Peugeot 807 Estate (2002 - 2010) practicality

The 807 was one of the first people carriers score a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, although it originally received four stars and was retested after Peugeot made improvements. There are six airbags (including sidebags for rear passengers), plus electronic stability control on all models. Deadlocks, remote central locking (with buttons to operate the rear sliding doors) and etched windows are also standard.

The sliding rear doors are a blessing in tight parking spaces and one higher spec models they are electrically sliding for even easier use. The second and third row seat backs can be folded forward to make a table, or for load-carrying purposes, but they don't fold into the floor like newer people carriers. For maximum load carrying, the seats need to come out but that's not easy.

They're bulky and heavy to remove, but the load area is cavernous without. There's room enough behind the third-row seats for a couple of suitcases and lots of storage built into the dash. Most models have roof bars and front seats that can be swivelled 180 degrees.