ROAD TEST/Peugeot 307 SW: Gone forever are the days when cars were saloons, estates or hatchbacks. The arrival of the Multi-Purpose Vehicle changed the rules utterly. Peugeot's new 307 SW is, however, a well-disguised MPV, and as Andrew Hamilton discovered, a good-sized machine of comfort, style and is also, in its diesel form, exceptionally frugal
It used to be so simple. Cars were either saloon or hatchback or estate. The arrival of the family MPV like the Renault Scenic muddied the waters a bit and clearly its huge acceptance convinced manufacturers there was a lot of merit in doing things differently.
Peugeot's 307 SW is in a different league again, or so Peugeot is trying to tell us. Essentially, the message is a vehicle with style and appearance that combines all the benefits of estate car space and MPV flexibility with dynamic performance and fine driving characteristics. Put another way, it's a MPV without actually looking like one.
We were driving the 307 SW in its top format, the Executive 2.0 HDi with 110 bhp. It has an Irish ex-works price of €26,995. The entry-level 1.6 litre petrol with the GTX specification is €22,500 ex-works.
All models come with ABS and Brake Assist, six airbags, an in-dash CD player, remote audio controls, air conditioning, front electric windows and driver seat height adjustment. The Executive tag means additionally climate control, rear electric windows, alloy wheels and a front seat centre armrest.
It's a well-appointed package for whatever model the customer chooses. He or she also has the option of going for five or seven seats. The two extra seats, constituting the third row, are each €429 and they can be bought individually from a dealer any time there's the urge to expand the accommodation.
Performance isn't the priority it might be in other models with a different role in life. The 307 SW is very much about the efficient transportation of people and their packages. Still, we found the 1,997 cc four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel did a very competent job.
There's little clatter after start-up. Once on the open road, it's very easy to forget from which pump the tank was filled. We found a good spread of torque to cover the wide gear ratios. An output of 110 bhp may seem modest but somehow it suits the 307 SW's easy temperament. That's good for a top speed of 110 mph and a 0 to 60 mph time of 13.7 seconds.
Let's go back to what the 307 SW is all about, space. Until now, among the popular family MPVs , only the Opel Zafira managed a quart in a pint pot, putting in seven seats. But our experience was that these rearmost seats were only suitable for toddlers or smaller children. The new Peugeot doesn't change matters. Unless you actually needs the two extra chairs, the 307 SW is better in its original manifestation as a roomy five-seater with a generous boot.
The middle row's two outer seats have greater width for adult posteriors, but the centre chair can still manage an adult in comfort. What limits the 307 here, though, is the cabin width, and during our test, we had three adults cheerfully rubbing shoulders at close quarters. However, there is plenty of room for knees and heads and the cabin feels airy, thanks to the panoramic full-width glass roof.
The centre seat can be folded to make a picnic tray, which has cut-outs to hold cups and pens - perfect for children on long trips. There are also fold-up trays in the front seat backs, reminiscent of aircraft travel. The seats, by the way, can be folded down, slid fore and aft or removed altogether.
The 307 feels very assured on the road and the precise steering comes with plenty of feel. It rides well too and effective damping smothers road irregularities. We liked the long-throw gearchange which made for slick movements. The pedals could take a bit of getting used to - throttle response is far from instant and the clutch has a long travel.
We could get very used to the 307 SW's frugality. Driving it with three hefty adults and three heavy suitcases, we returned 46 mpg overall. That's the reward offered by diesels today.
The tank will take 60 litres or over 13 gallons and, with luck, those doing a long holiday run should manage over 500 miles between pump stops. Official mpg figures are 39.2 urban; 64.2 extra urban and 52.3 combined.
Service intervals are also well spaced with the 307 SW at 12,000 miles. The dash is identical to the 307 hatchback which means everything is logically laid out. Compared with more full-blown MPVs like the Scenic and Citroën Picasso, the driving position is not so lofty. With height and reach adjustable steering, a driver shouldn't have difficulty getting the right seating permutation.
WE noted a plethora of thoughtful touches. The glovebox is air conditioned: useful for keeping the drinks chilled. Storage areas are strewn about the car with drawers under the front seats that can secrete away the family jewels. Luggage nets are located at the back and sides of the boot.
The 307 SW is very much an integral part of the hatchback car's line-up, a car which is a huge success commercially and of course, is the current European Car of the Year. The SW - that stands for Sky Wagon - is also finding strong appeal as a derivative. Peugeot says it expects annual SW sales of 115,000 annually.
This French family holdall that blurs the boundaries between family estate and MPV, should command attention here at home. The 307 SW has a lot going for it, a roomy and airy cabin, flexible seating, smart build quality and for those who like diesel, exceptional frugality.