Peugeot 4007 2010 review

A sensible Mitsubishi Outlander wrapped in stylish Peugeot bodywork sounds like a good idea.  Which is precisely why the French company has produced its latest, the 4007.

Despite years of resisting the SUV push - Xavier Peugeot once said he thought the 4007 was too much of a departure for Peugeot - the company has been forced to accept the sales growth of compact soft-roaders.  Peugeot is now playing catch-up, aiming to recover some of the ground lost to the Japanese, Koreans and even European contenders like the classy Renault Koleos.

Peugeot may have had to be dragged into the off-roader segment but since its launch, the company has sold more than 25,000 4007s worldwide.  However, the 4007 is still a curious cross-cultural experiment.  It uses the Mitsubishi Outlander body, all-wheel drive system and interior as well as Peugeot's own state-of-the-art 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine under the bonnet.

Peugeot has redesigned the front of the car to give it not only a Pug family look but a beefier off-road presence. It also threw in a bit more chrome at the SV model but the rear-end and interior are still easily identified as the Outlander.

Models and prices

In Australia there are two 4007 models, a starter ST and more luxuriously appointed SV.  Prices open at $45,490 for the six-speed manual ST, topping out at $54,190 for the leather-clad SV with a six-speed dual clutch gearbox.

Fit-out and equipment

With a seven-seat option the 4007 is definitely aimed at families with a versatile seating and load carrying arrangement. The SV gets the third row pew, which retracts into the floor when not needed, as standard.  The second-row sliding seats also split 40/60 while the entire row can be flipped and folded away automatically in the SV.

Like the Outlander, the rear tailgate is a split affair. The lower section can fold down to be used as a picnic table or seat and can support up to 200kg, equivalent to two adults and a cheese platter.  The SV gets all the fruit expected of a range topper.

There are six airbags, electronic stability control, cruise control, rear park sensors, climate control air-conditioning, 18 wheels, rear privacy glass, chrome door sill kick plates and window surrounds, Xenon headlights, leather trim plus electric and heated front seats, Isofix child seat mounting points.

Driving

Anyone jumping out of an Outlander will feel right at home in the 4007.  It drives and feels like the Mitsubishi, and the only real difference is the silky six-speed DSG gearbox and energetic 2.2-litre turbodiesel in place of the 2.4-litre or V6 Mitsubishi engines.

Like all Peugeot diesels, this one is strong on urge and reasonably frugal. I managed a respectable 8.5 litres/100km in mostly city driving.  But it is so torquey at low speeds it will tug at the steering wheel in front-wheel drive mode until speed picks up.

That's really no surprise because 300Nm of torque is readily accessible from just 1500 revs, propelling the car like a slingshot.   The DSG is smooth once underway but can be a little hesitant from the traffic lights.

The diesel heartbeat is well concealed from the cabin. Only under hard acceleration am I aware that this four is an oiler. At cruising speeds the diesel is almost silent.  The suspension comes from the Mitsubishi donor car and still feels too soft and wallowy for me compared to a VW Tiguan or Nissan X-Trail.  For most conditions the ride is fine but push through the corners and the 4007 feels less precise, the extra weight of the diesel over the front end making its presence felt.

Inside, the SV gets leather on the dashboard and seats but still has a little too much Mitsubishi seeping through.  Like the Outlander, the front seats are comfortable and supportive but could do with more vertical adjustment. Even at the lowest setting, they are still set too high. Shorter folk will love the driving position though.  The third row is a child-friendly zone only.

Despite a valiant attempt, Peugeot has not really given the interior enough of a distinct French look or feel. Slam the rear doors and you'll see what I mean. They feel tinny and cheap.  The lack of a reach-adjustable steering wheel has also been inherited from the Outlander.

So the 4007 gives Peugeot a start in the soft-roader race but it has only built a marginally better Outlander. Diehard Peugeot fans will love it but the superb diesel cannot hide the fact that this is really just a more-expensive Mitsubishi.

The bottom line

French off-roader with an identity crisis.

75/100