THE Peugeot 308 SW is a handsome and well equipped family estate that boasts an efficient range of engines and a modern interior.

It is based on Peugeot's 308 hatchthat was introduced back in 2013 and comes with a variety of engines and is offered in five trim levels.

The SW takes much of its styling from its elegant 308 hatchback sibling. It has a smart nose, sharp lines and a neat rump. The stretched bodywork behind the rear wheelarches and a wheelbase that's 110mm longer creates much more space inside.

Overall the SW is 332mm longer than the hatch, and the addition of the extra back windows, silver roof rails and large wraparound tail-lights means the estate looks even better.

Full LED headlights are standard on most models, while the flagship GT tested adds a lowered suspension and a sporty bodykit to help it stand out from the rest of the range.

Inside, the Peugeot has an attractive uncluttered feel. The dials are set high and viewed above the too small steering wheel which rather spoils the driving position for me.

A large touchscreen groups the multimedia and climate controls together to leave the centre console clear and an electric parking brake isfitted as standard, freeing more space for storage.

A £500 optional panoramic glass roof helps brighten the cabin and the interior feels well put together with good quality materials and plastics.

The flagship GT model on test is only available with a 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel power plant. It produces 178bhp and is mated to a six-speed automaticgearbox.

It is a smooth unit and offers a good mixture of pace and economy. Top speed is 135mph and the sprint to 62mph takes just 8.6 seconds.

With stop/start emissions are kept down to 107g/km and the claimed combined fuel consumption is 68.9mpg. You will not get anything like that but I certainly averaged well over 50mpg.

A soft suspension provides a really comfortable ride and the 308 is at it its best when cruising. There is some roll on corners but it grips fine and passengers commented on its comfort.

On the safety front it was awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP test but some safety features are only available on higher-spec models.

The tailgate opens to reveal a 660-litre boot that's the biggest in the class and useful touches include load rails in the floor and seat-folding levers in the boot sides. When you fold the rear seats total capacity goes up to 1,775 litres, which is great for a car of this size.

The 308 SW certainly has all it takes to be a good family or lifestyle car and it is also competitively price as it starts from just £17,145.