Ten Point Test

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 70%

Peugeot says its latest city car is for the young, cool urbanite around town. And if you put electrically-operated sliding doors at the top of your list, you could well have found the answer.

But is the Peugeot 1007 – that’s one thousand and seven to avoid upsetting James Bond aficionados – a one trick pony, or is there substance behind those fancy doors?

1. Looks 6/10

Lets be honest, the 1007 is all about those doors – the handles sit at the front, rather than the more conventional rear location – and the rear quarters are dominated by a huge silver runner. The front end has received the same treatment as the rest of the Peugeot range, with a gaping grille in the bumper and rugby ball-shaped headlights, but its easy to overlook this as your eyes are drawn to the height of the car, especially with a pair of enormous roof rails. From the side it looks positively van-like, while the back has a rear screen which wraps around to the sides. Our Sport model also features 16 inch alloys.

2. Looks inside 7/10

Again, the interior is standard Peugeot fare, which means its well laid out, although the screen which provides audio and trip information, and satnav if fitted is too far away and tricky to read in bright sunlight. As our model features the Sport moniker, the cabin is scattered with aluminium bits, like the pedals and gearknob, which stays very cold first thing in the morning – and is likely to burn the driver’s hand in the summer. The 1007 has Peugeot’s ‘Chameleon’ interior, meaning eighteen parts of the interior can be swapped for ones of a different colour in minutes.

Our test model also has a full-length glass roof, and the front half retracts at the twist of a dial. With the perforated covers rolled back, the 1007 feels particularly light, spacious and airy.

3. Practicality 8/10

Despite Peugeot’s claims the 1007 is for young people, the chances are it will be bought by drivers who find it difficult to climb into a conventionally doored car. With the doors open, it’s easy to step inside, especially in confined spaces. Both doors can be opened and closed either by using the buttons on the key, switches on the dashboard or via conventional handles. Should you choose the later, its worth showing your passengers first as the temptation to push them all the way back is natural, although it’s likely to place strain on the (expensive) door mechanics.

The rear seats slide back and forth, and the boot space increases from 178 to 364 litres, and with the rear seats removed, and the front passenger seat folded, it’s big enough for most load-lugging requirements. With the seats slid back, there’s plenty of legroom, and a cubbyhole in the rear footwells provide some useful storage.

One potential cause for concern is the location of the fuel filler cap as the passenger is unable to open the door while filling the 1007 with fuel as it will slide into the nozzle.

4. Ride and Handling 6/10

It’s a narrow and tall car, and feels like it. On a windy day, the 1007 can be seriously affected by strong crosswinds, and enthusiastic cornering makes it feel like it’s about to topple over. The reality, of course, is different, but it doesn’t instil confidence. The ride is comfortable, although there is quite a bit of road, engine and wind noise at speed.

5. Performance 5/10

Tipping the scales at 1,243kg, the 1007 is a very heavy car. Each door – and its ancillary components weighs 100kg each, which is like carrying a passenger on each side. This considerable girth was too much for our 70bhp 1.4-litre diesel engine, making pulling onto motorways a task for the brave. With more than one passenger, it can be very hard work indeed. Around town this was less of an issue, although it lacked the nippy edge which is so useful in congested urban areas. At 0-62mph time of 15.4 seconds and top speed of 99mph, the 1007 is slower than most of its competitors.

6. Running Costs 7/10

With a high purchase price and heavy depreciation, its worth seeking out a big discount on a new 1007; although it should represent a used car bargain. Our 1.4 diesel clocks almost 45mpg in a combination of sluggish rush hour traffic in London, and some fast A-road and motorway runs. I’ve no doubt by driving more gently and in more favourable conditions it could hit the high fifties. Insurance is an affordable group 3, while its emissions just squeeze it out of the low Band B and into the more expensive Band C.

7. Reliability 7/10

The 1007 is a new car, so there are few documented issues. It feels durable, although the doors could prove expensive and complicated to fix. The 1.4 HDi engine is a proven unit and suffers with few problems. Owners should have a trouble-free time with the 1007.

8. Safety 9/10

The 1007 has a full five star rating for occupant protection in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. It also scored three stars for child protection and two for pedestrian safety. It features seven airbags, including one on the steering column to protect the driver’s legs, skid-preventing stability control, ABS and traction control.

9. Equipment 8/10

With satellite navigation, climate control, alloy wheels, a MP3-ready CD player with auxiliary inputs for a portable DVD player or games console, the Sport model we drove had an impressive spec sheet – but at £12,295 it should have. The full-length glass roof with retractable panel is now a familiar Peugeot feature, and is well worth the £550 asking price.

10. X-Factor 7/10

It’ll come as no surprise it’s the doors which set the 1007 apart from its rivals. They’re perfect for those with impaired mobility – and attention seekers will love to show off the remotely-operated open and close feature. But this comes at a price – both financially and in terms of driving dynamics – and it would be a far better, if less interesting, car without them.

Key facts

Model tested: Peugeot 1007 1.4 HDi 70 Sport
On the road price: £12,295
Date tested: January 2007
Road tester: Stuart Milne