Peugeot 4007 SUV (2007-2012)

It’s easy choosing a 4007, as there are only two trim levels and a single engine on offer. It’ll be harder deciding between the 4007 and the virtually identical Citroen C-Crosser and Mitsubishi Outlander; all three cars use the same basic body and chassis, yet they have slightly different characters. The 4007 is comparatively sporty next to the other two, and its 2.2-litre diesel engine is a strong performer. It’s fun to drive with better handling than many other 4x4s. The spacious cabin offers good flexibility - not least because of the two extra seats in the boot.

The diesel engine returns 40.4mpg (or 38.7mpg with an automatic gearbox) and costs £300 in annual Road Tax. That jumps to £425 with the auto gearbox. Service intervals of 12,500 miles are poor compared to rivals such as the VW Tiguan, which has intervals of 18,000 miles.

With accurate steering and a short-throw gearshift, Peugeot’s 4007 is fun to drive. It can’t rival a Land Rover off the beaten track, but it has four-wheel drive and a reasonable amount of off-road capability if you need it. There’s plenty of grip whether in the standard front-wheel drive or selectable four-wheel-drive modes. The single 2.2-litre diesel engine has 156bhp and plenty of pulling power, so the 4007 accelerates quickly in all gears.

The Peugeot 4007’s driving position is comfortable and offers a good view of the road ahead. The steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach, which we think is unacceptable for a car at this price level. The suspension is firm, vibrating over the worst road surfaces. That said, the 4007 feels smooth on the motorway, with very little engine noise. Top spec GT versions have bigger wheels, so they suffer a little more road rumble than smaller-wheeled SE cars, and the wind begins to whistle around the cabin at higher speeds. As a five-seater, it’s very spacious front and back, but the sixth and seventh seats in the boot are tiny and thinly padded.

The rearmost pair of the Peugeot 4007’s seats can be stowed in the boot floor when not in use. However, they are difficult to put up and down, and leave just 184 litres of boot space when in place. With the seats stowed the luggage area is vast, but it’s not the most practical in this class because it’s awkwardly shaped. The middle row of seats slides back and forth, and they fold flat in one easy action. The tailgate is split and the bottom half opens to create a useful loading shelf, while there are loads of large storage spaces in the cabin - including a split-level glovebox.

Peugeot’s reliability record isn’t flawless, but the 4007 was designed by Mitsubishi and is built in Japan, and it certainly feels well built. Safety features include six airbags and electronic stability control. The 4007 hasn’t undergone a Euro NCAP crash test, but the identical Outlander has a four-star rating, which is only average for such a big car.

Both versions of the 4007, SE and GT, are well equipped but expensive. The former features climate control, alloy wheels and cruise control, while the latter adds bigger wheels, xenon headlights, leather seats and parking sensors. A good discount should be negotiable, too.