Peugeot - 307

2001 onwards 

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The popular, talented and stylish 307 range offers lots of choice: family hatchback, hot hatch, roomy estate, practical midi-MPV and chic coupe-convertible. It earns points for safety, refinement and equipment.

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	Not far behind Golf for image and quality
	Refined with a smooth ride
	Reliable, safe and well equipped
	Neither as lively or nimble as 306
	Steeply sloping nose makes parking tricky
	1.4 petrol and TD are leisurely performers

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The British-built 307 hatchback is quite tall but headroom isn't actually that generous (taller adults feel squashed in the CC with the roof up), though there's plenty of legroom. The estate and SW (compact MPV) have lots of load space; the SW offers the option of third row child seats.
307 is quite heavy, so it needs to be driven hard for maximum performance. The 75 bhp 1.4i is merely adequate, while the 1.6i is efficient but hardly lively. Best all-rounder is the 110 bhp 2.0 HDi; it's quicker than the petrol 1.6i, very refined, and should give 50+ mpg even in the larger, heavier SW.
Handling is assured but less sporty than Focus. Hatchbacks ride smoothly; the estate and SW feel even more supple thanks to their longer wheelbase.
Safety features are above average and equipment levels are generous; only the cheapest Style and some LX versions lack air con.