PEUGEOT'S new 406 estate will carry a price premium over most of its mainstream competitors when it goes on sale in the UK next February. On-the-road prices start at £14,780 for the 1.8 L, rising to £21,865 for the 2.1 turbodiesel Executive, but prices have still to be revealed for the flagship 3.0 V6 range.

At benchmark 1.8 LX level, with a price tag of £15,710, the new Peugeot is £215 dearer than the Ford Mondeo, £490 more expensive than the Vauxhall Vectra, £707 more than the Renault Laguna and almost £1,000 more expensive than the Citroen Xantia.

The diesel derivatives start at £15,435, but with a starting price of £16,365 at LX level, again cost more than the equivalent Mondeo (£16,115) and Vectra (£16,200). Peugeot will honour these prices on all cars ordered before the car goes on sale, but could increase them thereafter.

406 estate prices: 1.8 L (sunroof) £15,190, 1.9 L turbodiesel (sunroof) £15,845, 1.8 LX (air con) £16,105, 2.0 LX £16,015, 2.0 LX (air con) £16,410, 2.1 LX turbodiesel £17,235, 2.0 GLX £17,650, 2.0 GLX auto (air con) £19,345, 2.1 GLX turbodiesel £18,870, 2.0 turbo Executive £21,295, 2.1 turbodiesel Executive £21,865. Family (seven seater): 1.8 L £15,280, 1.9 L turbodiesel £15,935, 1.8 LX £16,210, 2.0 LX £16,515, 2.1 LX turbodiesel £17,735.