Published:
20 April 2012In creating a car that looks this radical on the outside yet costs from the low end of £21k, Peugeot has had to compromise. On the RCZ, this has occurred underneath the skin with its 308 platform, but also in its interior.
Inside, the 308 still dominates. The general cabin architecture and even some details are straight out of the hatchback. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but next to an Audi TT, whose bespoke interior was good enough to be the inspiration for the R8’s, it’s a mite disappointing. There are, however, some highlights.
In GT specification, leather is standard on the front and rear seats, and it can be extended to the upper part of the dashboard with an integral leather pack.
This contrasts markedly with some plastics that are straight from the 308 line, particularly around the steering wheel shroud (noticeable because it’s otherwise well finished around here) and on the lower transmission tunnel. On the whole, though, it’s a well-finished interior and more than acceptable at the price.
The driving position is fine, too, with no pedal offsets and a steering wheel that has a massive range of adjustment (although the wheel itself could be smaller on a sporting car like this).
What you won’t find is much room in the RCZ’s rear. This is strictly a 2+2 coupé. Access to the rear bench is tight, and once you get there, it’s less than accommodating. The backrest is very upright and the squab small. It’s roomier than an Audi TT and those bumps in the roof do add a little to headroom, but for anything other than the shortest of trips, it’s best avoided.
