Peugeot 307 X-LINE SPECIAL EDITION RANGE
The
Peugeot 307 Has Become An Established Player In The Family Hatchback Market. Now Theres Even Better Value Available. Steve Ghosley Reports
The chunky Peugeot 307 has been with us now since 2001 and still retains a relatively new and edgy look. Yet thats not enough to maintain strong sales. Hence the importance of added value special edition models like the 307 X-Line we look at here. With cars like this, providing that customers would have specified the additional equipment included anyway, they cant lose.
The 307 X-line is basically an enhanced entry-level model with prices starting at £10,995 - the same as the base Style trim level. The X-line is available in both three and five-door body styles but does not include the larger SW variant in its repertoire. For both body styles the customer can choose between a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 2.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
0-litre HDi 90bhp diesel unit. Additionally, for the three-door version only, there is an option of a 1.4-litre petrol powerplant. Standard equipment is liberally loaded into this 307 variant, with features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, remote central locking and variable speed power steering.
The additional extras there to entice you into buying the X-line version include 15-inch alloy wheels, manual air-conditioning, a CD-player, fully colour-coded exterior trim and special X-line carpet mats. For an entry-level model, this really is a small car that comes laden with big car features. 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.
For an entry-level model, the X-line belies its modest status and feels much more up-market than it really is. Even the cheapest 1.4-litre petrol engine is capable of reaching 60mph in 14.6 seconds on the way to 104mph, whilst averaging an excellent 42.
0mpg. The more brawny 1.6-litre version reduces that sprint to 11.0 seconds, adds 14mph to the top whack and will return broadly similar fuel consumption figures.
The 2.0-litre 90bhp HDi diesel reaches 60mph in 12.8 seconds and has a a maximum speed of 111mph. The diesel really scores on the economy stakes, returning 54mpg on the combined cycle.
"For an entry-level model the X-line belies its modest status and feels much more up-market than it really is"
Fiddling with the details is a luxury afforded only to those whove got the fundamentals right and, with the 307,
Peugeot can count themselves amongst this elite group. The sleek lines of the 307 disguise the fact that its the tallest car in the sector. Only the slightly awkward rear view betrays the Peugeots loftiness, and this helps contribute to making the 307 one of the biggest cars in its class, specifically in terms of head and legroom. Another side effect of the high roof and cab forward design is the biggest windscreen of any family hatchback.
Its a serious piece of glazing, a flush pane that soars higher than expected, giving the interior an airy feel. Peugeot have paid great attention to the way that cars are typically used. Step from a 307 into a ten year-old car and apart from the claustrophobic feel, the first thing youll notice is that theres nowhere to put your take away, nowhere to store an atlas, not enough space in the glove compartment, nowhere to store anything out of sight of prying eyes and nowhere you could conceivably place a bottle. The 307 addresses all of these problems, ingeniously offering enough room in the cavernous front door bins to carry a 1.
5-litre bottle and building in lessons learnt from years of MPV production such as sliding underseat storage trays. It even features cargo nets in the hatch to stop luggage from looking like its been on a spin cycle after spirited driving. 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. The 307 is tightly screwed together, and uses a high grade of plastics, giving a subjective impression of quality to the interior.
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 mud flaps made from what were once polypropylene bottles and soundproofing that uses recycled textiles. The Peugeot 307 X-line Special Edition does offer good value for money despite being an entry-level model.
It helps of course that the basic package is right already. Now, its just a bit more enticing.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Peugeot 307 X-line Special Edition range
PRICES: from £10,995 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 159-169g/km
PERFORMANCE: [HDi 90] 0-60mph 12.8s/ Max Speed 111mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6] (urban] 29.7mpg / (extra urban) 48.7mpg / (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Dual, Side and Curtain Airbags / ABS and EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] Length/Width/Height mm 4202/1746/1512
<< Back to Peugeot car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Peugeot Cars For Sale UK
