USED Peugeot 407 SW (04 - 11)

My car

The Peugeot 407 SW HDi 110 is a comfortable car to drive, having all the equipment you could wish for including traction and stabiliy control along with dual zone air con as standard.

I drive approx 30,000 business miles a year and the car so far has not missed a beat and returns excellent fuel economy for a large car.

At motorway speeds the car is a comfortable cruiser and carrys the family of four plus all our camping equipment with easy.

Handling and road holding is generally very good, but not as sharp as a Ford Mondeo I previously owned.

Overall I have been very pleased with the car, I love the styling of the SW and it still gets many admiring looks, even though they are now becoming more common.

My car

I had a Peugeot 407 SW HDi 136 SE automatic. It was terrible.

Having sold this car after owning it for three months, I was most disappointed by its fuel economy.

To put things in comparison, my wife drives a Merc C220 CDI automatic, which has a more powerful diesel engine but averaged significantly better fuel efficiency.

When you do the sort of mileage I do, that worked out to an extra grand a year on fuel.

I have since traded the car for a Golf and must say the quality and finish of the Volkswagen is streets ahead of what Peugeot have to offer.

Don't be bribed by the toys or the looks.

By the way, if you are a Peugeot devotee who thinks I'm bitter, just make very certain that what the dealers put down in the car's description matches reality.

I don't think I'll ever buy a French car again!

My car

This is an improvement on the 406. That said, both are smooth and comfortable, particulary on long journeys - even when fully laden.

The 407 coped well in all conditions. I drove it for 300 miles, through rain, wind, on motorways, through winding roads - including long climbs through Lynton and Lynmouth (one-in-four hills). The low-down steady pull of the diesel was great.

The cabin was spacious and light. There were possibly too many buttons in the centre console but I suppose we should expect that, given all the mod cons available in today's cars.

The handling generally was good: it didn't feel like an estate, whereas the 406 did.

I've recently driven the X-type Jaguar estate and also the Volvo V50 (both diesel), and I think the 407 is as comfortable as the Jag but with more kit for less money. The V50 was good fun, sporty and handled like my VW Golf, but sadly it has little luggage space.

In summary, the 407 SW is comfortable with plenty of kit, it handles fairly well, is economical and has a lot of usable luggage space.

My car

I have the auto version, which needs an extra (fifth) gear. It is a pleasant experience to drive this car, and the styling defintely gets looks.

I'm concerned about overall fuel economy, which appears to be below what one might expect, but it's early days yet.

It's worth a look.