Peugeot 407 Coupe 3.0 V6 HDi 240 CV aut., test drive (Part III)

We’ve reached the final part of the test of the Peugeot 407 Coupe, of which we have tried the most powerful engine available in the diesel range, namely the 3.0 V6 HDi with 240 CV and automatic gearbox. If you want to see how this coupe handles or the performance of its engine, you can check out the first part of the test, and in the second part we focused on its design and interior space.

Now, as is customary, it’s time to talk about the equipment of the 407 Coupe, as well as our overall assessment of the model and prices. The 407 Coupe, as it nears the end of its commercial life, comes with interesting discounts (around 7,500 euros), discounts that we have not factored into the prices, but which are worth mentioning, especially in case you are interested in adding one to your garage. We can get a 407 Coupe from 35,420 euros, the price of the 163 CV HDi engine very well equipped (and currently with a discount of 7,500 euros it would come down to 27,920 euros).

Equipment and safety

First, we start with the safety equipment that this 407 Coupe comes with as standard, where we can highlight the complete set of airbags (front airbags, front side airbags, knee airbag and roof airbags), as well as tyre pressure monitoring and ESP + ABS (with brake assist). As for the famous Euro NCAP stars, the 407 Coupe has 5 stars, and specifically in child protection it has achieved 4/5, with the frontal crash test earning the highest score. In short, it is very well served in terms of safety and is a car with outstanding safety.

Next, the base equipment, which includes dual-zone climate control, WIP-Nav navigation system with European maps and Bluetooth hands-free kit, xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensor and light and rain sensors for the wipers, among other elements.

Among the extras available we find: micro-perforated leather seats with electric adjustment (1,468.38 €), sunroof (833.13 €), RT5 navigation system with hard drive and USB port (1,614.18 €), alarm (468.63 €), 19″ wheels (624.84 €) and the recommended Luxury Pack with swivelling headlights, JBL HIFI sound system and front parking sensor (1,145.54 €).

Of all these extras, perhaps one of the most recommendable is the Luxury Pack as it includes swivelling headlights, the front sensor which becomes a real ally given the dimensions of the car (plus the screen shows the proximity to an obstacle, not just a beep, which makes it tremendously useful), and it also includes something that is not essential but is appreciated: the HIFI sound system signed by JBL, which is an absolute delight.

As for the RT5 navigation system offered as an option, it is quite dispensable, especially now that the RT4 comes as standard, since all we lose is the hard drive and the USB port, but we save quite a bit of money.

Otherwise, the operation of the equipment is very simple, once we get used to the salad of buttons, and it has the practical audio controls behind the steering wheel (personally, one of the audio control solutions I like most because of its position).

Overall Assessment

This Peugeot 407 Coupe must be viewed from two different perspectives. For those looking for a good, well-equipped all-round coupe it is a good candidate, since with the 163 CV HDi engine it is a very economical model in terms of consumption, and on the other hand, with the model’s end of sales approaching, we can get it at a good price. Moreover, its handling is impeccable and it still holds its own even after the years it has been on the market, and if we compare it with a Renault Laguna Coupe, for example.

On the other hand, if we are after a powerful vehicle with good handling and fully loaded with equipment, few candidates we will find with 240 CV, diesel, and 42,049 euros (with the equipment of our test unit and the 7,500 euro promotional discount included). It is therefore an excellent alternative to more expensive German coupes; the closest we have are models like the Renault Laguna Coupe which costs around 43,000 euros with the 235 CV dCi engine, but with a few fewer equipment items.

In short, it surprised me that, despite the years, the 407 Coupe has held its ground very well, especially now that we have driven a Laguna Coupe (more agile with the 4Control system) and have been able to compare impressions. That said, we are dealing with a coupe with a rather bourgeois vocation, powerful and sporty, but with shortcomings such as the gearbox, which weigh down a sportier character or the weight of the whole.

Price range

(according to information from the Peugeot website):

• Peugeot 407 Coupe 2.0 HDi 163 CV 27,920 euros *
• Peugeot 407 Coupe 3.0 V6 HDi 240 CV 36,520 euros*

* Note: These prices include a promotional discount of 7,500 euros, according to the configurator on the Peugeot Spain website. For more accurate prices, we recommend consulting a dealership, as prices may vary.

Price of tested unit: 42,049 euros (with the equipment of our test unit and the 7,500 euro promotional discount included), with the following equipment: micro-perforated leather seats with electric adjustment (1,468.38 €), sunroof (833.13 €), RT5 navigation system with hard drive and USB port (1,614.18 €), alarm (468.63 €), Luxury Pack with swivelling headlights, JBL HIFI sound system and front parking sensor (1,145.54 €).

Photos | David Taboada