What the car is and where it came from
A large family car designed by Peugeot and styled by Pininfarina, produced from 1987 to 1997 in Europe and under license in Iran until 2020.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It is a front-wheel-drive large family car with a shared floorpan from the Citroën BX but no hydropneumatic suspension—except on 4x4 variants, which add it only to the rear axle. It uses TU/XU petrol and XUD diesel engines. It is offered as a saloon and estate.
What it gets right
It establishes a clean, taut silhouette anchored by strong horizontal lines and a low beltline—achieving presence without ornament. Its packaging delivers usable interior space, clear sightlines and predictable responses across engine and drivetrain variants.
What it does not
It does not offer hydropneumatic suspension outside its 4x4 variants. It does not share Pininfarina’s more dramatic design language with the Alfa Romeo 164 beyond surface similarity. It does not claim innovation in powertrain, chassis architecture or driver engagement.
What it changed
It proved that a large family car could win European Car of the Year by prioritising cohesion, usability and visual discipline over technical spectacle or brand theatre.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for drivers who value legibility, durability and understated execution in a saloon. It is not for those seeking driver-focused dynamics, avant-garde form or mechanical distinction.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you want to understand how a pragmatic, mass-market European saloon won over critics and buyers alike through clarity of purpose, not novelty.
