New Car Review - Peugeot 207

Peugeot’s update of the enormously popular 206 translates into an even sleeker and sportier supermini than its predecessor.

Trademark oval headlights frame a much wider grill, and gone are the bonnet vents that defined its predecessor. Strangely the Peugeot badge itself feels the need to dominate the front end (in case you ever forget what you’re driving). But ignoring the boisterous front-end, other stylistic refinements such as bug-eye light-clusters to the rear continue to improve on the successful 206-template.

This driver prefers usually prefers to fit his 6’3” ft frame into a slightly larger vehicle, but found the 207 surprisingly roomy inside with a good driving position. Tall persons would certainly feel cramped in the back; thankfully this one has been doing most of the driving. The cockpit is stylish, however in places not particularly practical. Peugeot have dressed much of the interior with non-slip mats to place items upon, leaving a miniscule glovebox to hide any valuables from immediate sight. I haven’t yet found out if items stay put when talking a particularly sharp corner at speed, and I’m not really looking forward to finding out either. The dials are all present and correct, finished in a black and silver colour-scheme that illuminates in street-lamp amber come nightfall. The trip-computer/audio system mounted on the centre of the console is forever chipping in with useful information whether you like it or not, and has options a-plenty to keep the average gadget-junkie occupied.

The 1.4l provides ample ‘nippyness’ and cruises surprisingly well on longer journeys. Acceleration is a little anaemic, and the ride is mostly quiet, but hit 4,000rpm and the engine growls like you’ve just stepped on its tail. Just don’t expect to win a drag-race off the lights in this model. Perhaps I’m not used to it, but the power-steering at lower speeds is worryingly light – I’m worried that I might sneeze it into next door’s garden when setting-off at times, but thankfully it weights down as speeds increase.

Going back to the interior though – the piece de resistance is the panoramic sunroof. Neatly hidden by tinted glass and a long telescopic panel at first, opening it fully transforms your driving view, whilst bathing the interior in natural light and managing not to make you feel quite as ‘naked’ as you might in a convertible.

All-in-all; a fresh and funky courtesy car, but hand-on-heart, I do miss my Ford Focus.