- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
100kW, 320Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 5.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
4/5 star (2001)
2006 Peugeot 307 XSE HDi hatch review
Peugeot's range-topping 307 gets a gearbox that adds to its diesel engine's versatility.
Pug gears up
The rise of diesel passenger cars in Australia is well documented, but for a real eye-opener take a look at Peugeot. This year its diesel-powered HDi models have taken more than a third of total sales. Last year that figure was about one in five. In 2004 it was one in 10.
Look at the company's 307 small car and the diesel march is even more convincing. A tad less than half of all 307 sales this year have gone to HDi models, despite the absence of an automatic gearbox.
Now, however, an automatic is available. First seen in its 407 big brother, the six-speed 'box can be optioned only on the top-line XSE hatch and wagon (or Touring in Pug-speak) models. Lower-level XS HDi models, which are powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four rather than the XSE's 2.0-litre, stay with a five-speed manual.
We tested the hatch and it's excellent value at $34,790. Dual-zone climate control, cruise, trip computer, leather-shod wheel, auto lights, rain-sensing wipers and CD sound system with steering-wheel controls are all part of the generous standard kit. Safety is well represented by six airbags, stability/traction control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist.
The technology in the XSE HDi's 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four engine is quite advanced. Boasting common-rail injection, piezo injectors, a variable-geometry turbocharger that can boost at both low and high-engine speeds and a particulate filter to clean up emissions, it develops 100 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque, with 340 Nm available in the four higher gears for short periods via an overboost function.
Hooked up to the six-speed auto, it translates into effortlessly strong performance. Put the foot down and the Pug surges forward, yet it's very relaxed on the highway, turning over at less than 2000 rpm at 100 km/h. Some diesel chatter is evident when pushed, but refinement is pretty good.
In between these two extremes you'll find oodles of flexibility, with the six-speeder doing a good job of keeping the HDi engine right in its power curve. Shift quality isn't amazing, but it is miles ahead of the somewhat crude four-speeder fitted to petrol-engined 307s.
Around town, the HDi is only a tad more efficient than its petrol peers. But on the open road it's thrifty, using 5-6 L/100 km. Our average of 6.9 L/100 km was commendably close to Peugeot's 6.7 L/100 km combined urban/highway claim, though it must be said we've achieved better in rivals.
The rest of the package stays true to last year's mid-life update. Ride quality seems a notch above the rather terse original, though it's still no better than average, while handling is on the ball. The 307 feels a touch bulky at first but push on and you'll find it pretty much goes exactly, and with poise, where you steer it.
The cabin is not a leader for back-seat space or quality, but with ample seating, good front-seat space, adjustable steering and a pleasant ambience there are far worse small cars.
The HDi six-speed auto's effortless performance and frugality arguably make it the pick of the 307 range, especially for those who want to tour. While the usual 307 niggles stop it from being the gun diesel small car, the experience adds up to more than the sum of its parts.