Peugeot 106

Kind of a hare and hound picture here, as the only versions left on the list are the 1.1-litre 60bhp and the 120bhp 1.6-litre GTi. Guess that’ll be the shape of things until a replacement car comes around at the end of next year. For some reason, though they come out of the same house, the Citroen Saxo twin seems to sell better here than its Peugeot sibling. Anyway, the style has been sweet since it started and there are still people out there who like it. I always found any version a fun car to drive, though there are the old problems for a bigfoot like me of small space between the pedals. Other than that, handling and ride are decent, but as the competition grows bigger, the 106 and those of its ages are feeling a fair bit smaller. A good starter car, though, and solid. Stars: 5/10

Peugeot 206

OK, here again I have a problem about where my feet fit, and for some reason the 206 never quite suited my frame. But it suits the vast majority of people, because it is the best-selling car in Europe, even keeping ahead of the VW Golf. And in Ireland it runs second only to the runaway Punto in its segment. The recent addition of the SW wagon provides the range with something extra for the suburban shopping, with neat ideas like the flip-up back window for easy stowage of those green bags. With petrol engines going from 1.1-, 1.4. 1.6- and 2-litre petrol (GTi) as well as a torquey 2-litre HDi diesel, the 206 has had truly an engine for everyone, and there are plenty of dressed-up versions. Stars: 7/10

Peugeot 206cc

One of the sweetheart cars, not for the practical but even Virgos like me can know a nice notion when he sees one. And it is a notion that is growing, because the 307 is going inthis direction too. But that’s for later. The coupe/cabriolet idea is just the ticket for the climate here, where a metal roof makes sense most of the time but there should always be the possibility of folding the lid when the day calls for it. There’s a surprising amount (though not THAT much) of room in the boot when the roof is stowed, but forget about the golf clubs. The 1.6-litre option is probably ample, and anyway the 2-litre is going to be walloped, possibly off the Irish market. ABS is standard, but aircon only comes with the more expensive version. Stars: 8/10

Peugeot 307

The more versions they roll out to us, the more I like this car, one which I have seen for myself is as safe as it is good looking. Even in the standard 5-door form, it is a big car for its segment, and has a number of features that are more MPV than hatchback. They were a clear indicator to the usefulness of the SW (Sky Wagon in this instance) when it arrived, with its full-length panoramic roof brightening up even the most dull day. Very flexible seating options make that version up to a 7-seater. The new VRT crunch could make the 1.4-litre HDi diesel quite attractive here, though its 70bhp is significantly down on the 2-litre ones that have made Peugeot famous among oil-burners. Otherwise there are petrol engines of 1.4-, 1.6- and 2-litre capacities. The true estate versions have the 1.4-litre HDi only, and there’s now a car-derived van upcoming. Stars: 8/10

Peugeot 406

Running down, running out, and still one of the sweetest chassis’ in the segment, wearing its age as well as has the Carina/Avensis for rival Toyota. The model options are declining but the specifications are climbing, and if you want a loaded car to hang onto for a good while, I’d certainly recommend one of the diesels, perhaps especially the 110bhp estate. For the long country drive, you’ll not be let down, and you won’t stew either because all versions on sale now have aircon as standard. A 117bhp 1.8 or a 138bhp 2-litre are the petrol options, that last likely to be a good fast traveller. There’s a pedigree here, and the 406 had lived well up to it, laying a good solid foundation for its imminent successor. Stars: 7/10

Peugeot 406 Coupe

Yer man Pininfarina has a magic touch when it comes to beautifying motoring metalwork, and for all the years it has been around now, the 406 coupe is still one of the most stylish of its breed available. And, while it might seem to be a contradition in terms, the 2.2-litre diesel version is arguably the most fun, and more refined than you’d expect. It’s is not cheap, not even at the lower leathered 2-litre petrol version, but the style will be enduring if you keep it until the diesel breaks wears aout, which is likely to be close to an eternity. Stars: 8/10

Peugeot 607

Hmm ... there were those who said it wouldn’t sell, but even though it is totally eclipsed in the luxury class by the big names, the Peugeot people here have moved it in decent numbers for a mass-manufacturer large car. There have also been cribs about the style, but I have to like it. There’s an entry-level 2-litre which was produced for a few high-tax markets like Ireland, but that’s going to be increasingly irrelevant, and you might as well go for the 2.2-litre petrol or diesel if you’ve a hankering for one of these. A 2.9-litre V6 is also on the list, but priced pretty high and not a lot better than the 136bhp HDi

Peugeot 807

This is the new large MPV from Peugeot and not yet on the lists here. But it is significantly more attractive visually and said by Peugeot to be much better from a driving point of view than was the outgoing van-loke 806. Nothing to say beyond that until the Irish specifications and prices are announced and we get onto the driver’s seat.