Skip advert
Advertisement

Peugeot 1007

On paper Peugeot's 1007 sounds gimmicky, will it prove us wrong? Find out in the first report on our new fleet member

Pros
  • Ease of parking, styling, intuitive sat-nav system, superb stereo, roomy cabin, sliding rear seats, long-distance comfort
Cons
  • Jerky gearbox, sluggish performance, slow door operation and warning beeps, unusual image
Find your Peugeot 1007
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Before getting the keys to our new long-term Peugeot 1007, I had read several reports about it - and wasn't sure what to expect. Firstly, I thought the sliding doors could be useful, but one or two reviews suggested their extra weight would make the car sluggish... not so good.

Advertisement - Article continues below

I also found out that the Peugeot was equipped with the 2-Tronic automated gearbox - and having driven Smarts with a similar system, I was concerned the shifts would be jerky. The 1007's interchangeable seat covers, which can simply be zipped off, also seemed rather pointless. So before I'd even sat in the car, I had decided it would be a bit gimmicky. Would this prove to be the case?

Well, when it comes to the doors, the answer has to be yes. There's an annoying warning beep as they open and close, plus the mechanism moves very slowly - having realised I'd left my phone in the car when I'd just locked up, it felt as though I had a lengthy wait before I could get back in.

Still, the doors really come into their own if you're getting into the car with a day's worth of shopping bags. And the fact that you can open them without worrying about passing traffic is great if you're parked on a busy city street. What's more, my initial impressions of the gearbox were favourable. It's fairly smooth, the steering wheel paddles are fun to use and after a while they feel quite natural. On trips around town, I tend to leave the box in 'auto' for ease of use - but this has highlighted a flaw in the system.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

IS

2018 Lexus

IS

46,000 milesAutomaticPetrol2.5L

Cash £15,500
View IS
5008

2020 Peugeot

5008

59,271 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £16,800
View 5008
2008

2019 Peugeot

2008

34,033 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £9,400
View 2008
Astra

2018 Vauxhall

Astra

50,104 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £7,500
View Astra

If it's quick gearchanges you want, this mode is best avoided. Yet manual mode isn't much better, as there's a delay in downshifts, so progress is jerky at junctions and roundabouts. What's more, when selecting reverse, there's a three-second wait before you get any movement - fast three-point turns are impossible.

In fact, with its leisurely sliding doors, sluggish performance and slow-motion gearshifts, the 1007 takes its time about most things. But my opinion of the car changed when I took it on its first long journey: a trip to York to visit my sister.

Away from the urban slog, the jerky box wasn't such an issue. Motorway performance was adequate and the Peugeot felt stable considering its size. It was comfortable, too, while the stereo is great and the sat-nav is one of the best I've used, pointing out petrol stations and restaurants along the way.

The doors certainly proved popular with my sister's kids, while the sliding rear seats, which let you increase the boot capacity, would also be a hit with families. And I love the styling inside and out, plus the fact that it's so easy to park. So despite the small matter of the doors and gearbox, this little car has made a big first impression.

Second opinionThe Peugeot feels pretty solid and well appointed for such a small car, but I didn't really enjoy driving it. I have never been a fan of this style of gearbox ever since I first experienced one on early Smart ForTwos - and it appears the technology hasn't come on very far since then. The 1007's jerky, delayed shifts and ill-chosen ratios just made for slow progress and frustrating manoeuvring. Sarah Bradley, deputy prod. editor

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,600
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,831 off RRP*Used from £15,519
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025