Peugeot - 406

1996-04 

---

The 406 went on sale in 1996, yet it still has smoother looks today than its contemporaries. There's a wide range of engines, a cavernous estate and a sleek coupe. It's good to drive, comfortable and well specified. It's arguably one of the best Peugeots ever - some even rate it over the later 407.

---

	Great ride with lots of space inside
	Newer versions have lots of equipment
	Good value used, and getting cheaper
	New 407 will cause values to drop fast
	1.8 needs to be worked hard
	Safety and security lag behind modern rivals

---

The 406 is a big, roomy family saloon that is long overdue for a facelift. It still looks great - especially the sleek Coupe - but struggles to compete in other ways with the latest Ford Mondeo. The interior is a little behind the times too, although there's plenty of it. Despite its large dimensions, the Peugeot is a surprisingly good drive, especially when fitted with the 2.2 HDi diesel engine. Estate models are enormous although, like the rest of the range, they suffer badly from depreciation. A new 406 is due soon, so bargain hard on the forecourt.