Peugeot 307 Station Wagon 1.6 16V (109 Hp) Automatic

The Peugeot 307 Station Wagon 1.6 16V (109 Hp) Automatic: A European Family Workhorse

The Peugeot 307, a compact family car produced by the French automaker Peugeot, made its debut in 2001 as the successor to the highly successful Peugeot 306. The vehicle quickly gained recognition, earning the prestigious European Car of the Year award in 2002. This article focuses on a specific variant from its first generation: the Peugeot 307 Station Wagon 1.6 16V (109 Hp) Automatic, produced between 2002 and 2005. Designed primarily for the European market, where station wagons, also known as estates, hold significant appeal for their blend of practicality, comfort, and manageable size, this model represented a core offering in the compact segment. It aimed to provide families with a versatile and efficient vehicle capable of handling diverse needs, from daily commutes to longer road trips, all while adhering to the design and engineering philosophies characteristic of Peugeot during this era. Its role was crucial in solidifying Peugeot’s presence in a highly competitive segment, offering a compelling alternative to rivals with its distinctive styling and practical attributes.

Engine and Performance of the Peugeot 307 Station Wagon 1.6 16V (109 Hp) Automatic

Under the hood, the Peugeot 307 Station Wagon 1.6 16V (109 Hp) Automatic was equipped with Peugeot’s well-regarded 1.6-liter (1587 cm³) “TU5JP4” inline-four engine. This naturally aspirated, 16-valve unit featured a Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain and multi-port manifold injection, a common and reliable configuration for its time. It delivered a respectable 109 horsepower at 5800 revolutions per minute (rpm), providing adequate power for a vehicle of its class and intended use. Torque output stood at 108.42 lb-ft (147 Nm) at 4000 rpm, ensuring reasonable pulling power, particularly useful for a station wagon often laden with passengers and cargo.

Power was sent to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. While modern automatics boast more gears, this 4-speed unit was typical for compact cars in the early 2000s, prioritizing smooth shifts and ease of driving over outright performance or hyper-efficiency. In terms of acceleration, the Peugeot 307 Station Wagon 1.6 16V (109 Hp) Automatic could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a measured 13.1 seconds, with a top speed of 111.85 mph (180 km/h). These figures underscored its positioning as a practical family vehicle rather than a performance-oriented machine.

Fuel economy was a significant consideration for European buyers, and the 307 delivered competitive numbers for its segment and era. The combined fuel consumption was rated at 28.3 US mpg (8.3 l/100 km), with urban driving yielding approximately 21 US mpg (11.2 l/100 km) and extra-urban figures reaching 36.8 US mpg (6.4 l/100 km). With a 15.85 US gallon (60-liter) fuel tank, it offered a decent cruising range. The engine met the Euro 3 emission standard, indicating its compliance with the environmental regulations prevalent during its production years, with CO2 emissions of 194 g/km.

Design and Features

The Peugeot 307 Station Wagon adopted a practical and aesthetically pleasing design, characterized by its elongated roofline and generous rear cargo area. Its body type, a traditional 5-door station wagon (estate), was designed to maximize interior space and versatility. The exterior dimensions measured 173.98 inches (4419 mm) in length, 69.17 inches (1757 mm) in width, and a height ranging from 60.39 to 60.79 inches (1534-1544 mm), providing a substantial footprint for a compact car. A long wheelbase of 106.61 inches (2708 mm) contributed significantly to interior roominess and ride comfort.

Inside, the 307 Station Wagon offered seating for five occupants across two rows. The key highlight was its cargo capacity: a minimum trunk space of 12.01 cubic feet (340 liters) with all seats in place, expanding to an impressive 54.38 cubic feet (1540 liters) when the rear seats were folded down. This flexibility was a major selling point for families requiring ample space for luggage, groceries, or sports equipment. The vehicle’s architecture, featuring a higher roofline than its hatchback counterpart, contributed to a more airy cabin feel and improved headroom for all passengers.

The chassis and suspension setup were engineered for comfort and stable handling. The front suspension utilized a MacPherson-style spring strut system, while the rear featured a torsion beam, a cost-effective and space-efficient solution common in front-wheel-drive compacts. Braking was handled by ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear, complemented by an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as a standard safety feature for enhanced control during emergency stops. The hydraulic power steering system, a rack and pinion setup, offered a responsive and assisted steering feel, making urban maneuvering and highway cruising comfortable. The car rode on 195/65 R15 tires mounted on 15-inch wheel rims, providing a good balance of ride comfort and grip.

Technical Specifications

Legacy and Market Impact

The Peugeot 307 Station Wagon, particularly the 1.6 16V Automatic variant, played a significant role in Peugeot’s strategy for the European compact car market during the early 2000s. It successfully built upon the reputation of its predecessor, the 306, by offering increased interior space, improved safety features, and a more modern design language. In Europe, where station wagons remained a popular choice for families, the 307 Wagon faced stiff competition from established rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf Variant, Ford Focus Wagon, Opel Astra Caravan, and Renault Mégane Estate.

Its strengths lay in its practicality, comfortable ride quality, and a general sense of robustness. The higher roofline, a defining characteristic of the 307 generation, gave it a semi-MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) feel, enhancing cabin airiness and ease of entry/exit, which was particularly appealing to families. The generous cargo volume, expandable by folding the rear seats, made it a highly versatile option for those needing to transport bulky items or luggage for extended trips.

While not a performance car, the 1.6-liter engine combined with the automatic transmission offered a smooth and undemanding driving experience, ideal for urban environments and relaxed highway cruising. Its fuel efficiency, for the time, was competitive, contributing to lower running costs which were important for its target demographic. The inclusion of ABS as a standard safety feature underscored Peugeot’s commitment to passenger safety, a growing concern for car buyers in the new millennium.

The Peugeot 307 Station Wagon 1.6 16V (109 Hp) Automatic, though not sold in the American market, represented a quintessential European family car. It embodied the French automaker’s philosophy of blending distinctive design with practical functionality and comfortable ergonomics. Its legacy is that of a reliable and versatile family vehicle that contributed to Peugeot’s continued success in the highly competitive compact segment, setting the stage for future generations of Peugeot’s 3-series models. It remains a testament to a period when European manufacturers excelled in creating practical, well-engineered cars tailored to the specific needs and preferences of their home continent.