There is no Euro NCAP rating yet but the 407 received full marks when it was tested and we expect the 508 to perform similarly well. Standard safety kit includes driver and front passenger airbags, side and curtain airbags. Active safety systems such as ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assistance, electronic stability programme, dynamic stability control and cornering brake control are also included.

Stability control also includes hill assist with intelligent traction control. Isofix fixtures with three-point attachments are in the rear and the front seats have new curved head restraints designed to reduce whiplash.

Boot space is ample: the 508 gives you 108 litres more space with the rear seats in place than the outgoing 407, with 545 litres of loadroom. It is impressive (this includes a hidden compartment with up to 48 litres under the boot floor). Fold the rear seats and the loadroom increase to 1,581 litres and the bonus is that you have a flat floor. But how does the 508 compare with its rivals?

Reasonably well. The Ford Mondeo has a loadspace of 528 litres, while the Passat has a space of 565 litres with the seats in place. The more prestigious BMW 3-Series trails with just 460 litres of luggage space when the seats are in place.Your goodies won’t slide around the boot if you choose the optional luggage net.