Is there still a place for the traditional Family Hatchback-based compact estate car? Peugeot seem to think so. While many of their rivals are abandoning the concept in favour of trendier mini-MPVs, the French concern still sees, in the 307 Estate featured here, a place for the more traditional approach.

That's what the marketeers will tell you anyway. In reality, Peugeot doesn't really have a mini-MPV. Or at least not in the sense you would understand from the current market dominated by cars like Citroen's Picasso, Renault's Scenic and Vauxhall's Zafira. To try and offer something different, the company has brought us the 307 SW - basically an estate version of the 307 Family Hatch with seven seating options and almost infinite practical possibilities. In other words, people-carrying versatility without that rather un-trendy frumpy MPV image. It's really rather clever.

Since they were developing this model, it would have been rather ridiculous not to take out some of the seats and a little of the versatility, reduce the price and also try and market it as a conventional estate car. Which is, of course, what we have in the 307 Estate line-up, priced from £14,677, which is some £250 less than the equivalent 307 SW. The Estate range runs through one petrol and two turbocharged HDi diesel engines and pretty much mirrors what you'll pay for rivals like Ford's Focus or Vauxhall's Astra.

The petrol option that people with an irrational aversion to diesel (you know who you are) will gravitate towards is a 1.6-litre 16-valve unit. Reassuringly modern and fairly feisty, it pumps out 110bhp when fully extended and can call upon 147Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. This equates to a 0-60mph time of 11 seconds dead and a top-speed of 118mph which is decent going for a small estate car in this price range. Fuel economy is average at 39mph for the combined cycle falling to 29.7mpg under stop start urban conditions.

"Like all 307s, these versions feel tightly screwed together."

But why buy an estate and pay petrol prices anyway? Since, as a potential buyer, you're probably a practical sort, you probably already know that Peugeot diesels are among the best around - and here, there's a choice of two. The 1.6-litre HDi with 90bhp is, as the more observant amongst you will have spotted, less powerful than the petrol option but mid range urge and fuel economy are far better. Better still, choose the 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi. With this engine you can expect to average over 57mpg and with 240Nm of torque on tap at only 1,750rpm, low speed trips around town are greatly simplified.

Enough of engines - what of interior practicalities? Well, you've a load space area of either 562 or 1805 litres, depending or not whether the split-folding rear seats are, well, folded. In comparison to the SW version, you lose the extra row of seats, the panoramic glass roof, the rear seat picnic trays and so on. Still, you do get numerous stowage compartments, including storage boxes in the boot, a large boot net, black roof rails and a concertina-style luggage cover.

Standard equipment on all models runs to air-conditioning, a CD stereo, colour-keyed bumpers, electric front windows, 'plip' central locking, six airbags and ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and Emergency Brake Assist. Nice touches include the air conditioned glovebox to keep you Mars Bars from melting away with your patience in holiday traffic, front door bins that can carry a 1.5-litre bottle and sliding underseat storage trays. Other careful features include the way the boot automatically locks when you pull away, protecting the contents from opportunistic thieves while stopped in traffic. There's even door linings that are fitted with reinforced cowlings that shield the lock elements.

Today's 307 shares the distinctive front end that we first saw pop-up on the 407 and the 1007. The gaping air-intake in the front bumper, huge headlamps and shortened bonnet with pronounced side ridges all mark the car out. The rear light clusters get a 'Chrome Red' finish as well. Inside there's, a revised instrument panel with new graphics and chrome surrounds for all the dials, aluminium detailing on the centre console and revised controls for the air-con system and the stereo.

Like all 307s, these versions feel tightly screwed together, and use a high grade of plastics, giving a subjective impression of quality to the interior that was so sorely lacking in the old 306 Estate. Many will feel that the interior perhaps lacks the visual drama of the exterior styling, and it's a fair point.

Slip behind the wheel and, though the cabin seems light and airy, it doesn't actually feel all that spacious, only the headroom being really exceptional. On the road, it's all very smooth and easy - if not quite as sharp as some enthusiasts might like. Everything feels nice to use - steering, throttle, brakes, switchgear. Come out of something larger into this and, assuming you've opted for one of the plusher trim levels, you should feel quite at home.

In summary, the 307 Estate makes a reasonable case of itself, especially against some of its blander competitors. You can't help feeling though, that the price differential to the SW version would be extra money well spent. Weigh it up and try both before making up your mind.

TOP 5 307 DEALS

The results below show the top 307 deals on buyacar

	Peugeot 307 1.6 HDi 110 S 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £254	Saving £3,917	Price £13,073
	Peugeot 307 1.6 HDi 90 S 5dr SW Estate
	ETR	Mthly £241	Saving £3,739	Price £12,601
	Peugeot 307 1.6 HDi 110 S 5dr SW Estate
	ETR	Mthly £255	Saving £3,985	Price £13,255
	Peugeot 307 1.6 HDi 90 S 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £240	Saving £3,671	Price £12,419
	Peugeot 307 1.6 S 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £234	Saving £3,439	Price £11,851

typical 12.49% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000