Peugeot 307 2005 review

They are shelling out around $100 a week just to run around town and go on a Sunday drive.

It could make you bitter and twisted.

Their envy, almost anger, is therefore not surprising when they find out our long-term Peugeot 307 Hdi diesel hatch only needs filling once every two to three weeks.

We spend about $25 a week to keep it in diesel - barely a sneeze on the family budget.

And we feel even better in the knowledge that the Pug is generating an absolute minimal amount of emissions thanks to the clean burning, high-tech diesel engine equipped with a particle filter. The diesel Pug passes the stringent Euro 4 emissions regulations not due here until 2008.

Capping off the whole experience is the car's performance.

Far from being sluggish as many people presume, the Hdi engine delivers strong acceleration across a wide rev range. It won't come howling out of the blocks but starts smartly and then all of that 240Nm of torque becomes available at just 1750rpm until about 4000rpm.

It gives the Pug excellent response and makes it a cracker to drive on the freeway or around town for that matter.

There is no need for frantic gear changing, just push the throttle and away it goes – the perfect lazy person's manual.

We have to keep reminding ourselves it's a 1.6-litre engine – available in five door hatch body and also a wagon. A 2.0-litre Hdi is available only in wagon format. The 2.0-litre must be something else due to its 100kw/ 320Nm output – in the same size car.

But for everyday purposes, the 1.6 is just fine.

It's well equipped including climate control air, six air bags and 16in alloy wheels in the price of $29,990.

That's not bad for one of the most economical cars you can lay your hands on in this country. Peugeot says it will go as low as 4.3 litres/100km on the highway cycle, a figure we wouldnt dispute.