With its supercar good looks and competitive price, the Peugeot RCZ is a real head-turner especially with its distinctive double bubble roof.
But the most satisfying things about this Audi TT rival are that it’s fun to drive, comfortable and relatively cheap to run. Up front it feels spacious, and the boot is a reasonable size, so it’s easy to live with day-to-day. It’s a 2+2 coupé by name, but you can forget about using the back seats for anyone but small children as they’re tiny. The petrol and diesel engines offer decent economy and performance, the 4.5l/100km diesel rivals superminis for fuel consumption.
The RCZ is the best driver’s car that Peugeot has built for as long as I can remember. From behind the wheel it feels special because the interior detailing is so good – with rubberised stereo buttons and dashboard stitching. The RCZ’s steering is accurate and the gearbox has a precise shift. Whichever engine you choose, the RCZ drives like a sports car should, with lots of grip and predictable, neutral cornering. Both engines have pace, but deliver it in different ways: the diesel has loads of low-rev pulling power, whereas the petrol engine responds to being revved hard – and are therefore sportier and
more involving.
Sometimes car companies make the mistake of giving a sports car suspension that’s so hard it rattles the occupants about. Not so Peugeot with the RCZ. It still feels firm over poor road surfaces, but it smoothes out most roads like a decent sporty family hatchback would. It can get slightly shaky on the motorway, and larger potholes will send a big thud through the cabin, but the RCZ balances sporty handling and comfort very well. The front seats are spacious, while engine, wind and tyre noise are low.
Safety features are good – the car comes equipped with all kinds of electronic driver safety aids and four airbags.
The RCZ’s boot is actually quite big, and it maximises its space because the rear hatch opening and floor area are massive, making it easy to drop bulky items into. The rear bench folds down easily to create an even bigger load area.
Compared to the up market Audi TT, the RCZ is great value, as it undercuts it on price and comes with more equipment as standard. As standard you get alloy wheels, dual-zone air-conditioning and front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps. The RCZ is a must for the shopping list if you are in the market for a new sports car.
Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 blends the best qualities of a hatchback, a people carrier and a 4×4. This quirky look is a step in a new direction for Peugeot, as is the interior, which is beautifully built and feels like a premium product. It’s practical, too, as the split tailgate is very convenient and the cabin is well thought out.
Oz Peugeot has brought in two engine choices – the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine with 115kW, and the more powerful fast and frugal 2.0-litre diesel engine with 120kW.
Despite the size of the 3008 and its tall dimensions, there’s not much in the way of wind noise and the cabin is pretty quiet, even at speed. The seats are comfortable, although they could do with a little more back support. A large windscreen is standard on all models and it stretches up over the driver’s head, letting plenty of light into the interior.
Six airbags and electronic stability control are standard. The 3008 scored a maximum five stars overall in the Euro NCAP crash tests, which is very impressive. The 3008 is extremely well built and a vast improvement over Peugeots of old, so we’d expect it to do better than its predecessors.
Versatility is at the core of the 3008’s appeal. It has a split tailgate that opens in two parts and the boot itself can accommodate a decent 512 litres of luggage. The boot also has a moveable floor with three different positions and the rear seats split 60/40 and fold down to create a totally flat floor. Up front, there’s a seemingly endless amount of storage including big door pockets, a pair of cup-holders, a large box in the centre console and more.
Starting prices are quite affordable for a vehicle in this segment of the market. There is a choice of two specs and the ‘lower specced’ XSE, with still enough bells and whistles to keep you happy, starts at around $40K.
Peugeot 4007
If you think you have seen this car before – you have – but with another badge on a slightly different front. Peugeot 4007 SUV is a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Outlander, which adds Peugeot’s distinctive styling to Mitsubishi’s focus on build quality and engineering. The single engine offered is Peugeot’s own 2.2-litre diesel, and it’s an impressive performer, as it’s strong from low-revs and is smooth and quiet on the motorway. Two extra seats are stowed under the boot floor, which boosts versatility.
Despite its off-road ability, the 4007 is designed with good on-road manners in mind. Therefore it’s first and foremost a spacious and practical family car that’s enjoyable to drive. The sixth and seventh seats are tiny and only suitable for occasional use. The boot is big and has a split tailgate, which is convenient for loading. Like the Nissan X-Trail, the cabin feels workmanlike, but it has a clear layout, is easy to use and
feels robust.
Andrew Koch
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