PEUGEOT 307 5 Doors 2001-2005 Photos, engines & full specs

Peugeot introduced the 307 lineup in 2001 as a three and a five-door hatchback, followed in 2002 by the station wagon and the convertible.

In Europe, the compact segment was dominated by hatchbacks, with three and five doors. Peugeot had the 306 in its offer, and it was well-received, but it was no match for most other competitors. When it introduced the 307, Peugeot changed everything. Suddenly, it became one of the best cost-effective cars on the market.

The 307 featured the French carmaker's new design language, which showed feline-inspired shape for the headlights. While it couldn't fit a lion nose in the grille, it made it with one horizontal slat and stuck the company badge in the middle. In the apron, the carmaker installed a smiling-shaped grille and a black lip at the bottom. With its wide doors, both front and rear, and the wide C-pillar, the 307 showed a near-premium stance, even though it was priced as a budget car. At the back, the corner-mounted taillights sported a leaf-like shape flanking the tailgate.

Inside, the French carmaker installed two seats at the front and a 60/40 split-folding bench in the rear. Its main concern was to provide decent room for five adult passengers, and it succeeded. Yet, the third middle seat was cramped due to the extended center console. At the front, the higher seats allowed a relaxed driving position. A rounded dashboard with a sloped center stack offered was driver-centered. The silver trims on the door panels, center console, and inside the instrument cluster created an upmarket feeling.

Under the hood, Peugeot offered a wide choice of gasoline and turbo-diesel engines. Most versions were paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, and, for selected engines, a four-speed automatic was on the options list.