What is it?
This is Peugeot’s familiar 207, here in five-door form and fitted with a 1.6-litre, 112bhp engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. That makes it by far the warmest (‘hot’ isn’t the appropriate term here) of the oil-burning 207 variants.
What’s it like?
Not too bad. Generally speaking, the 207 is a well screwed together, neatly finished supermini with a comfortable if somewhat plain interior, and the car we tried here, supplied in upper-midrange Sport trim, is no exception.
At the risk of damning with faint praise, it’s not too bad to drive, either. Dynamically this is no Ford Fiesta, but the 207 rides okay, albeit with a slightly rubbery response from the suspension to rapid surface imperfections. Steering, too, while fine around town and in day-to-day cruising, feels a little indirect and artificial when cornering with any degree of enthusiasm.
That diesel engine is a little hit-and-miss. Around town, in first gear especially, it feels somewhat unrefined. In fact, below 1500rpm there’s a distinct lack of drive; from 1501rpm upwards there’s almost a surplus of it, and the sudden transition from one to the other can catch you out and lead to less-than-smooth getaways.
Once rolling, however, the 1.6 HDi smooths out and is quite pleasurable to use. At motorway speeds in particular it’s a quiet, fluid and impressive performer.
Should I buy one?
Maybe. The 207 carries itself with a certain endearing Gallic aplomb, and its distinctive styling will be a draw to some. And the claimed economy figures, a low CO2 rating of just 119g/km and a five-star Euro NCAP rating are all tempting too. But then so too are the superior, more well rounded attributes of a TDCi Fiesta.
Tim Dickson
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Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Wow, I can hardly believe this: Autocar declares a Ford 'a better car!'
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Wow, I can hardly believe this: Autocar declares a Ford 'a better car!'
That would be because the Fiesta is a cracking little car and this Peugeot is still too much like the 206s and 307s that went before it, rather than the 306s with decent build quality that everyone wants...
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Seems expensive seeing as the Audi A1 1.6 TDi sport comes in at just under 16K but with 3 doors. But the badge Kudos and the much better residuals offset any discount on the 207......still one of the better Pug's in the range and is quite well made.
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Just looking at that interior is depressing ! if I had to look at that interior every morning I would think I wish I worked a little harder at school !
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Just looking at that interior is depressing ! if I had to look at that interior every morning I would think I wish I worked a little harder at school !
Fortunately you worked hard enough to be able to afford an Audi, and in later life you should be able to afford an osteopah too.
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Wow, I can hardly believe this: Autocar declares a Ford 'a better car!'
Perhaps because it is?
Fairly disappointed in the figures shown for the 207. My Focus which is much bigger, has the same engine (albeit with 5bhp less) and only 5 speeds, is also rated at 119g/km and does 1mpg more. Either Autocar have made a typo, or Peugeot need to put the 207 on a diet.
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Just looking at that interior is depressing ! if I had to look at that interior every morning I would think I wish I worked a little harder at school !
Fortunately you worked hard enough to be able to afford an Audi, and in later life you should be able to afford an osteopah too.
Ouch artill that hurts...... the ride on Audis is no where near as bad as people think ! need to get rid of this rubbish stereotype
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi ...SPORT !!! I'm not sure even the crown green bowling fraternity would equate this car as having any sporty pretensions.
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Ouch artill that hurts...... the ride on Audis is no where near as bad as people think ! need to get rid of this rubbish stereotype
Personally, I think ones perceptions of a car's ride quality changes the older you get. I'm nearly fifty, and I notice ride quality far more now than I did when I was younger.
Some of the cars I had when I first started driving probably had pretty bad ride quality, but I never really noticed it. Mind you, maybe the roads were smoother then.......
However, it doesnt seem to matter what motoring mag you read, or programme you watch, Audi's poor ride quality is always commented on, so there must be something in it.
Re: Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport
Ouch artill that hurts...... the ride on Audis is no where near as bad as people think ! need to get rid of this rubbish stereotype
Personally, I think ones perceptions of a car's ride quality changes the older you get. I'm nearly fifty, and I notice ride quality far more now than I did when I was younger.
Some of the cars I had when I first started driving probably had pretty bad ride quality, but I never really noticed it. Mind you, maybe the roads were smoother then.......
However, it doesnt seem to matter what motoring mag you read, or programme you watch, Audi's poor ride quality is always commented on, so there must be something in it.
I agree with much of what you say there. When I was a teenager I didn't really pay much attention to ride quality, except the Peugeot 405 I had because it was so damb good.
I have to say alot of nonsense is said about the ride quality on some Audis. I currently have a Citroen C5 and have become a bit of a ride quality nazi as a result. I tested an A3 Sport expecting it to be awful but you know what, it wasn't. Yes it's on the firm side but it isn't crashy or uncomfortable like an S-Line or an m-Sport BMW.
I think some of those who criticise Audis ride should drive one first. Yes it is true some of the time but Audi seem to have got a reputation that all their cars ride badly and it just isn't true.
