Peugeot 4007 Estate 2007 - Present

The 4007, by Peugeot is the companies first foray into the 4X4 market.  They’ve cheated somewhat by outsourcing the build to Mitsubishi, who have a long track history of making good 4X4s, and adding personal touches of the lion themselves.  The French manufacturer have provided the tough 2.2L oil-burning unit that is the only engine option.  More soft than off roader the 4007 can seat up to seven people but the two rear fold flat seats are really suitable for children only.

Approaching the 4007 with the remnants of a nights sleep clouding your vision you could easily be forgiven for mistaking it for a Porsche Cayenne.  The handsome body shape is too slick to be considered in anyway rugged.  This is clearly not a vehicle that you’re likely to take off road, it’s just too pretty.  The front grill is, upon inspection, unmistakably Peugeot and the rest of the car is, well large, there’s no other way to put it.  On the inside the Peugeot is well finished, although the interior materials used, while reasonable are not of the highest quality.  Controls are natural and placed in an ergonomically sound manner.  Peugeot don’t claim the car as a full seven seater, owing to the size of the rear two seats.  The other five seats will offer good comfort and space for five adults if required.  They are taught and firm rather than overly padded, but the result is a comfortable ride over all but the longest journey.  There are only two levels of trim and both SE and GT versions come with automatic climate control, electric windows and reclining second row seats.  The GT version also boasting parking sensors, heated seats and a CD multichanger.

There is only one engine available - a 156bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel. The acceleration time from 0-62mph is 9.9 seconds but does feel faster.  As with many diesel units it is the range of the power that is most impressive.  The engine’s grunt and pull are delivered early with maximum torque of 285lb-ftexc available from 2000rpm, but it builds smoothly and quickly from 1250rpm. The excellent six-speed gearbox has short shift action which makes performance through the gears a real treat.   This does almost feel superfluous when the engine pulls like an ox from very low down, making it flexible in all but the highest gears.  Fuel figures are 38 and 39 mpg depending upon the level of trim you choose, so reasonable and not in any way a gas guzzler, despite appearances.

The 4007 is quite a mover on the road, certainly a lot more nimble than you’d expect.   It is stable and has excellent body control, making it very easy to forget you're travelling in a big 4x4.  The steering is responsive and true.  There are decent levels of feedback, well good for such a big vehicle anyway.  It has the option of three different settings for the 4X4 performance; front wheel drive, four wheel drive locked into a 50:50 split between the two axels, or in the 4WD setting it has an active setting that can split between the two axles as required.  The active system responds to the conditions on the road or track in which the car is being driven.

The 4007 is an accomplished car, and very good for a first attempt.  Obviously it’s not a first attempt and Peugeot have, in effect cheated, by getting Mitsubishi to make the car for them but with the increasing collaboration between manufacturers, why not get the experts in.  With the Mitsubishi pedigree the car will probably be reliable and is priced to be a lot cheaper than the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, or the BMW X5. OK it’s not quite in their league but it still punches well over it’s pricetag.

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