Peugeot 1007
Ratings
2 stars
Summary
Not Recommended. Originally intended to appeal to the young and funky, the Peugeot 1007 has become a motorized Zimmer frame.
Review
In the annals of motoring's brave-but-misguided product development decisions you'd have to look hard to find a better example than the 1007.
Peugeot created this strange-looking supermini with two electrically powered sliding doors in a move that was intended to appeal to the sort of young, upmarket consumers with whom car manufacturers are besotted. Yet the 1007's awkward looks, high prices and poor driving experience have ensured that most of the (very limited) interest for it has come from the elderly and mobility impaired.
The 1007's styling is definitely its single weakest area, made too tall and upright by the packaging requirements of the doors. The interior is more successful, with funky design details including the ability to clip in different colours of door and seat trim panels. Space is good for front seat occupants and the doors certainly make access easier, but getting into the back is a bit of a struggle and rear legroom is tight. The boot is tiny, too.
Nor can the 1007 evince any enthusiasm on the road where its clumpy ride quality and poor performance quickly mark it down as a dynamic sluggard. The basic 1.4 litre petrol engine really struggles to deliver performance while a lurch-prone semi-automatic gearbox on the 1.6 litre petrol means it doesn't feel much faster. Even Peugeot's normally excellent 1.4 litre HDI diesel can't muster much urge, although it does manage impressive fuel economy.
An interesting - and brave - car from Peugeot. But one with its entry into the list of Great Automotive Failures already marked.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
2 star
Awkward, gawky styling is dominated by the vast, sliding doors. It looks too tall and too narrow.
Handling
2 star
Insipid dynamic performance with poor grip and lots of body roll under anything approaching enthusiastic use.
Comfort
3 star
There's loads of space, and the less mobile will find it easy to get in and out, but the 1007's bumpy ride quickly becomes wearing on longer journeys.
Quality & Reliability
3 star
Reasonably well put together, and the sliding electric doors seem nicely engineered - but slow.
Performance
2 star
None of the three engine options manages to produce respectable performance figures, although the 1.4 HDI diesel gets closest. The nasty
Roominess
3 star
There's plenty of room in the front, but rear seat occupants lack legroom and the boot isn't up to much, either.
Running Costs
4 star
1.4 litre petrol and diesel engines deliver reasonable economy and depreciation is no worse than the segment average, despite high initial prices.
Value for money
2 star
Peugeot's pricing policy was based on the 1007 being able to take on cars like the Mini - something it never stood a chance of doing. Looks expensive and under-equipped considering its diminutive dimensions.
