The 407 offers excellent levels of safety, with an impressive five-star score in Euro NCAP cash tests and a generous tally of equipment that includes up to nine air-bags (rear side airbags only being fitted to top of the range models). Other safety equipment includes an electronic stability control system to lessen the chance of it sliding or losing control in slippery conditions.

In terms of its proportions, the 407 looks like a big car at the front, but small at the rear. This translates into a relatively poor luggage capacity of 407 litres, which is some way behind the 500 litres-plus now expected of cars of this size. There’s no hatchback version either which limits practicality while the boot opening is narrow and the lip quite high.

In the cabin, there’s not enough stowage and although there’s a cubby in the front armrest, the glove compartment is quite small.