POWER TO THE PEOPLE CARRIER

Peugeot's big MPV is at its best with a suitably deep-chested diesel engine. Andy Enright reports

Main Article

Sheer practicality is a major selling point of the 807. All three rows of seats are mounted on runners, which means that adjusting for optimal legroom is simplicity itself. There are the usual zillion and one different combinations as to how you can arrange the seats, with the front seats even capable of swivelling to create what Peugeot call "a sitting room environment." Somewhat comically, they then append this with "when parked." The 807 excels at shoulder room but others offer more total legroom.

As with any MPV, the rear seats are removable, but they are very heavy and even a minor error in aligning the feet with the runners to re-engage them will cause the seats to jam, requiring a hefty shoulder to free them again. As avant garde as it is, the 807 doesn't offer up a solution to the eternal MPV gripe that with all the seats in place there isn't space for luggage. Perhaps Peugeot should offer subsidised roof boxes with every purchase.

There's not a whole lot of choice in terms of available trim levels as the HDi170 engine is only available in range-topping Executive guise. As you might expect, this comes with a serious welter of standard kit. This includes the basics like a CD stereo, digital air conditioning, a dash-mounted multifunction display screen and remote central locking, but the real party pieces are the electrically operated sliding side doors which can be triggered via the key fob. Electrically operated front seats with dual memory function on the driver's seat, electro chrome rear view mirror, automatic headlights and auto rain sensor, Alcantara suede / Diamond Zagros upholstery, leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors, dark tinted rear windows and driver under seat stowage compartment are standard, as is a Mistral Black leather inrterior.

The 807 is stuffed to its very gunwales with safety equipment which has resulted in a creditable five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. As well as the customary twin front airbags, the 807 gets side bags and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, making it the first car in the world to feature this facility as standard. Anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are fitted on every model. Recognising that driver distraction by children is a contributory factor in a growing proportion of accidents, Peugeot have fitted an ingenious retractable "child check" mirror. This allows the driver to keep a safe eye on the kids in the back or alternatively see what colour the little horrors would like the upholstery to be this week.

Whilst it's true that any vehicle sizeable enough to haul a big family about is going to incur not inconsiderable ongoing running costs, the 807 boxes clever with a range of very efficient engines and the HDi 170 engine sticks to a tried and tested formula. Emissions are pegged at 191g/km which, as Peugeot likes to point out, is equivalent to just 24g/km per person when the car's fully loaded. Even with four people on board, this 807 still emits less carbon dioxide per person than a smart fortwo. Expect to average around 37mpg.

Insurance is rated at Group 13, so there are no nasty shocks there and servicing is very inexpensive for a vehicle of this class with intervals every 12,000 miles. Residual values aren't so hot with a retained figure of around 35 per cent after three years, so budget this into your calculations when the time comes to trade in.

It would be fairly easy to come up with a long list of MPVs that have a more overt claim on your attentions than the Peugeot 807 HDi 170 but look past the superficial attractions, concentrate on what you really want an MPV for and this vehicle is a decent bet. It drives surprisingly well, the diesel engine giving it some real poke, it's got a full five-star EuroNCAP safety score, it's versatile and durable and doesn't want for space.

Apart from the so-so residual values, it's also cost effective to run and even this can be assuaged by negotiating a discount on the list price, with savings of up to £5,000 being reported in some quarters. If style and panache are key buying criteria, the 807 will disappoint but these vehicles should be about practicality and if you're the pragmatic type, you won't find too much cause for complaint here.