Peugeot RCZ (2009-2015) review
With concept car looks and a sporty driving experience, the Peugeot RCZ is a left-field alternative to the Audi TT.
Few small coupes will turn as many heads as the sleek Peugeot RCZ. Launched in 2009 and facelifted in 2013, the stylish Peugeot has even the upmarket Audi TT and bold VW Scirocco beaten for crowd-stopping kerb appeal.
Yet look beneath the racy looks and classy interior and you’ll discover humble Peugeot 308 hatchback underpinnings. As a result the Peugeot RCZ delivers four-seat practicality, surprisingly low running costs and an attractive price tag that undercuts the Audi TT.
The Peugeot RCZ is also powered by a familiar line-up of engines. Petrol models get a the 1.6-litre THP unit in 156bhp, 197bhp and highly tuned 266bhp guises, while the only diesel engine available is the punchy and frugal 163bhp 2.0 HDI.
There are four trim levels to choose from – Sport, GT, Red Carbon and R. The entry-level Sport model comes with all the essentials, while the GT adds leather trimmed and heated seats, plus 19-inch alloys wheels for an extra £2,400. The GT is also available with the smooth and responsive 197bhp 1.6-litre THP petrol engine, which also gets revised front suspension for even sharper handling.
The recently introduced Red Carbon model gets the same engine choice as the GT, but will set you back an extra £1,500. However, this additional outlay buys a vast array of upgraded kit, including sat-nav, xenon headlamps, metallic paint and a distinctive carbon red finish for the dashboard.
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Cash £13,099Sitting at the top of the range is the extremely rapid Peugeot RCZ-R. Based on the GT model, this very special machine features a heavily modified 1.6-litre petrol engine and substantial suspension upgrades. The result is one the most exciting and engaging front-wheel drive cars money can buy – although at £32,000 it’s not exactly cheap.
Engines, performance and drive
If you want a Peugeot RCZ for its concept car looks more than pure driving thrills, then either the lower powered 156bhp 1.6-litre petrol, or 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel should suit. Drivers seeking a more involved experience with their RCZ should opt for the 200bhp 1.6-litre petrol, which feels more nimble and has its own front suspension geometry and quicker steering.
The Peugeot RCZ R with its 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds and a rear suspension that's 44 per cent stiffer than the 200bhp car, feels completely different. Due to its higher level of engagement it should appeal to the more hardcore driver. While it offers buckets of grip in the dry, the RCZ R can be unforgiving in the wet if you are brave enough to switch of the electronic stability control.
Yet the RCZ R delivers much more than more power and a stiffer suspension set-up. For instance, the front brakes come from the brand’s 206 WRC rally challenger, while the engine internals have been lightened and strengthened with exotic materials such as titanium.
Furthermore, the limited-slip differential at the front axle prevents there being too much torque steer or wheel spin. It displays impressive composure and suffers virtually no body roll, while the sharp, direct steering is backed up by a slick six-speed manual gearbox and decent brakes.
Push this car hard, and you’ll find loads of reassuring grip, helped by the electronically activated rear spoiler, which rises at speeds above 53mph and helps boost stability. The RCZ is certainly more agile and engaging to drive on twisty roads than the ageing Scirocco, and it even gives the rear-wheel-drive BMW 2 Series a run for its money.
Plus, the ride is smoother than we expected from the low-profile 19-inch tyres, although things do deteriorate quickly over poorly maintained roads, with the suspension crashing into larger potholes. Buyers looking for a smoother ride should stick to the softer Sport with its 18-inch wheels.
Low-slung leather sport seats and a lower centre of gravity give the Peugeot more of a sports car feel than the hatch-like Scirocco or grown-up 2 Series. It also provides plenty of seating and wheel adjustment, which means a great driving position – although taller owners may be concerned by the high-set pedals and lack of an off-clutch footrest.
MPG, CO2 and Running Costs
Strangely, the flagship Peugeot RCZ R model returns better economy figures than the THP 200. On the combined cycle it manages 44.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 149g/km, as opposed to the 1.6-litre THP 200's 42.1mpg and 155g/km of CO2.
If, however, you want to spend the least amount of money at the pumps, then the Peugeot RCZ with the 2.0-litre HDi engine is the one to go for with a combined economy of 54.3mpg and a CO2 level 135g/km.
Other good news about the Peugeot RCZ's running costs, comes in the form of firm residuals which come as a result of strong used demand.
However, while the RCZ isn't as costly as an Audi TT or Volkswagen Scirocco to run, don't except it to be as good as its German rivals in terms of overall quality.
Interior, design and technology
There’s no denying that the Peugeot RCZ is one of the most attractive cars on the road. While there are some elements of the Audi TT about it, the elongated shape, ‘double-bubble’ rear window treatment and aluminium roof bars give it a look all of its own.
The 2013 facelift added a small version of Peugeot’s latest corporate grille, which is underlined by a wide lower opening. It looks better in the flesh than in pictures, although some would argue that the old grille was a better design than the current car. Either way, the RCZ is a head-turner, and it attracts more attention than the VW Scirocco.
Go for a GT model, and you get 19-inch alloys in place of the 18-inch rims on Sport models, but aside from that, there are no racy additions like you’ll find on a Scirocco R Line. You can add kit such as matt-black roof rails and extra black trim, but unless you go for the hot RCZ R, the range gets the same clean, uncluttered shape, whether you choose an entry-level petrol or top-spec diesel.
Climb inside, and the RCZ has a real sense of occasion that a VW Scirocco struggles to emulate. The low-slung seating position and wraparound dash have a far sportier feel, while you get heated leather electric seats as standard, and you can change the black upholstery to coloured hide for an extra £150.
You’ll find plenty of room up front, though, and there’s lots of equipment included as standard. You get heated leather seats and climate control, plus Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.
Entry-level Sport RCZs get air conditioning, alloy wheels, a USB port for iPods and rear parking sensors as standard kit, whereas GT models get leather trim and front parking sensors thrown into the deal. The Carbon Red model adds distinctive interior trim materials, sat-nav and xenon headlamps for a modest £1,500 premium over the GT.
The hottest Peugeot RCZ, the RCZ R, gets its own styling to underline its performance credentials, with bigger forged 19-inch alloy wheels, matte black roof rails and a fixed rear wing. The sporting theme continues over to the interior of the RCZ R, and owners are given some racy red stitching, a pair of figure-hugging front seats, and the short-throw gearknob from the excellent Peugeot 208 GTi hot hatch.
Practicality, comfort and boot space
As you’d expect, there’s a price to pay for the Peugeot’s sleek looks and low-slung stance.
Those back seats are a token effort, with thin backs, short bases and next to no legroom. You’re better off using them as additional storage, and you can use the seatbelts to strap in items to stop them sliding around. Front seat space is very good, with plenty of headroom, especially when you consider that low roofline.
Not that you’re likely to need it, because the RCZ provides a surprisingly spacious boot. It’s not as deep as the VW Scirocco’s, but offers 309 litres of capacity, and when you fold the split rear seats, you can increase that to 760 litres.
Elsewhere in the cabin, you’ll find a decent amount of storage space, including handy door bins and a number of cup-holders. As with all Peugeots, though, most of the RCZ’s glovebox capacity is eaten into by the fusebox.
Reliability and Safety
The RCZ has gained a cult following over the past four years, and it made its debut in our Driver Power satisfaction survey this year. It finished in 20th position overall and was the top-ranked coupé, with high scores for performance and handling, while running costs were well rated, too. It placed 76th out of 150 for reliability, which is reasonable, while a ninth place finish for Peugeot’s dealers should inspire confidence that any problems should be sorted quickly and professionally.
The RCZ hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but it’s based on the same platform as the last Peugeot 308, which earned a five-star rating in 2009. There are four airbags, ABS with emergency brake assist and tyre pressure monitors as standard.
