Performance

Plenty of engines to choose from with the Peugeot 207. Petrol-wise, there are two versions of Pug's 1.4-litre petrol (75 and 90bhp) and a 120bhp 1.6-litre petrol. Diesel enthusiasts have the choice of a 70bhp 1.4 and two 1.6s with either 90 or 110bhp. The 90bhp 1.4 needs to be worked hard to get any kind of performance and is loud at speed while the 1.6-litre 120bhp petrol engine is quieter but also gutless. The 110bhp pulls eagerly, disguising the fact that the 207 has bulked out by between 113kg and 123kg over the equivalent versions of the 206.

Driving

For such a short, squat car the Peugeot 207 rides incredibly calmly without sacrificing the balance and agility that you'd hope for from a supermini. There's a strand or two of World Rally Championship DNA in the genetic mix here and, while the steering has electrical assistance to save fuel and weight, there's little of the numbness that affects the latest Renault Clio. After a mild vagueness around the straight ahead position, it builds reassuringly in feel as lock is wound on and the outer edges of the tyres bite harder into the road surface.

Space

The 207 has gone up a size over its predecessor. It's built on the same platform as the 1007 and Citroen C3 but the wheelbase is 80mm up on their's and the track is wider too. This means more passenger space all round, but especially in the rear seats, where a pair of adults can now sit comfortably. Measuring 270 litres with the seats in place, the boot is 25 litres larger than that of the old 206.

Build quality

The interior is much better built over the old 206, although it could hardly have got worse. Yet the step forward is more a leap because in every model acres of soft-feel plastic have been rolled out, much of it in a nifty geometric diamond grain rather than the usual pathetically unrealistic fake leather grain. As you ascend the range, more aluminium trim arrives on the centre console and the instruments get smarter.

Equipment

There are five trim levels; Urban, S, Sport, SE and GT. The Urban doesn't receive much although there is a single-slot CD-player. Air con starts with the S and alloys with the Sport. A fragrance diffuser is also available - incorporated into the dash, it vents one of seven scents into the cabin.

Safety

Six airbags come as standard, as do anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution. The 207's score in EuroNCAP's crash tests was one of the organisation's highest.

Owning

Economical and clean engines mean the 207 will be cheap to run and insure, although the GT is group 11.

Value

With no entry 1.1-litre, there's no sub £8k model. However, the rest of the models compare well with their rivals from Renault and Fiat.

Verdict

For all its faults, the evergreen 206 can't have been an easy car to replace, and yet Peugeot has pulled it off. The 207 is better built and offers more interior room but has kept the previous model's sense of fun behind the wheel and its cheeky attitude.

Fancy something hotter?

207 Turbo GTi

It's fast, grippy and handles neatly so it's great down a difficult and unknown road as well as being comfortable on a long journey. However, it doesn't have much feedback from the controls - there's no steering feel and the brake pedal is a little dead. But it's great value.

Fancy something bigger?

207 SW

Looking like a minature 407 SW the 207 version is a sweet little estate. There's Peugeot's typical range of smaller petrol and diesel engines to choose from while to confirm its practicality, the 207 SW has more luggage space than its big brother - a huge 1,422 litres.

Don't want a roof?

207 CC

Bigger, roomier and more mature than the car it replaces. The ride is composed and stable but we'd hardly call it fun, thanks in main to the lifeless steering. Three engines to choose from, but go for the 1.6 turbo - it's smooth, flexible and with 150bhp, powerful.

Peugeot 207 rivals
Fiat Grande Punto
Renault Clio
Toyota Yaris

Peugeot 207 road tests
Peugeot 207 CC GT THP 150 - March 20, 2007
Peugeot 207 1.6 GT Turbo - October 11, 2006
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