From February 2008 issue

List price when tested: £23,777
Kerbweight: 1818kg
85% match: 1545kg
Max towing weight: 1850kg
Towball limit: 76kg

BIG MPVS like the Peugeot 807 lead a hard life. The demands of family motoring are tough enough, but add towing into the equation and large people carriers have their work cut out.

For the most part the 807 copes well. We hitched the Peugeot to an Abbey Expression 550 with a MTPLM of 1500kg. On the motorway we found the 807 to be a stable tug, with only a few slight steering corrections needed to hold a straight course.

Caravan in control 

In the lane-change test the 807 was less happy. At low speeds it felt responsive and quick to change direction, but on faster runs the caravan began to push the back of the car around.

The Peugeot’s engine is also better suited to a steady pace. It pulled the Abbey from 30-60mph in a leisurely 16.1 seconds. Load up with passengers and luggage and overtaking will need a long, straight road and a heavy right foot.

They might not get anywhere in a hurry, but passengers should be impressed with the cabin. There’s good head and legroom in the middle row, although seats six and seven are rather snug. Sliding, folding and tipping the seats to mix-and-match passenger space and luggage room is easy, and there’s plenty of storage space for family clutter. Sliding rear doors are another nice touch, making it easier to get in and out if the car has been squeezed into a tight parking space.

For such a big, heavy car, fuel economy is acceptable (39.7mpg), although the Peugeot loses value quickly from the moment it leaves the showroom.

We say
Towing: 3/5
Solo: 3/5
Practicality: 3/5
Buying & owning: 3/5

Verdict: 3/5. A solid towcar and a practical MPV. Fuel economy is good for such a heavy car.

Braking 30-0mph: 10.5m

Find out more about this car at www.whatcar.com