When the Peugeot RCZ launched a few years ago, the carmaker heralded the model as a new era for the brand, showcasing its forthcoming design language and building its desirability.

It entered a marketplace largely monopolised by the popular Audi TT, along with other sporty cars such as the Volkswagen Scirocco.

It’s a good-looking car managing to look sleek and sporty while having some unusual bulbous lines including the double-bubble roof, inspired by Peugeot’s Le Mans car in 2009.

Performance

Engines available for the RCZ include 154bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit for the THP 156 derivatives and a 161bhp 2.0-litre HDi diesel. Until the RCZ R launched in January 2014, our test car, the THP 200, was the most powerful engine in the line-up with a 1.6-litre 200bhp turbocharged powerplant hitting 62mph in 7.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 146mph.

That means it’s pretty pokey, and the well-placed six gears ensure a smooth and rapid acceleration, while some raucous engine sounds make their way through the cabin when you really want to enjoy the available power.

An active rear spoiler also contributes to aerodynamic efficiency: it deploys depending on the speed of the car, which Peugeot says ensures “an ideal balance between fuel consumption and road holding".

The first position opens at more than 53mph and folds back at 34mph, while the second sharper position is activated at speeds in excess of 96mph. Or, if you just like the look of it, there’s a button to manually activate the spoiler in the central console.

Other engines in the range include a 156bhp version of the 1.6-litre petrol unit, along with a more powerful 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel powerplant. All models except our test car come with a six-speed manual ‘box as standard.

Ride and Handling

Its low profile ensures minimal body roll if the urge to chuck it round some rural bends gets the better of you, but it’s also set up for a comfortable ride, which means it handles unsettled roads and mooches around town well for a decent sports coupe.

Steering is on the light side in the RCZ but is direct and seems less artificial than the standard TT, while you can really feel a connect with what the front wheels are doing. Its low profile ensures minimal body roll if the urge to chuck it round some rural bends gets the better of you, but it’s also set up for a comfortable ride, which means it handles unsettled roads and mooches around town well for a decent sports coupe. This 200bhp model is also engineered slightly differently to the rest of the range, including front suspension that has a bolstered lower bracing bar, intended to make the car more responsive and more agile.

Interior and Equipment

The Peugeot RCZ has a double-bubble roof that was inspired by Italian coachbuilding company Zagato.

We had the top-of-the-range GT trim, which includes 19-inch alloy wheels, leather heated front sports seats, front and rear parking aids, and a sports steering wheel. Another surprising thing to consider in the RCZ’s favour is the impressive boot space. It has 309 litres, which is just 7 litres short of a very sensible Ford Focus hatchback, and it’s also a very accessible shape to load up with weekend luggage or shopping. Fold the split rear seats and the maximum boot space is increased to a respectable 760 litres. As you might expect with a sports coupe, rear seat space suffers considerably, and is more of a token gesture than anything else. We found that an average-height occupant was unable to fit their legs in the rear footwell when sitting in the back. Still, few buyers will care about whether the RCZ fits four adults or not. Motorists with families or who are regularly carrying adult occupants should really look elsewhere, as the back is far too cramped for longer journeys.

Cost

The Peugeot RCZ is considerably cheaper to leaser than the Audi TT, but the TT has much stronger residuals.

For a petrol-powered sports coupe, this RCZ fares decently, with CO2 emissions of 155g/km and an official combined fuel economy figure of 42.1mpg. An equivalent Audi TT, the 1.8-litre TFSI with 158bhp, achieves one tax band lower with 149g/km CO2 and slightly better fuel economy at 44.1mpg. The highest-specced RCZ, as tested, costs £26,380. The Audi TT is actually cheaper in S line trim at £24,980 but Audis are notorious for having plenty of costly options. Consider that a rear parking sensor costs £305 and cruise control is an extra £225, and you’ll quickly find the price far surpassing the RCZ. The Peugeot RCZ is considerably cheaper to leaser than the Audi TT, but the TT has much stronger residuals.

Our Verdict

The RCZ is a genuine competitor to the successful Audi TT. Still, there’s no doubt that this THP 200 model is the pick of the range over its lesser-petrolled iterations, in terms of handling and driving dynamics, as well as speed. If you want a good level of pace mixed with decent comfort, you’d pick this version. But keener drivers with an extra £5,000 or so to spare will opt for the RCZ R, which is 1.5 seconds faster on the benchmark sprint. Either way, if you’re looking for a similar model to the Audi TT but don’t want to fork out for one, the Peugeot RCZ is a good substitute.