AN estate car already loaded with power and panache is being released by Peugeot as the bigger brother of its classy looking 508 fastback.

More than an inch longer, the 508 estate - or SW in Peugeot-speak - retains the same looks at the front but is significantly different at the rear.

Cargo capacity is up by almost a suitcase to 580 litres and the boot lip below the tailgate is more than two inches lower to ease loading.

Fold the rear seats flat - and they collapse on a two thirds, one third basis - and luggage space rises to a maximum of 1,780 litres, 243 litres more than the regular 508.

As such the 508 SW is more than a match for many an SUV and on par with premium estates from the big German brands.

Peugeot is pricing the 508 SW from £26,845 for a 1.5-litre manual diesel and that is around £1,000 more than the fastback.

The 14 model line up will top out close on £41,000 and that is for a 1.6-litre petrol version boosted to 225bhp or a 2.0-litre diesel with 180bhp on tap.

The range toppers are in an exclusive First Edition specification that sees them come fully kitted with features including night vision, a rear view camera system and fully automatic parking.

In total, Peugeot is offering three diesel engines and two petrols on the 508 estate and it expects the oil burners to make up the bulk of sales.

We have just tried the 508 SW at either end of the range putting a 1.5-litre diesel in bottom but one Allure trim and a 225bhp petrol in GT specification through their paces.

Each performed in accomplished fashion and although the diesel was more than £10,000 cheaper it punched above its weight especially when it came to fuel economy.

The diesel recorded an average of almost 50mpg and the petrol returned its official 39.8 to the gallon over similar routes with emissions of 102 and 130g/km respectively.

Under the new WLTP fuel test programme the diesel is rated at a best of 59.8mpg

Admittedly the petrol had more oomph - 0 to 60 is 2.5 seconds quicker at 7.4 seconds - but the extra mid-range torque from the diesel suited the estate well.

Sat nav and Peugeot's multi-mode i-Cockpit digitised instrument panel were fitted to both and the real difference between the two was the eight-speed automatic gearbox, a power operated tailgate and a high end sound system on the GT as well as trim upgrades including leather upholstery and massaging seats.

On the road, the Allure diesel - and the 1.5-litre engine is the only manual in the 508 SW range - was priced at £28,720 while the GT came in at £41,345.

While both are good value for money the diesel had an edge, especially when it came to all-round driveability.

But the strength of the 508 SW is its practicality and it really makes the grade as an antidote to the current fad for SUVs.

Factor in its good looks and the 508 SW has enough about it to satisfy almost all of the demands of a modern family - and does so in a very classy package.