WAY back in the 1970s when teenagers wore tartan and curly perms were all the rage Peugeot's 504 estate was one of the most sought-after load-luggers around, in part because it had three rows of seats - something of a novelty at the time.

The 504 was quite some car too it has to be said. It oozed Gallic character, was immensely practical and strange as it might seem today was rear-wheel-drive.

Its excellence was also reflected in a very lengthy life span, being produced in saloon, estate and pick-up form until 1999 in Argentina, with the pick-up version still being churned out in China as recently as 2009.

Even today the car is still a favourite in some far-flung corners of the world as a taxi.

Putting those rose-tinted spectacles to glimpse into the past to one side, Peugeot's large estate of the modern age is a somewhat different beast.

Firstly, if you want three rows of seats nowadays you'll need to buy the French car-maker's 5008 MPV.

The 508 SW is a regular family estate that competes against the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord.

It doesn't display the overtly Gallic design lines of its seventies ancestor - and probably won't enjoy anywhere near as long a life span - but it still has plenty going for it.

It's a good-looking, practical and capable performer that will fulfil the needs of most families - just so long as you don't require that extra row of seats.

The 508 looks classy, striking just the right balance between a sleek and sporty rounded profile and the kind of car that can fit a wardrobe or washing machine in at the weekend. 

In fact looks-wise it's not a million miles away from the delectable Audi estates that seem to be the benchmark for others to emulate.

It also feels like one of the sturdiest Peugeots yet with build quality that is up there in premium territory. The doors close with a noticeably reassuring thud and the switchgear is top notch throughout too.

The only thing I didn't like - and I have to confess I didn't like it a lot - is a handbrake that looks and feels curiously out of place.

Positioned on the passenger side of an otherwise neat and well laid out centre console it sticks out oddly and is awkward to operate. It's almost as if the designers suddenly remembered they had to put it in somewhere when they had done everything else.

An electronic and less physically intrusive handbrake would be far more welcome.

Gripes apart, the 508 is excellent in pretty much every other respect.The cabin has an upmarket feel and is roomy throughout, both in the front and rear.

The only slight shortcoming - and it's a fairly marginal one - is the amount of boot space. In truth there's actually plenty (512 litres rising to 1,598 with the 60/40 split rear seats folded) but is outdone in this regard by some of its competitors.

Peugeot's 2.0-litre diesel engine is a proficient performer and comes in two power variants - 140 and 163bhp.

This was the lower powered one but it still felt suitably sprightly and refined too.

Though the 508 might not boast Peugeot's rear-wheel-drive mechanism of yore it also handles nicely, with a grown-up and composed feel that offers plenty of driver feedback.

The steering is a little on the light side but overall the car is fairly fun to drive.

Pleasing performance is also matched by excellent economy that puts many rivals in the shade and it's easy to get more than 50mpg out of it, which is impressively close to the official figure of 58.9mpg.

It is also exceptionally comfortable thanks to decent ride quality and long journeys in particular are a joy. Some excellently designed supportive and cosseting seats also enhance the overall comfort factor.