembo brakes,&nbsp;special 19in alloy wheels and matrix LED headlights (you can leave these on high beam because they can&nbsp;shape their beams precisely around an approaching vehicle, preventing the driver from being dazzled).&nbsp;

Whichever trim level you go for, you’ll be getting a good amount of safety equipment, with automatic emergency braking&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a>, lane-keep assist&nbsp;and traffic-sign recognition all coming as standard. Opting for VZ1 trim adds the&nbsp;Safety and Driving Pack L which gives you blind-spot monitoring and a safe exit assist function, while VZ2 and VZ3 models feature lane-change assist.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the road, you don’t have to work the 1.5 TSI 150 hard to make decent progress and it’ll beat the entry-level 1.8-litre&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/c-hr/hatchback/review/n112">Toyota C-HR</a>&nbsp;to 62mph. If that’s not quite fast enough, the 187bhp 2.0 TSI 190 4Drive introduces four-wheel drive and will cover 0-62mph in 8.9secs. The TSI 245 is quicker still, but the fastest Formentor is obviously the 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive, which is very recommendable.

The suspension that comes with the Formentor's V1, V2 and VZ1 trim is firmer than less sports-focused rivals but manages to strike a good balance between comfort and body control. If you opt for VZ2 trim or above,&nbsp;you’ll get adjustable dampers as standard, which have three modes to alter the suspension set-up. In Comfort mode, it's a bit firmer than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc40/estate/review/n119">Volvo XC40</a>, but nowhere near as brusque as the jittery <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/4x4/review/n43">Audi Q3</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x1/estate/review/n25006">BMW X1</a>. In face, even in the stiffest Cupra mode, the Formentor is fairly comfortable, giving you improved agility and handling without loosening your fillings.

It has to be said the Formentor doesn’t feel lithe in the corners like a hot hatch, but for an SUV, it’s really good. It steers more sweetly than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ds/ds-4/hatchback/review/n17141/on-the-road">DS 4</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;Toyota C-HR. There's even a little feel from the road surface, so you can sense the grip that's available. And grip is something you’ll find no shortage of, even in the 1.5 TSI 150, while racier versions carry even more cornering speed, thanks to wider tyres.&nbsp;

While you won’t hear much from the engine, you will hear a fair bit of road and wind noise as you get up to motorway speeds.&nbsp;

If you like a sportier driving position, you should enjoy the Cupra Formentor. You sit much lower down than in most other SUVs. The dashboard is well laid out but doesn’t give you any proper buttons or switches; the air conditioning controls have been replaced with touch-sensitive pads that are difficult to feel and aren’t backlit, meaning you have to look away from the road to find them.

All Formentors come with built-in sat-nav, a DAB radio, four USB-C ports,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;smartphone mirroring,&nbsp;wireless phone charging and a 12.0in touchscreen. The screen is&nbsp;bright and clear, and the operating system is usually responsive, although it takes a fair bit of playing with the menus to grasp their arrangement.

The Formentor's interior&nbsp;has plenty of visual appeal. It's not perfect, however. Look further down in the interior and you'll find&nbsp;plenty of hard plastics,&nbsp;while its spray-painted plastic heater vents look rather cheap.

If you’re thinking that the Formentor’s rakish rear roofline is bound to make it a less practical option than its rivals in the rear, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Two tall adults will fit comfortably, with good head and leg room,&nbsp;

The Formentor’s boot will easily deal with holiday luggage, a buggy or golf clubs.&nbsp;You get a handy 450 litres of boot space in the front-wheel-drive models, dropping to 420 litres in four-wheel-drive (4Drive) versions.&nbsp;

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/seat/leon?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;yearFrom=2020">used Formentor</a>, or any of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-family-cars-2021/n16996">other cars</a> mentioned here, head over to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"> Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Page 1 of 5

Cupra FORMENTOR Estate

Saloon

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 408&nbsp;delivers a good driving experience, a plush interior and plenty of space, although some rivals are roomier&nbsp;&nbsp;

Used Peugeot 408 2023-present

Is it a saloon? Is it an SUV? No, it's the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/408/saloon/review/n25222">Peugeot 408</a>.&nbsp;

Like the mechanically&nbsp;related&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c5-x/estate/review/n24291">Citroën C5 X</a>, the 408's design blurs the lines between a few different car classes – although it best fits into the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupe-suvs/n23014">coupé SUV</a> group – making it hard to&nbsp;pigeonhole. But, whether you like the mishmash&nbsp;or not, it's hard to deny that the 408&nbsp;stands out.&nbsp;

Engines &amp; Performance: The 408’s engine line-up kicks off with&nbsp;the Puretech 130, a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 129bhp.

There are also two plug-in hybrids (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">PHEVs</a>) –&nbsp;the Hybrid 180 and the Hybrid 225 – each with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. The main difference between the two PHEVs&nbsp;is that the Hybrid 225's engine produces a bit more power.&nbsp;

You might expect the entry-level 1.2-litre engine to struggle to propel a car of this size along with any kind of vigour, but acceleration is decent and the unit feels strong enough, even from low down in the rev range.&nbsp;

The Hybrid 180 is punchier, with&nbsp;its electric assistance helping it feel even stronger upon a swift&nbsp;jab of the accelerator. It's still not lightning fast, but it's got enough shove to the point where we weren't left craving the Hybrid 225's extra poke – there's only a 0.3sec gap between their official 0-60mph times, actually.&nbsp;

The PHEVs have an official electric-only range of 40 miles on the standard-from-new wheels, but that drops to 39 miles – the same as the C5 X Hybrid 225 PHEV – if you go for an example sporting the 20in wheels.&nbsp;

Ride &amp; Handling:&nbsp;There are notable differences in what the 408 and the C5 X feel like to drive, and the biggest is in the ride. The 408 is firmer and transmits more road imperfections to occupants than the impressively cushioned C5 X, but&nbsp;thanks to the extra stiffness&nbsp;it’s better tied down on undulating roads.

That gives an added benefit when it comes to cornering. Unlike with the soft and sometimes wallowy C5 X, the body lean is comparatively well controlled. What’s more, the steering is smooth and direct, making it easy to tell what the front end is up to through a corner. It’s not the engaging experience you’ll get from the sportier&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/formentor/estate/review/n22100">Cupra Formentor</a>&nbsp;but you’ll still make easy progress.

At motorway speeds, it's quite hushed inside, with hardly any wind noise and&nbsp;minimal&nbsp;road noise, and the engines don’t drone loudly when worked hard. When the PHEVs are running on electricity, there’s no engine noise and just a little bit of motor whine.

The eight-speed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">automatic gearbox</a>&nbsp;can be&nbsp;a bit hesitant when setting off (something that’s less noticeable on PHEV models), but it shifts smoothly once you're moving. The brakes are a little grabby and the non-PHEVs' stop-start system is not that smooth, although it's less clunky than in some Peugeots.

Interior &amp; Practicality:&nbsp;You wouldn’t describe the 408’s driving position as lofty when compared to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/3008/estate/review/n17363">Peugeot 3008</a>&nbsp;and other SUVs, but it’s higher than that of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/arteon/estate/review/n22320">VW Arteon Shooting Brake</a>, giving it more of an SUV feel. Manual lumbar support adjustment for the driver comes&nbsp;with all trims but electrically adjustable lumbar support is available on the top GT trim – you'll have to find a 408 that's had the&nbsp;‘Seat Pack’ fitted from new.

While the C5 X has physical dials and buttons to control the air-con, on the 408 you have to dive into the touchscreen to adjust it – a process that's much more distracting while you’re driving. That aside, their interiors feel similarly upmarket and plush, with the 408’s materials proving pleasingly squidgy and well-constructed.&nbsp;

The 408 is a long car, so back-seat leg room is better than you’ll find in the Formentor and similar to what’s on offer in the Arteon Shooting Brake. There’s also space to tuck your feet under the front seats.

Unfortunately, the outstanding leg room isn’t matched by equally generous head room. If you’re six feet tall and sitting in the back, the top of your head will just touch the roof, and with the sunroof fitted it’s even more restricted.

The boot has 536 litres of space, which drops to 471 litres if you go for a PHEV&nbsp;variant. The reduction in space for the PHEV is in the underfloor storage, but you’re still left with just about enough room to stuff in a charging cable. Overall, the boot is a tiny bit smaller than in the Citroën C5 X but not by enough to make much difference.

The boot should be big enough for most families’ needs – with the non-hybrid giving you more space than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3-sportback/hatchback/review/n20019">Audi Q3 Sportback</a>&nbsp;– but can’t match the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/estate-cars/n16998">best estate cars</a>&nbsp;for practicality (the Arteon Shooting Brake offers 590 litres and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/estate/review/n40">Skoda Octavia Estate</a>&nbsp;a mighty 650 litres).

Trims &amp; Equipment:&nbsp;There are three trim levels to choose from. Entry-level Allure covers the basics but&nbsp;mid-spec Allure Premium trim adds useful extras including adaptive cruise control, 19in alloy wheels, laminated front side windows, blind-spot monitoring and front parking sensors.&nbsp;

If you want lots of luxuries, the top GT trim adds niceties including a heated steering wheel, a power-assisted tailgate, matrix LED headlights, fancier materials inside and ambient interior lighting.

Interested in buying a used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/408/saloon/review/n25222">Peugeot 408</a>? Visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Cars For Sale</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Peugeot 408 Saloon

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

TAIGO

The Volkswagen Taigo is a competent all-rounder and an easily recommendable&nbsp;used buy.&nbsp;

Used Volkswagen Taigo 2022-present

Not sure exactly what kind of car you're looking at?&nbsp;We don't blame you. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/taigo/hatchback/review/n23908">Volkswagen Taigo</a> belongs to a rare&nbsp;(though increasingly popular) group:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupe-suvs/n23014">small coupé SUVs</a>.

Essentially, think of it as a&nbsp;sleeker, more stylish&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-cross/estate/review/n19039">Volkswagen T-Cross</a>. The two are a similar size and&nbsp;they're both&nbsp;based on the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a>&nbsp;small car.&nbsp;

You'll find a few of the T-Cross and Polo's engines inside the&nbsp;Taigo, too, starting with a 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol unit. This is the Taigo's entry-level engine and it goes by the name&nbsp;1.0 TSI 95.&nbsp;It performs adequately enough out on the road – you don't have to&nbsp;work it&nbsp;hard to get up to speed and it does an admirable job of keeping momentum on uphill stretches of road.

The extra power in the 108bhp petrol is welcome, though. Dubbed 1.0 TSI 110, its official 0-62mph time is&nbsp;10.4sec – about a second quicker than the 95. The 110 is available with either a six-speed manual or an automatic gearbox. We'd stick with the manual, because the auto can be a bit slow to shift down when you need a sudden burst of power.

For even greater&nbsp;pace, the 1.5 TSI 150 is worth considering. With 148bhp, it has&nbsp;a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.3sec, so it's even more willing when you need a burst of speed.&nbsp;

When you need a burst of equipment, even Life – your starting point within the trim range – provides a good amount.&nbsp;It gets 16in alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, electrically heated wing mirrors and adaptive cruise control. It has a 8.0in digital gauge cluster.&nbsp;

Taking a step up to Style trim adds larger 17in alloy wheels into the mix, as well as clever LED matrix headlights, silver roof rails, sports seats and built-in sat nav. It has a 10.3in digital gauge cluster.&nbsp;

The range-topping trim, R-Line, does without the LED matrix headlights, but gets sportier exterior styling alongside Style trim’s other toys.&nbsp;

As for sportiness out on the road, the Taigo has little of it, especially&nbsp;when compared to the playful&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>. Handling is predictable and secure, though, and the ride is well sorted, striking a good blend of comfort and body control. Grip is good, too, but the steering remains a little too light to give you much confidence.&nbsp;

When you climb inside the Taigo, you’ll find it easy to get comfy. All trim levels come with plenty of driver's seat adjustment, plus you can move the steering wheel up, down, in and out. The only small demerit is that, while all trim levels come with built-in lumbar support, you can’t have adjustable lumbar support – it wasn't even an optional extra from new.&nbsp;

The quality of the Taigo's interior is better than it might seem at first glance, with pleasantly soft materials on top of the dashboard and a satisfying leather steering wheel on all trims.&nbsp;

Sadly,&nbsp;you’ll find no end of scratchy hard plastics everywhere else below eye level and it could do with a bit more colour than the vast expanse of grey used.

In the front, the Taigo offers plenty of head room and seats that slide a good way back for lots of leg room, so even people measuring north of six feet won’t find themselves struggling for space.&nbsp;Typically, cars with&nbsp;coupé&nbsp;SUV&nbsp;styling suffer when it comes to rear head room. We’re happy to report that the Taigo isn’t one of those cars. In fact, even your tallest friends will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of head room on offer – there's&nbsp;only marginally less than in the front.

If you plan to regularly carry lots of luggage, you’ll be happy to know that the Taigo gives you 440 litres of space to play with. That's more than you’ll find in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/arona/hatchback/review/n117">Seat Arona</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris-cross/estate/review/n23440">Toyota Yaris Cross</a>.

If you're interested in finding a&nbsp;used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/taigo?">Volkswagen Taigo</a>&nbsp;or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Cars For Sale</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.

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