Peugeot 407 SW Review

Since its original UK launch in 2004, the Peugeot 407 has become a familiar site on British roads. The saloon was launched in June 2004, followed by the SW (Station Wagon) in the following September. Up until the end of 2006 over 50,000 407’s had been sold in the UK to a mixture of both fleet and private buyers.

Since we first tested a petrol 407 Saloon in late 2004 (407 SE 2.2) there have been a number of nips and tucks in order to keep the 407 at the forefront of the market.

In May 2006 the exterior of the 407 was enhanced with the fitment of a chrome-plated radiator grille, which created an elegant and stylish look. In September 2006 the 407 range was revised to present a new model line up consisting of S, SE, Sport and GT. The introduction of the new model range also saw the introduction of the 'aluminium' look centre console fitted across the range and white instrument dials fitted to the S model.

Some 3 years on from our first 407 review we have decided to put the 407 SW 2.2 HDi Sport - a diesel estate car with a 6 speed gearbox through its paces.

The Peugeot 407 SW has to accommodate a wide range of users, therefore there a wide range of engine choices, currently there are four petrol engines, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2 and 3.0 V6 and four diesel engines, 1.6 (110), 2.0 (136), 2.2 (170) and a 2.7 V6 - so there should be engine to suit all users. To complement the engine choices there is myriad of gearboxes to choose from but these are restricted to certain engines - 1.8, 2.0, 1.6 HDi - 5 speed manual, 2.0  - 4 speed automatic, 2.2, 2.0 HDi, 2.2 HDi - 6 speed manual and 3.0 V6 and 2.0 HDi - 6 speed automatic - a little confusing but quite accommodating.

We drove the Peugeot 407 SW 2.2 HDi with a 6 Speed Manual Gearbox. The 2.2 litre HDi DPFS (Diesel Particulate Filter System) engine is the fourth engine produced out of the co-operation between PSA Peugeot Citroen and the Ford Motor Company. It strengthens further the HDi diesel engine range developed jointly since the signing of the co-operation agreement in 1998. It has 4-cylinders and is fitted with a 16-valve cylinder head with twin overhead camshafts and has a capacity of 2179 cc.