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SEVEN UP

Models Covered: 2.0, 2.2 petrol, 2.0, 2.2 HDi turbo diesel, [S, LX, SE, GLX, Executive, Executive SE])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

The market for large MPVs has gone through a number of seismic shifts since the Renault Espace established the genre in the UK back in the late eighties. Ford, Volkswagen And SEAT weighed in with their Galaxy/Sharan and Alhambra trio and ruled the roost until they were suddenly made to look a little old hat by another heavyweight trio of contenders, the Peugeot 807, the Citroen C8 and the Fiat Ulysse. Of these three, the 807 is the most upmarket choice and therefore comes into the sights of the best of the prestige people carriers. A used example offers you many more options than you’d believe if all you were accustomed to was an early MPV. Take a look at an 807 and you may well be swayed from the usual executive saloon or estate fare.

Product development is an odd business. Some manufacturers go about it in a very stealthy manner, continually and quietly changing parts of a model until the car you look at in the showrooms today shares barely a common part with the ostensibly similar model of a few years back. Others carmakers prefer to sweep the decks, banishing a festering old model to history with a shiny successor. Peugeot certainly adopted the latter tack with the 807. Its predecessor the Peugeot 806 was a likeable enough large MPV People Carrier, if a little old fashioned. Drive an 806 and you were reminded that the cutting edge had disappeared so far over the horizon that you had to frequently check the rear view mirror lest it came around and shunted you in the rear. Largely abandoned in an inconspicuous corner of Peugeot’s product range, the 806 was left way behind by more modern rivals like the Ford Galaxy and the Toyota Previa. If revenge is a dish best served cold, then Peugeot’s rivals probably got the mother of all ice cream headaches when the 807 was launched. The 807 is a model which managed to turn the establishment on its head, making what we thought were the class best look a little old hat. The adventurous styling is a major plus in a sea of family hutches, the front carrying its maker’s family look a little more successfully than that worn by its Citroen C8 and Fiat Ulysse siblings. The flanks are a little more generic, but the neatly styled rear is as good as anything Renault could come up with. Moreover, the interior is something to behold, with a dashboard that is quite unlike anything yet seen. The range received a mild tweak in 2003 with automatic gearboxes being added to the 2.0-litre HDi diesel models. In mid 2005, the range was slimed down with the 2.2-litre petrol engine getting the chop along with the Executive SE trim level. Then, towards the end of the same year, the 807 received a new multiplex wiring system which enabled Peugeot to include a superior electronic stability programme, an upgraded stereo and cruise control with a speed limiter. The process of removing the rear seats was simplified with a revised latch mechanism and the 2.0-litre petrol engine was upgraded from 138 to 143bhp. In the early part of 2006, the 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine was upgraded from 110bhp to 120bhp. Another tweak to the engine line-up in early 2008 saw the arrival of a 2.2-litre HDi diesel with 170bhp. At this point all models also got body-coloured bumpers and side mouldings.

Four trim levels are available, starting with LX, rising through GLX, Executive and Executive SE. Even the entry-level model gets a CD stereo, digital air conditioning, a dash-mounted multifunction display screen and remote central locking, but the real party piece comes when you step up to the GLX model. This features electrically operated sliding side doors which can be triggered via the key fob. If only they were a little quicker or the key fob had more range, the effect would be better but it’s still pretty slick stuff. They also remove the embarrassment of children opening rear doors into parked cars in public car parks. Practicality is also a major plus. All three rows of seats are mounted on runners, which means that adjusting for optimal legroom is simplicity itself. There are the usual zillion and one different combinations as to how you can arrange the seats and the front seats even capable of swivelling to create what Peugeot call "a sitting room environment." Somewhat comically, they then append this with "when parked." The 807 excels at shoulder room but others offer more total legroom. As with any MPV, the rear seats are removable, but they are very heavy and even a minor error in aligning the feet with the runners to re-engage them will cause the seats to jam, requiring a hefty shoulder to free them again. The range-topping Executive SE comes with six individual ‘captain’s chairs’ rather than the usual two-three-two seating set up. As avant garde as it is, the 807 doesn’t offer up a solution to the eternal MPV gripe that with all the seats in place there isn’t space for luggage. Perhaps Peugeot should offer subsidised roof boxes with every purchase. Four-zone air conditioning helps combat the effect of no less than three sunroofs. Multiplex wiring allows for such electronic niceties as light sensitive headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers and speed indexing of the stereo volume, as well as rear parking sensors, guide-me-home headlights and remote control operation of the sunroofs, windows, door mirrors and the sliding doors.

No real giveaways here – the 807 is well regarded by the industry who know there are no shortage of ready buyers for clean low mileage examples. You’ll need to fork out at least £10,675 to get behind the wheel of the most basic model, the 2.0-litre petrol LX on a 52 plate, although many will prefer to fork out an additional £400 for an automatic version. The 2.2-litre petrol model opens at £11,325 in GLX trim with Executives starting at £12,550. Our advice would be to ignore these cars. The diesel models are the informed choice and for a 2.0-litre diesel you can expect to pay £11,625 for an LX with an Executive retailing at £12,800. Automatic gearboxes for the 2.0HDi weren’t launched until 2003. The top of the range 2.2-litre HDi Executive SE is the model to go for if you want to impress your friends with all manner of electronic gizmos but you’ll need a hefty £14,200 to get your hands on the first of the 52 plated cars.

Despite the abundance of complicated electronics, the 807 has thus far received a fairly clean bill of health. As with all MPVs, you'll need to watch for damage to the interior trim – scratches, cracks and so on. Make sure your 807 hasn’t lived a hard life as an airport shuttle but by and large the diesel engines can shrug off some surprisingly big numbers on the clock. Watch out too for parking bumps and scrapes from drivers unused to the car's size. Check for uneven front tyre wear. If your 807 has been fitted with the electrically sliding doors, make sure these work as there have been reports of faulty units.

(based on a 2003 807 2.0HDi ex Vat) A clutch assembly is around £185, a radiator (on air-conditioned cars) £165, front brake pads £60, rear pads £40, a starter motor £195 and an alternator around £265.

Four engines are available; two petrol units and a pair of diesels. The petrol engines are both modern 16v items, the 2.0-litre version generating 138bhp or 143bhp in later forms and the 2.2-litre powerplant, which was discontinued in 2005, managing a healthy 160bhp. The diesels will also be familiar to seasoned Peugeot watchers, having seen service in various other Peugeot ranges. The 2.0HDi 16v is good for 110bhp with its more powerful sibling generating 136bhp and the 2.2-litre 170bhp option was introduced in 2008. The 807 is good to drive, with all the engines having a claim on your attention. The gearchange isn’t the last word in sweet shifting slickness, but an automatic is available if this feature grates. The 807 is stuffed to its very gunwales with safety equipment which has resulted in a creditable four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. As well as the customary twin front airbags, the 807 gets side bags and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, making it the first car in the world to feature this facility as standard. Anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are fitted on every model, whilst ESP stability control and ASR traction control systems are fitted to all 2.2-litre models from GLX up and to all models from late 2005 onwards. Recognising that driver distraction by children is a contributory factor in a growing proportion of accidents, Peugeot have fitted an ingenious retractable "child check" mirror. This allows the driver to keep a safe eye on the kids in the back or alternatively see what colour the little horrors would like the upholstery to be this week.

If you want the best large MPV that sensible money can buy, the 807 is probably it. Of course, it’s very much a case of getting what you pay for. Other MPVs may seem far better value but if you’re used to luxuries and appreciate slick design, the 807 will seem worth the premium. Best buy is probably an early 2.2-litre HDi GLX, which manages to strike a decent balance between affordability, features, power and economy.

SLICK & SENSIBLE
Equipped With A Slick 6-Speed Manual Gearbox, The 2.2 HDi Version of Peugeot’s 807 People Carrier Is Now The Most Appealing Variant In An Increasingly Popular MPV Line-Up. Jonathan Crouch Reports

In contrast to its predecessor, Peugeot’s 807 people carrier is really selling rather well. Over 3,200 examples were registered here in its first full year of sale and, thanks to a helpful five star safety rating from the Euro NCAP people and constant tweaks, things continue to look positive for the French maker in the large MPV market.

The version we’re looking at here is the one that many people tend to opt for the 136bhp 2.2-litre HDi diesel, a car improved by the fitment of Peugeot’s latest 6-speed manual gearbox, as developed for the 607 and 407 saloon models. This ML6C transmission aims to provide a number of benefits such as improved fuel consumption, more relaxed driving and a reduction in CO2 emissions. As important for families is the news, via Euro NCAP, that you can’t buy a safer MPV – at least in terms of passive safety. Peugeot have thought about active safety too, deciding that all diesel buyers will get the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard. Less worthy but equally enticing extra fitments include 16" Largo alloy wheels on Executive 2.2-litre variants as standard equipment. The 2.2-litre diesel is one of three engines you can choose with your 807, but it’s by far the most preferable. There doesn’t seem much point in specifying the petrol unit (a 138bhp 2.0-litre) when the HDi engines are almost as quiet and provide much superior mid-Range torque along with infinitely better fuel consumption. The 120bhp 2.0-litre HDi diesel, meanwhile, makes a good stab at powering the substantial 807 but still lacks a little punch. To be honest, even fitted with the 136bhp 2.2 HDi, this 807 is no ball of fire. The 6-speed 2.2-litre HDi we’re looking at here has a pretty slick manual change and the prodigious torque of the engine means that you don’t have to row the thing along with the gearlever. We tried the automatic version as well and now that the manual ‘box has that extra speed, we’d probably opt for it over the auto. Prices for this variant start from £23,655 for the 2.2 litre HDi diesel SE and run to £24,995 for the flagship Executive 2.2 HDi.

"The 807 is stuffed to its very gunwales with safety equipment"

Even the SE model gets a CD stereo, digital air conditioning, a dash-mounted multifunction display screen and remote central locking, Plus electrically operated sliding side doors which can be triggered via the key fob. If only they were a little quicker or the key fob had more Range, the effect would be better but it’s still pretty slick stuff. They also remove the embarrassment of children opening rear doors into parked cars in public car parks. Recognising that driver distraction by children is a contributory factor in a growing proportion of accidents, Peugeot have fitted an ingenious retractable "child check" mirror. This allows the driver to keep a safe eye on the kids in the back or alternatively see what colour the little horrors would like the upholstery to be this week. As with all 807 models, practicality is a major Plus. All three rows of seats are mounted on runners, which means that adjusting for optimal legroom is simplicity itself. There are the usual zillion and one different combinations as to how you can arRange the seats and the front seats even capable of swivelling to create what Peugeot call "a sitting room environment." Somewhat comically, they then append this with "when parked." The 807 excels at shoulder room but others offer more total legroom. As with any MPV, the rear seats are removable, but they are very heavy and even a minor error in aligning the feet with the runners to re-engage them will cause the seats to jam, requiring a hefty shoulder to free them again. As Avant garde as it is, the 807 doesn’t offer up a solution to the eternal MPV gripe that with all the seats in place there isn’t space for luggage. Perhaps Peugeot should offer subsidised roof boxes with every purchase. Four-zone air conditioning helps combat the effect of no less than three sunroofs. Multiplex wiring allows for such electronic niceties as light sensitive headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers and speed indexing of the stereo volume, as well as rear parking sensors, guide-me-home headlights and remote control operation of the sunroofs, windows, door mirrors and the sliding doors. The Peugeot 807 has consigned memories of its underwhelming predecessor to history and offers an all-round blend of talents that are unsurpassed in the MPV sector. Yes, you can buy a bigger MPV or a more powerful one, but nothing combines style, safety and innovation quite as convincingly as the 807. The days when the Ford Galaxy/Volkswagen Sharan/SEAT Alhambra trio bossed this division have well and truly come to an end. In the 807 it would seem Peugeot have their number. Overall, if you want a large-sized people carrying MPV, you can’t afford not to include the 807 on your shopping list. And if you’re looking at an 807, then you can’t afford to ignore this particular version. It’s as simple as that.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Peugeot 807 2.2 HDi 6-speed PRICES: £23,655-£24,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 12 CO2 EMISSIONS: 199g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 113mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 38.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, mm 4727/1818/1752

PEUGEOT PLAY THE NUMBERS GAME
Can Peugeot’s Plush MPV Represent A Credible Alternative To The More Usual Saloon For Business Users? Andy Enright Finds Out

If you’ve got £25,000 to spend on a company car, chances are you’ve ascended the slippery pole far enough to know a good thing when you see one. Despite this, many corporate user choosers given such a budget never get beyond BMW, Audi or Mercedes. The lure of the premium badges just proves too strong. Yes, alternatives do exist in the shape of Saab, Jaguar, Volvo and Lexus but who would think to blow that budget on a Peugeot? And an 807 HDi Executive people carrier at that? It might seem like a bizarre idea but there are a number of reasons why this could be a very canny move.

The first and most obvious one is that you get a lot of metal for your money. Somewhat depressingly, £25,000 won’t buy a whole lot of BMW, Audi or Mercedes these days. Opt instead for the big Peugeot and not only is there plenty of room, but there’s also a massive level of standard equipment. Our vehicle was fitted with full leather upholstery, 16-inch Largo alloy wheels, CD stereo, digital air conditioning, a dash-mounted multifunction display screen, remote central locking, satellite navigation and an Alpine DVD entertainment system featuring flip down screens. Yes, you will have to pay a little extra for the entertainment system but it’s a good deal less than the German manufacturers will charge. It represents an ideal opportunity to get your corporate message across or a personalised greeting when picking up guests from an airport. With DVD burning and video studios in most large companies these days, a briefing disc can be created quickly and easily. The 807 also makes sense when it comes to balancing the books. These vehicles command healthy residual values and even if you plump for the steeper depreciation curve of a well stuffed top of the line model, the keen fuel economy and competitive carbon dioxide emissions defray that considerably. To put it into perspective, the 2.2-litre diesel engine delivers a combined fuel economy figure of 38.2 mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 199 g/km. This is from an engine that’s good for a healthy 130 bhp, with a maximum torque of 235 lb/ft at 2,000 rpm and a top speed of 113 mph. Well able to hold its own in the cut and thrust of the British motorway system in other words. The seating capacity of the 807 also means that costs can be cut by running one car when on other occasions you’d need two vehicles. The adventurous styling is a major Plus in a sea of family hutches, the front carrying its maker’s family look a little more successfully than that worn by its Citroen C8 sibling (which along with Fiat’s Ulysse, shares the same basic design). The flanks are a little more generic, but the neatly styled rear is as good as anything Renault could come up with. Moreover, the interior is something to behold, with a dashboard that is quite unlike anything yet seen.

"The Executive model features a real party piece"

The Executive model features a real party piece - electrically operated sliding side doors which can be triggered via the key fob. If only they were a little quicker or the key fob had more Range, the effect would be better but it’s still pretty slick stuff. As you may have realised, the great thing about an 807 is that it can double up as a dual use vehicle. Sure you may need a decent car vac but it can work as a family vehicle at the weekends and then revert to business mode during the week. The sliding doors can thus also remove the embarrassment of children opening rear doors into parked cars in public car parks. One thing that will be of interest to fleet managers is the fact that the 807 is stuffed to its very gunwales with safety equipment resulting in a creditable four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. As well as the customary twin front airbags, the 807 gets side bags and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, making it the first car in the world to feature this facility as standard. Naturally its in the company’s best interests to make sure their fleet vehicles don’t get involved in a crash in the first place and to this end the 807 gets anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, while the Executive also gets ESP stability control and an ASR traction control system. Recognising that driver distraction by children is a contributory factor in a growing proportion of accidents, Peugeot have fitted an ingenious retractable "child check" mirror. This allows the driver to keep a safe eye on the kids in the back. Practicality is also a major Plus. All three rows of seats are mounted on runners, which means that adjusting for optimal legroom is simplicity itself. There are the usual zillion and one different combinations as to how you can arRange the seats and the front seats even capable of swivelling to create what Peugeot call "a sitting room environment." Somewhat comically, they then append this with "when parked." The 807 excels at shoulder room but others offer more total legroom. Four-zone air conditioning helps combat the effect of no less than three sunroofs. Multiplex wiring allows for such electronic niceties as light sensitive headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers and speed indexing of the stereo volume, as well as rear parking sensors, guide-me-home headlights and remote control operation of the sunroofs, windows, door mirrors and the sliding doors. So, we’ve come to the conclusion that the 807 HDi Executive is big, safe, well equipped, relatively inexpensive to run and able to offer a number of interesting options to the business user. Such is the refinement and style of top line MPV models that they also confer a professional corporate image and can offer valued employees with families a welcome fringe benefit. If you’re about to tick a box marked BMW, Mercedes or Audi, think outside the box for a second. The Peugeot 807 may represent the sort of lateral thinking that will pay dividends.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Peugeot 807 2.2HDi Executive PRICE: £24,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 13 CO2 EMISSIONS: 195-199g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 113mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 38.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, mm 4727/1818/1752

PLAYING THE NUMBERS GAME
The Revised Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi Is An Affordable MPV That Doesn’t Compromise On Safety. By Andy Enright

The perfect family vehicle has yet to be invented but the current state of the art has a few basic requirements. First up is a diesel engine that serves up a healthy slug of torque combined with manageable fuel economy. The next prerequisite is space and lots of it. Enough space for a family of five or six and their gear is a good starter. Finally, the vehicle should not skimp on safety equipment. A Euro NCAP five star rating is mandatory. Combine these requirements and you’ll end up with only a handful of credible contenders. Some will be very expensive indeed. Then there’s the Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi.

Granted, a two-litre engine doesn’t sound like it’s going to have the lugging power to haul your family and their bags and if this were a petrol MPV, I’d agree. The diesel engine fitted to this Peugeot was revised a while back to offer a little more in the way of power – up 10bhp to 120bhp – and the torque figure was also increased to 225lb/ft. This is the important bit as far as this engine is concerned. More torque equals more muscle at your disposal and that’s what you need when you’re faced with a big hill, an 807 that’s loaded to the gunwales and a deadline to meet. Naturally, if you drive with a leaden right boot and a fully-loaded vehicle, it’s doubtful you’ll get within swatting distance of Peugeot’s claimed 40.9mpg combined fuel economy figure but this 807 is by no means a guzzler. On a motorway run Peugeot quote a figure of 48.7mpg. Equally impressive for a vehicle of this size are the 807 2.0 HDi’s green credentials. The 182g/km of carbon dioxide this model emits is the same as a 1.6-litre Ford Ka, a vehicle which, incidentally, can’t match the 807’s fuel figures. Where’s the catch?

"The 807 2.0 HDi has more muscle than you’d ever credit."

It certainly doesn’t come with the upfront price. For a full-sized and rather well-equipped MPV, the 807 2.0-litre HDi isn’t unduly dear. The range starts at £21,095 on the road for the S model, moving up through £22,895 for the SE with the range-topping Executive pitched at £24,595. Even the entry-level model gets a CD stereo, digital air conditioning, a dash-mounted multifunction display screen and remote central locking, but the real party piece comes when you step up to the plusher derivatives. These feature electrically-operated sliding side doors which can be triggered via the key fob. If only they were a little quicker or the key fob had more range, the effect would be better but it’s still pretty slick stuff. They also remove the embarrassment of children opening rear doors into parked cars in public car parks. When the 807 was first introduced, it was a radically different car to its predecessor - the frumpy 806 - as were the two other cars developed alongside it, Citroen’s C8 and the Fiat Ulysse. Since then however, the French company has gone the route of stealthy change, culminating in the most recent package of updates which came without significant change to pricing. The 807 is stuffed with safety equipment which has resulted in a creditable five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. As well as the customary twin front airbags, the 807 gets side bags and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, making it the first car in the world to feature this facility as standard. Anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are fitted on every model. Recognising that driver distraction by children is a contributory factor in a growing proportion of accidents, Peugeot have fitted an ingenious retractable "child check" mirror. This allows the driver to keep a safe eye on the kids in the back or, alternatively, see what colour the little horrors would like the upholstery to be this week. Practicality is also a major plus. All three rows of seats are mounted on runners, which means that adjusting for optimal legroom is simplicity itself. There are the usual zillion and one different combinations as to how you can arrange the seats and the front seats are even capable of swivelling to create what Peugeot call "a sitting room environment." Somewhat comically, they then append this with "when parked." The 807 excels at shoulder room but others offer more total legroom. As with any MPV, the rear seats are removable, but they are very heavy and even a minor error in aligning the feet with the runners to re-engage them will cause the seats to jam, requiring a hefty shoulder to free them again. As avant garde as it is, the 807 doesn’t offer up a solution to the eternal MPV gripe that with all the seats in place, there isn’t space for luggage. Perhaps Peugeot should offer subsidised roof boxes with every purchase. Four-zone air-conditioning helps combat the effect of no less than three sunroofs. Multiplex wiring allows for such electronic niceties as light sensitive headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers and speed indexing of the stereo volume, as well as rear parking sensors, guide-me-home headlights and remote control operation of the sunroofs, windows, door mirrors and the sliding doors. Peugeot needs to be on its mettle in this corner of the market as things are rapidly changing. Ford’s Galaxy and S-MAX models have rewritten the rules as far as driver appeal is concerned and Renault’s Espace continues to be the benchmark by which all the rest are judged. Between the dynamic Ford and the expensive Renault there is breathing room for a car like the 807 2.0-litre HDi and it scores so highly because it offers so many of the qualities that ‘real world’ buyers desire rather than the factors automotive lifestyle consultants think they want. The ability to clean up spilled drinks easily may not be as sexy as the ability to carry a BASE jumping rig and three windsurfers but that’s what sells vehicles like this. If you’ve got a pragmatic streak and can prioritise the important factors, the Peugeot scores very highly. It’s not perfect but it’s closer than most of its rivals and that may well be enough.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi range PRICES: £21,095-£24,595 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 10 CO2 EMISSIONS: 182-213g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 111mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 40.9mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, mm 4727/1818/1752

SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Peugeot’s versatile 807 MPV has been significantly improved with a powerful 2.2-litre diesel option and a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission. Andy Enright checks it out

Product development is an odd business. Some manufacturers go about it in a very stealthy manner, continually and quietly changing parts of a model until the car you look at in the showrooms today shares barely a common part with the ostensibly similar model of a few years back. Others carmakers prefer to sweep the decks, banishing a festering old model to history with a shiny successor. Peugeot have taken both tacks with the 807.

When the 807 was first introduced, it was a radically different car to its predecessor, the frumpy 806, as were the two other cars developed alongside it, Citroen’s C8 and Fiat Ulysse. Since then however, the French company has gone the route of stealthy change, culminating in the most recent package of updates which have come without significant change to pricing which starts at £19,695. So to the changes. The big one is the introduction of the 170bhp 2.2-litre HDi engine to top off the engine range although Peugeot has also indulged in some cosmetic jiggery-pokery in an effort to keep the 807 fresh. All models now have body-coloured bumpers and side mouldings with chrome inserts for the door handles. The interior is now in Mistral Black trim which aims to inject a little class to proceedings. In addition to the technical tweaks, the 807 range gets a package of specific trim level enhancements. The hierarchy runs from S through SE to Executive and it’s the SE models that profit most. These versions now feature the Visibility Pack which includes automatic headlamps with security illumination that keeps the lights on while you get to your door and rain-sensing wipers. A leather steering wheel and tinted side glass are also thrown in. The Executive derivatives get front parking sensors and black leather trim. The engine range is heavily weighted towards diesel. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 143bhp opens proceedings and does a commendable job but from there, it’s oil-burning all the way. The 2.0HDi 16v diesel engine is good for 120bhp, not too far shy of its more powerful 136bhp 2.0-litre sibling. The range-topping unit brings 2.2-litres and 170bhp to the party ably escorted by a 375Nm torque output accessible through a freshly developed six-speed automatic gearbox. That’s a lot of muscle, even compared to the 320Nm you get from the more powerful 2.0-litre HDI unit. Like most Peugeots, the 807 is good to drive, with all the engines having a claim on your attention. The gearchange isn’t the last word in sweet shifting slickness, but an automatic is available if this feature grates and the HDi models now come with a 6-speed manual box as standard.

"The 807 is stuffed to its very gunwales with safety equipment."

As suggested, three trim levels are available, starting with S, rising through SE and topping out at Executive. Even the entry-level model gets a CD stereo, digital air conditioning, a dash-mounted multifunction display screen and remote central locking, but the real party piece comes when you step up to the plusher models. These feature electrically operated sliding side doors which can be triggered via the key fob. If only they were a little quicker or the key fob had more range, the effect would be better but it’s still pretty slick stuff. They also remove the embarrassment of children opening rear doors into parked cars in public car parks. The 807 is stuffed to its very gunwales with safety equipment which has resulted in a creditable five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. As well as the customary twin front airbags, the 807 gets side bags and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, making it the first car in the world to feature this facility as standard. Anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are fitted on every model. Recognising that driver distraction by children is a contributory factor in a growing proportion of accidents, Peugeot have fitted an ingenious retractable "child check" mirror. This allows the driver to keep a safe eye on the kids in the back or alternatively see what colour the little horrors would like the upholstery to be this week. Practicality is also a major plus. All three rows of seats are mounted on runners, which means that adjusting for optimal legroom is simplicity itself. There are the usual zillion and one different combinations as to how you can arrange the seats and the front seats even capable of swivelling to create what Peugeot call "a sitting room environment." Somewhat comically, they then append this with "when parked." The 807 excels at shoulder room but others offer more total legroom. As with any MPV, the rear seats are removable, but they are very heavy and even a minor error in aligning the feet with the runners to re-engage them will cause the seats to jam, requiring a hefty shoulder to free them again. As avant garde as it is, the 807 doesn’t offer up a solution to the eternal MPV gripe that with all the seats in place there isn’t space for luggage. Perhaps Peugeot should offer subsidised roof boxes with every purchase. Four-zone air conditioning helps combat the effect of no less than three sunroofs. Multiplex wiring allows for such electronic niceties as light sensitive headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers and speed indexing of the stereo volume, as well as rear parking sensors, guide-me-home headlights and remote control operation of the sunroofs, windows, door mirrors and the sliding doors. The Peugeot 807 has consigned memories of its underwhelming predecessor to history and offers an all-round blend of talents that are near the top of the tree in the MPV sector. Yes, you can buy a bigger MPV or a more powerful one, but little combines style, safety and innovation more convincingly as the 807. The days when the Ford Galaxy/Volkswagen Sharan/SEAT Alhambra trio bossed this division have well and truly come to an end. In the 807 it would seem Peugeot have their number.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Peugeot 807 range PRICES: £19,695-£26,895 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-12 CO2 EMISSIONS: 186-213g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.2 HDi] 0-60mph 11.7s / Max Speed 124mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.2 HDi] (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, mm 4727/1818/1752

POWER TO THE PEOPLE CARRIER
Peugeot’s big MPV is at its best with a suitably deep-chested diesel engine. Andy Enright reports

Buying an MPV people carrier isn’t as straightforward as it might first appear. After making sure that the vehicle can house your family and their gear in a safe and practical manner, any number of people then look for a dotted line to sign on without giving too much thought to the oily bits. Big error. Get the engine choice wrong and as soon as you load the vehicle up it’ll have less acceleration than a continental plate. That’s why if you’re shopping for a Peugeot 807, check the 2.2-litre HDi170 diesel engine first.

When the 807 was first introduced, it was a radically different car to its predecessor, the frumpy 806, as were the two other cars developed alongside it, Citroen’s C8 and the Fiat Ulysse. Since then however, the French company has gone the route of stealthy change, culminating in the most recent package of updates which have come without significant change to pricing. An underpowered MPV might come with an attractive upfront price but you’ll pay every day with heart-in-mouth moments pulling out onto roundabouts and mile upon mile stuck behind caravans because you don’t have the grunt to overtake them. Factor in the added running costs of an engine that you’re having to thrash to get any meaningful go from and it becomes clear that sending a little more to begin with was the wise course of action. The 807 HDi 170, as its name suggests, packs a 170bhp punch under the bonnet. When teamed with the manual gearbox, this means torque of 370Nm or 407Nm with the heavy duty six-speed ‘Porsche Tiptronic System’ automatic ‘box. Compare that with 203Nm of muscle served up by the 2.0-litre petrol model. No prizes for guessing which I’d opt for.

"…look past the superficial attractions, concentrate on what you really want an MPV for and this vehicle is a decent bet."

Like most Peugeots, the 807 is good to drive, with very crisp handling for such a sizeable bus. Find a back road and it’s more enjoyable to hustle than some allegedly sporty coupes I’ve driven recently. There’s masses of urge in the midrange although the sprint to 60mph figure of 10.6 seconds gives little indication as to how punchy this car feels. The gearchange isn’t the last word in sweet shifting slickness, but the automatic features a self-adaptive mode which adapts to the driver’s style or alternatively offers sequential control. Sheer practicality is a major selling point of the 807. All three rows of seats are mounted on runners, which means that adjusting for optimal legroom is simplicity itself. There are the usual zillion and one different combinations as to how you can arrange the seats, with the front seats even capable of swivelling to create what Peugeot call "a sitting room environment." Somewhat comically, they then append this with "when parked." The 807 excels at shoulder room but others offer more total legroom. As with any MPV, the rear seats are removable, but they are very heavy and even a minor error in aligning the feet with the runners to re-engage them will cause the seats to jam, requiring a hefty shoulder to free them again. As avant garde as it is, the 807 doesn’t offer up a solution to the eternal MPV gripe that with all the seats in place there isn’t space for luggage. Perhaps Peugeot should offer subsidised roof boxes with every purchase. There’s not a whole lot of choice in terms of available trim levels as the HDi170 engine is only available in range-topping Executive guise. As you might expect, this comes with a serious welter of standard kit. This includes the basics like a CD stereo, digital air conditioning, a dash-mounted multifunction display screen and remote central locking, but the real party pieces are the electrically operated sliding side doors which can be triggered via the key fob. Electrically operated front seats with dual memory function on the driver’s seat, electro chrome rear view mirror, automatic headlights and auto rain sensor, Alcantara suede / Diamond Zagros upholstery, leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors, dark tinted rear windows and driver under seat stowage compartment are standard, as is a Mistral Black leather inrterior. The 807 is stuffed to its very gunwales with safety equipment which has resulted in a creditable five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. As well as the customary twin front airbags, the 807 gets side bags and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, making it the first car in the world to feature this facility as standard. Anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are fitted on every model. Recognising that driver distraction by children is a contributory factor in a growing proportion of accidents, Peugeot have fitted an ingenious retractable "child check" mirror. This allows the driver to keep a safe eye on the kids in the back or alternatively see what colour the little horrors would like the upholstery to be this week. Whilst it’s true that any vehicle sizeable enough to haul a big family about is going to incur not inconsiderable ongoing running costs, the 807 boxes clever with a range of very efficient engines and the HDi 170 engine sticks to a tried and tested formula. Emissions are pegged at 191g/km which, as Peugeot likes to point out, is equivalent to just 24g/km per person when the car’s fully loaded. Even with four people on board, this 807 still emits less carbon dioxide per person than a smart fortwo. Expect to average around 37mpg. Insurance is rated at Group 13, so there are no nasty shocks there and servicing is very inexpensive for a vehicle of this class with intervals every 12,000 miles. Residual values aren’t so hot with a retained figure of around 35 per cent after three years, so budget this into your calculations when the time comes to trade in. It would be fairly easy to come up with a long list of MPVs that have a more overt claim on your attentions than the Peugeot 807 HDi 170 but look past the superficial attractions, concentrate on what you really want an MPV for and this vehicle is a decent bet. It drives surprisingly well, the diesel engine giving it some real poke, it’s got a full five-star EuroNCAP safety score, it’s versatile and durable and doesn’t want for space. Apart from the so-so residual values, it’s also cost effective to run and even this can be assuaged by negotiating a discount on the list price, with savings of up to £5,000 being reported in some quarters. If style and panache are key buying criteria, the 807 will disappoint but these vehicles should be about practicality and if you’re the pragmatic type, you won’t find too much cause for complaint here.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Peugeot 807 2.2 HDi 170 PRICES: £26,895 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 13 CO2 EMISSIONS: 191g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.6s / Max Speed 127mph [est] FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 37mpg [est] STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, mm 4727/1818/1752