As well as a four-star Euro NCAP crash test safety rating, there’s an abundance of safety equipment, including dynamic stability control and six intelligent airbags which tailor their response to the circumstances of an accident. Bluetooth is available from summer 2005 making using a phone while driving both legal and safer.

The X-Type Estate doesn’t offer that much more boot space than the saloon with the back seats in place with 455 litres of luggage room (three litres more than the four-door), but the large opening tailgate makes it far more practical, especially when it comes to carrying boxy items. The rear seats fold down easily but the don’t sit totally flat – however the load floor is wide and free from intrusions.

Overall carrying capacity is 1415 litres – that’s more than a BMW 3-Series Touring.