Introduction
When we first drove the Peugeot RCZ back in March 2010 we were surprised at how good it was. At that time Peugeot hadn't made a class-leading car for years, or anything even approaching one, so naturally we assumed that the over-styled Audi TT rival we'd seen in the pictures would be an empty vessel. We were wrong.
But that conclusion was drawn after only a few hours behind the wheel on smooth French roads. Can the RCZ retain its glory during a week in the pothole-riddled UK?
What are its rivals?
The Audi TT is the most obvious one given the RCZ's looks, but its also finds rivals in the more practical shape of the VW Scirocco. Logically, an RCZ buyer might also have a look at the Mercedes SLK or the BMW Z4, too, but you'd get only the most basic of those two for the same price as the top spec RCZ GT THP 200 that we're driving here.
How does it drive?
Not quite as impressively as we recall. Peugeot has real problems with its conversions from left- to right-hand drive. It's to do with pedal placement. For whatever reason, right-hand drive Peugeots tend to have cramped foot wells, which makes for badly placed pedals. In this case, they're staggered, with a high clutch, a slightly lower brake and a throttle placed lower again.
It's odd, and combined with an unforgiving biting point, can make gear changes a jolting, over-revving mess. Even though the steering wheel telescopes about three miles inwards, it's difficult to get a really natural feeling driving position.
But, those things aside, the RCZ is good - especially this 1.6-litre turbo 200bhp range topper. The front wheels can get a bit tangled up if they get too busy, but generally this feels like a very well set-up, sharp machine.
When it comes the important stuff in the flash coupé sector - how quick it is away from the lights, how fruity it sounds, how accurate the steering feels - it doesn't falter. Changing gears doesn't feel like pushing a sausage through yesterday's chow mein, and the very pointy, hefty steering flatters to make the car feel extremely agile, too.
What's impressive?
We like the interior. We like how it looks like vaguely all the other Peugeots, but with subtle, better differences and tangibly improved quality. The biggest difference is the removal of that awful and ageing stereo unit - the one still found in Maseratis -for a much nicer one, and the fact you can have a stitched leather dash top. The whole thing is raked forward towards the screen, too, so it has the feel of a petite Lamborghini.
The boot is surprisingly copious and we even managed to squeeze a family of four in, but cabin fever quickly kicked in.
What's not?
The truth is, while it has a far more idiosyncratic and interesting personality than the Audi TT and the VW Scirocco, the RCZ falls infuriatingly short of beating them outright because it's not quite as good at the boring things. Things like a one-size-fits-all driving position, proven resale values (although we can't say for certain yet which way they'll go), unwavering cabin quality and badge prestige.
Should I buy one?
Even though Peugeot has upped its game of late with cars like the 508, this is still the best it does by far. It's a car you won't have to make any excuses for. It's probably the boldest non-supercar on the road, and it's certainly a credible alternative to the TT, if not really any better than it. It has price on its side, too, as this version undercuts an equivalent TT by over a grand.
So yes, if you can resist the lure of the four rings, the RCZ is a very worthwhile alternative.
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