Peugeot 307 1.6 16v HATCH
Peugeots Most Popular 307 Makes A Pretty Convincing Case For Itself. Jonathan Crouch Checks Out The 1.6-litre Version
The greatest test of any popular family hatchback is in the excellence of its ordinary models. Its fine putting high technology into the pricier variants but if the cars people actually buy arent up to much, then the inconsistencies will become very quickly obvious, no matter how much clever marketing goes on.
To some extent, this was a mistake that
Peugeot made with its old family hatch, the 306 and its not one that the French company is about to repeat. Hence the development of todays range of compact sixteen valve petrol engines for the 307. These are of 1.4, 1.
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6 and 2.0-litres in size and of these, its the 1.6-litre unit that is far and away the most significant. For a start, it must replace not only the old 1.
6 but also the previous 1.8-litre engine (for which the 307 offers no replacement). Fortunate then that the 110bhp 1.6 installed under the bonnet of the car on test here has more grunt than either of them.
Since this is not a light car (1090kg in weight), you may not really notice the benefit of that but its nice to have all the same. Certainly, theres enough power to make you wonder whether trading up to the larger 2.0-litre version would be really necessary: the 1.6, after all, is good for 116mph. The 307 has become a familiar sight on British roads. Like the
Honda Civic 5-door (a car it closely resembles), its one box shape evokes that of a
mini-MPV.
Its not of course, as youll quickly discover upon taking a
seat inside. Though the cabin feels light and airy (thanks to all that glass), its not actually all that spacious, only the headroom being really exceptional.
"If youre buying a car of this kind, this 307 has to be on the shopping list."
Still, it is at least well finished, with aluminium surrounds for the centre dash and instruments in the entry-level S version that many customers will select. In fact, there are two trim options available to 1.6-litre petrol buyers S and SE at prices ranging between £11,820 for the 3-door S and £14,020 for the 5-door only SE. Equipment levels are everything you would expect maybe even more, given that all models get six airbags (including front and rear curtain bags to protect you against flying glass) as well as ABS with Brake Assist.
There are also active head restraints and automatic hazard light deployment under heavy braking. Other thoughtful applications include a boot which automatically locks when you pull away, protecting the contents from opportunistic thieves while stopped in traffic, and door linings that are fitted with reinforced cowlings that shield the lock elements. As for the rest of the specification, well as usual, it depends on your pocket. Go for an S version and you can expect to find remote air-conditioning, central locking, electric front windows, a height and rake-adjustable steering wheel, a six-speaker CD stereo, alloy wheels and powered mirrors, while the top SE boasts digital climate controlled air conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, rain sensing wipers, electric windows all round and a fascia CD autochanger.
For those that want additional versatility, theres a choice of an estate variant in either standard or SW-badged mini-MPV guises. Go for the SW with the 1.6-litre 16v engine and youll have the potential for carrying seven passengers. Alternatively, if posing is more important to you than practicality, theres a 1.
6-litre version of the 307CC Coupe Cabriolet with a folding hard-top roof. Whichever bodystyle you go for, nice touches include front door bins that can carry a 1.5-litre bottle and sliding underseat storage trays. Pay for the air conditioning and the cool air will find its way into the glove box to keep your drinks and chocolate cool.
Plus there are cargo nets in the hatch to stop luggage from looking like its been on a spin cycle after spirited driving. The 307 feels tightly screwed together, and uses a high grade of plastics, giving a subjective impression of quality to the interior that was so sorely lacking in the old 306. Many will feel that the interior perhaps lacks the visual drama of the exterior styling, and its a fair point. Nevertheless, ergonomics are sound and the car will be easy on your conscience too, with over 90% of its volume by weight being recyclable or recoverable.
The 307 even utilises environmentally friendly constituent parts, such as mudflaps made from what were once polypropylene bottles and soundproofing that uses recycled textiles. Odd thought. The shirt on your back could one day make somebodys
Peugeot 307 that tiny bit quieter. On the road, its all very smooth and easy if not quite as sharp as some enthusiasts might like.
Everything feels nice to use steering, throttle, brakes, switchgear. Come out of something larger into this and you should feel quite at home. With rivals as good as the VW Golf,
Ford Focus,
Citroen C4,
Vauxhall Astra, SEAT Leon and
Renault Megane, the family hatchback market doesnt suffer dullards gladly. If youre buying a car of this kind, this 307 has to be on the shopping list.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Peugeot 307 1.6 16v hatch range
PRICES: £12,520-£14,020 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 169g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.0s / Max Speed 118mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban] 29.7mpg / (extra urban) 48.7mpg / (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] Length/Width/Height mm 4202/1746/1512
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