Not the best design period
In the autumn of 2003 we caught it without camouflage plastic for the first time: the Peugeot 407. On that car debuted the ‘shark mouth’ that would characterize the Peugeots of the following years. A look back at the arrival of the 407 and what we did with that model at AutoWeek.
Lovers of a ‘classic’ Peugeot sedan? After 8 years 406, they are speechless for a while. Gone are the clean straight lines and the understated nose. Peugeot states that its D-segmenter should get ‘more allure’. The driving introduction with the 407 only follows when it is almost summer in 2004, but the Peugeot career is now quickly gaining steam. A few weeks later, the 407, together with Volvo’s S40 and the slogan ‘will this be your next lease car?’, is AutoWeeks cover star. On the inside pages a large multi-test in which the Peugeot, in addition to the Volvo, competes against the Citroën C5, Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna, Mazda 6 and Opel Vectra. The Peugeot beats the Renault, the Citroen and the Mazda. We are impressed by the design and the quiet and smooth running of the two-liter HDiF diesel, but we find the finish below par and the gearbox shifts hakerig. And there are (too) many buttons on that busy console! It remains at fourth place, Peugeot just has to let the compact Volvo go ahead and the established order holds: Mondeo in second and Vectra in one. The Peugeot is good, but not good enough…
Even more extreme was the 407 SW
Perhaps the even more extreme designed station wagon can break more pots? He made his debut at the end of 2004 as a multi-test victim. Back in the ring with damned Vectra. Now it’s about the model with petrol engine (407 2.2. XT). The bargain ‘French battle’ above the conclusion suggests the worst: the Peugeot carries the red lantern together with the Volvo V50. The 407 SW scores with comfort and design, but otherwise presents itself insufficiently. The Citroën C5 scores much better as a total package and shares the podium with the Opel.
In 2009 Peugeot 407 in the Japanese corner
We will drive the last multi-test with the 407 in 2009. Next the sensual suspects the Toyota Avensis and the Honda Accord will be added. A car that is already difficult to keep up with on its debut, usually only gets more difficult when years are added. And it shows: “The age of the 407 can be read from its carriage and the dashboard. The 408 that is on the schedule is not a moment too soon.” We do have a good word about safety features and consumption. But in the conclusion, the word ‘fence closer’ is used in the 407 and another sneer follows at the cumbersome operation. The then new Avensis wins the test.
Shark mouth is a thing of the past with successor
The 407 in a nutshell: not a bad car but it scores mediocre at best against its competitors. But, new round, new opportunities. Its successor, the 508, will appear in 2011. The shark population has been sent back to the deep seabed. Lovers of the ‘classic’ Peugeot are again served at their beck and call.
The above tests are just a few examples, the Peugeot 407 came into action much more often. Here you will find all the tests that AutoWeek has done with the Peugeot 407. This also includes tests of the 407 Coupé. As a logged-in user, you can download the comparative tests as a PDF.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl