Car reviews

Introduction

The Peugeot 207, although classified as a super mini, doesn't look like a mini car, at least not anymore. The car's wheel base is 4 inches longer than the 206 and the dull, powerless engines had been dropped. Created from the rather dodgy car that the 206 was, French designers have done a great job of turning the fate around. The car has been built on the Citroen C3 platform and although they are similar in size, the Peogueot 207 is marketed as the sportier mini.

Exterior & Interior

Although the general stylistic line remains true to the old 206, the new generation is a much nicer car. Its aggressive front end and the swift wedge-shaped body sets it apart from the more placid-looking minis offered by other car makers.

The 4 inches that the car has gained in its wheel base definitely helps, adding a little more legroom for the passengers and allowing the driver some flexibility in adjusting their driving position. Both the steering column and the seat can be adjusted in several ways to adapt to your individual driving preferences.

The 207 features a minimalist interior with a slight hint of sportiness. The dashboard is very clean and neat. Everything that you'd normally find on a dashboard is hidden away in the centre column or in the semi-ellipsoid behind the steering wheel. Material use and quality of assembly is significantly better than in the previous generation Peugeot.

Drive

The seats resembling anatomic seats of sports cars are positioned low on the floor and you'll have to get used to the new driving posture. The seats are very comfortable but might find them difficult to begin with.

The upgraded suspension has a great ability of absorbing most of the bumps and potholes when driving on uneven surfaces. It provides a reasonably pleasant ride even when fully loaded. Steering may feel unresponsive, especially at low speeds. The power steering system of the 207 is very light and cottony.

Driving a 1.6-litre Peugeot, be it petrol or diesel engine, is a great experience. Its sporty character is accented by the low seating position.

Faults & Repairs

Cost of repairs and frequency of fault occurrences can be compared to the better-selling German rivals. The 207 is not like the unreliable Peugeot 206 that is used to be. In this case, the designers have decided to cut costs by re-using another car's platform and engines, so the compromise on quality hasn't been necessary.

The little Peugeot is trying to match bigger cars with its advanced electronics system. This is not always going to go smoothly. The electric system often needs attention and when something goes wrong you have to visit the dealer to get a quick 're-boot'. Other than that and a few issues with suspension, the car is reliable. The BMW-influenced engines almost never go wrong.