2007 Peugeot 307 review
23 Jan, 2008
16 Comments 
Having said all of that, a six-speed automatic in a small diesel car may seem luxurious, but it’s necessary. And about time too. The French are only catching up with what the Germans established as the yardstick a long time ago.
The motor itself is slightly noisier in the 307 than in the 407 ST HDi at idle, however at speed it melts into the background hum of wind and roadnoise. Whilst cruising, the diesel dak-dak is barely evident, intruding ever so slightly under load. General NVH is quite good, excepting a small shudder accelerating away from rest in first and second gears, which could have been just the press car.
Two litres, 100kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm at 2000rpm effectively give the 307 XSE HDi a useable 2000rpm for acceleration, plus a further 20Nm from 1750 to 3200rpm under full throttle, with the so-called overboost function. And so it proved, with excellent flexibility and of course economy.
Combined cycle is rated at 6.7L/100km and on test around the suburbs it was two litres higher than that, which is to be expected. In the last year, sales of the 307 range in Australia have risen by 25 per cent, and in 2007, the diesel model accounted for half, highlighting the Australian public’s growing acceptance of oil-burners. Like other European built diesels, the cleanliness of the exhaust emissions and economy are just a couple of factors in the trend to buy cars, which almost literally, run on the smell of an oily rag.
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January 23rd, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Is this a used car test? I thought the 308 had replaced the 307.
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
End of Feb for 308 apparently.
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
No used car tests here at Car Advice. This is a last hurrah before it’s replaced.
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I drove a 307 2.0Hdi wagon with the six speed auto several months back. A mate had one on loan from the dealer. Huge fun and devastatingly practical, I thought. The biggest icky thing was the lack of a footrest.
By overseas accounts, the 308 has restored Peugeot’s almost vanished reputation for ride and handling composure. It was at its most famous in the 504 and 505 years. I had a 504 in my youth and can vouch for their ability to stroll over speed bumps like nothing happened.
My Golf must be on its best behaviour now.
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Thanks Jbot. Saw a 308 on display at the airport last week (in NZ) so thought it must have been released already.
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Hey Golfschwein……..didn’t know you were a pug lover…..I grow up in them..{and Fiats shhhh}
I know where your coming from with the foot rest thingy though! You are 6.2 though aren’t you? Big FEET???? I guess Ill see Friday?????
I love the coupés in them……..Im a 2 door girl though!
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Oh yes! Mine was a, ahem, rarer 504Ti that had the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection for a rip-snorting 110 bhp against the standard 504’s 98 bhp.
It was buttercup yellow with Renault Australia’s stupid Renault 16 buckets that gave me terrible back ache, the only car ever to do so. On a Fiat car club navigation run in 1984 in Perth’s hills, I got it to oversteer and crash into shrubbery on a totally straight gravel road. My mate who was in the passenger seat has dined out on the story ever since.
I still loved it, though. WHEELS ran an absolutely identical car up against the Volvo 144 of the day in its June 1973 edition. I’ll show you Friday! :)
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Sounds good!
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Unlike Karl, I like the front end styling. It’s the rear of the car which doesn’t do it for me.
Vote:January 24th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Nothing to do with the Peugeot but you know what FIAT stands for….Fix It Again Tony…Woo Hoo
Vote:January 24th, 2008 at 9:54 am
And LOTUS, No name? Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious :)
Vote:January 24th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Is there a petrol?
Vote:January 25th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Awww Duck why would you want a petrol. Pug are far better with Derv in the tank
Vote:January 26th, 2008 at 11:25 am
No Name,
Vote:Have you seen the price of diesel at the moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Yeh sure have but you go 30-40% further on diesel
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Anyone have a view on the 308 yet? I’m thinking of buying the 307 XSE HDi 2.0 auto (there’s some pretty good savings plus a 6 yr 160,000km extended warranty) but not sure if I should just wait for the 308.
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