Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 73%

It used to make salt, pepper and bicycles – but today it is the second biggest car maker in Europe.

Peugeot has come a long way in its 100 year history, and has now entered the big off-roader market for the very first time with this: the four-wheel-drive Peugeot 4007.

Peugeot has teamed up with Mitsubishi and Citroen to produce essentially the same four-wheel-drive SUV – Vijay Pattni took the first road-going Peugeot 4x4 to see what’s what…

View our Peugeot 4007 slide show

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

It’s got a Lion on the front and looks like a gaping-mouthed predator – the Peugeot 4007 is no shrinking violet. It is a full-size seven-seat SUV and offers up real bulk.

We tested the SE version with optional 20-inch alloy wheels and Irmscher Sports Pack, which lent the 4007 a suitably ‘bling’ finish.

It is generously proportioned and has a massive presence on the road – but can you live with those looks? We think the Citroen C Crosser and Mitsubishi Outlander are better lookers, but the 4007 is striking.

7/10

2. Looks inside

The 4007 shares its platform and cabin with its two stablemates – the Citroen C-Crosser and the Mitsubishi Outlander. Acres of black trim create a comfortable environment, and although the plastics aren’t the most pleasing to touch, a good sense of quality resonates throughout.

The controls – and driving position – are nicely laid out and the central screen is easy to navigate through.

6/10

3. Practicality

Make no mistake – the 4007 is huge inside. The big Pug is a “5+2” seater, meaning five can sit in utter comfort, while a third row offering two extra seats can be put into place if required.

With the seats up the third row is tight for adults, but with them folded down, boot space rises to 510 litres. There are 20 storage areas littered around the car, although access to the boot is a little high.

9/10

4. Ride and Handling

SUV’s aren’t sportscars, that much is for sure. But don’t expect the 4007 to wallow through the corners – the ride is surprisingly good considering its size.

The 4007 comes with a selector next to the gearlever allowing the driver to select two or four-wheel-drive.

In two-wheel-drive, an “enthusiastic” driving style results in wheelspin and understeer through the corners, but body-roll is controlled and the SUV never feels unruly. Switch to four-wheel-drive and the grip levels are good, with a positive amount of feedback from the steering wheel and a nice cornering stance. The steering wheel initially feels light, but it firms up leaving you with a good amount of heft.

Overall the ride is smooth and tidy. Even over Britain’s bumpy backroads, the 4007 behaved itself without causing too much fuss.

7/10

5. Performance

You are very aware of the 4007’s near two-tonne heft, and so the performance from its 2.2-litre HDi diesel unit is quite startling.

It produces 156bhp and accelerates from 0-62mph in just 9.9 seconds – which is rapid for a mid-sized SUV.

Through the gears the diesel engine pulls well and overtaking is a breeze, but it does make its presence felt when dialling up the speed. Driving through town the diesel engine has a good level of refinement and is a competent performer.

7/10

6. Running Costs

Despite its near two-tonne bulk, the 4007 boasts a combined fuel economy figure of 39.2mpg from its 2.2-litre diesel. Peugeot estimate an annual fuel cost (for 12,000 miles) of around £1,500. Road tax will set you back £210 a year, with the Pug falling into tax band F.

7/10

7. Reliability

The 4007 shares its mechanicals with the Citroen C Crosser and the Mitsubishi Outlander and is therefore a safe bet. The build quality is satisfying – although the doors clanged shut like a commercial van. Otherwise everything seemed well screwed together and solid.

8/10

8. Safety

The 4007 is equipped with curtain airbags for the first two rows of seats, front side airbags and driver and passenger front airbags. The similarly-specced Mitsubishi Outlander was awarded four stars in the EuroNCAP crash tests, but the 4007 remains untested as yet.

Peugeot has also fitted the 4007 with stability control and ABS as standard, while a clever braking system allows the force to be spread out through all four wheels under heavy braking – which means more control in hairy situations.

7/10

9. Equipment

Our test SE-spec model came with automatic air-con, trip computer, CD player with MP3 playback, leather and a central screen for navigation and communication controls. Upgrade to the GT spec and you get Xenon headlights, a CD autochanger and 18-inch alloy wheels over the standard fit 16-inch wheels.

7/10

10. X-Factor

Size really does matter with the Pug – if you’re in the market for a budget, competent, well-equipped SUV, the 4007 is a good choice. It shares its base with the Citroen C Crosser and Mitsubishi Outlander, so it’s entirely a question of whether you like its bold looks.

8/10

View our Peugeot 4007 slide show