The Xsara is the last of the old Citroëns waiting for replacement. Expect the C4 to be very different. Xsara is well equipped, selling on price, safety and standard equipment. Handling is okay and performance is adequate for the class. The interior looks and feels dated in a competitive class and Xsara’s sales are mostly down to Citroën’s generous cashback offers.

It does everything well enough but is ultimately forgettable. Depreciation is steep measured by list prices, but no-one pays list price.