The Peugeot 407 is a serious contender in terms of style, with its long front overhang and grille’s gaping design hoping to turn heads away from the usual look of family cars. This is an ambitious endeavor when the 407 is pitted against the Ford Mondeo and the Citroen C5’s better looking structures. There’s also the impractical removal of a hatchback. Nonetheless the Peugeot 407 has several merits: it has passed the five-star crash safety test and offers a comfortable ride. Read on to know how well the Peugeot 407 fares by itself and against other equally equipped competitors.
Pros
The Peugeot 407’s entry-level engine is the 1.8-litre petrol at 125bhp. Although it does the job on regular roadways, it has a tendency to become noisy along motorways. You can expect a better performance from the larger 2.2-litre at 163bhp and 2.0-litre at 143 bhp units. The 3.0-litre V6 petrol is at the top of this range and comes with an automatic gearbox. You can also expect a smoother performance and a quiet experience given its top stature.
The petrol engines may be able to do a decent job, but the diesels prove to be the better choice among the units. There’s the 1.6-litre HDi at 110bhp, but the 2.0 HDi stands out with its in-gear performance, fuel economy at 50mpg, and its adequate refinement levels. The most recently released engine is the 2.2 HDi at 170bhp that employs a twin-turbo system. As a result, the 2.2 litre unit is able to provide a mid-range performance and smooth pacing.
Light steering makes the Peugeot 407 an enjoyable ride all the way. Drivers will appreciate how easy three-point turns become and how the vehicle is able to soak up even the deepest lumps along the road. Owners of the diesel and petrol V6 models will enjoy a steering system that’s more responsive than the entry-level variation; this experience is enhanced by an electronically controlled damper system.
The Peugeot 407 is quite spacious and provides enough leg and headroom. Three children or two adults can readily fir at the back; a middle passenger won’t have any problems settling in thanks to the flat transmission tunnel. Comfort is further enhanced by the engine’s ability to keep quiet and the car keeping wind noise at a minimum.
The Peugeot 407 comes in four trim levels: the S, SE, SV, and Executive. The entry-level S already comes with a trip computer, electric front windows, climate control, anda CD stereo. Added luxury comes in the SV model and its parking sensors, electric seats, while the executive includes heated seats, cruise control, and rear side airbags.
Cons
The 407 may boast of enough space, but its luggage capacity is rather limited at 407 litres. As previously mentioned, the absence of a hatchback hampers the function of the boot. Stowage is also limited in the cabin area.
One needs to be picky when choosing the right engine for the Peugeot 407. The entry-level 1.8-litre petrol tends to become noisy when running at motorway speeds. The larger 2.0- and 2.2-litre units aren’t very economical either compared to the demands of today’s roads and environment. The larger diesel and petrol engines include a six-speed box but their transmission executes flimsy actions and the clutch rather springy. The alternative six-speed automatic gearbox option isn’t urgent enough for other road demands.
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(Average rating: 5 , Total rates: 1 )
