2007 Peugeot 207 Road Test
May 22, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Road Test Overview
- A Bit of History
- How It Goes
- How It Handles
- Behind The Wheel
- Interior Comfort
- The Look
- Space Storage & Practicality
- Safety Features
- Cost of Ownership
- How Green
With the average family size in OECD countries becoming smaller every year, you’ve got to wonder about the need for large family sedans these days. While Australians still like things big, we are nowhere near as bad as our American buddies who still call a Range Rover a medium sized SUV.
Europeans on the other hand, have long been fans of smaller cars out of sheer economic necessity. Overcrowded cities, ludicrously expensive fuel and tiny streets with parking spaces rarer than a Bugatti Veyron, have driven the demand of small economic cars.
But small doesn’t mean cheap. On the contrary, the Peugeot 207 HDi is about big car luxury for a small car price.
For starters, you get one-touch (up and down) electric windows with an anti-pinch feature. This might seem extravagant to some, but it simply means that you can put two hands on the steering wheel, far more often.
Electric and heated door mirrors are standard across all but one of the 207 model range, although only the XE and GT get electrically folding mirrors, which is disappointing considering the premium ask for the HDi.
Automatic door locking and boot once the vehicle is moving, is great if you have those little rascals on board or happen to be driving home late at night through a seedy area.
You also get automatic rain sensing wipers and automatic headlights on function. Both of these systems contribute to increased driver safety, particularly the auto wipers, which mostly get the frequency of the wiper sweep correct, something almost impossible to control manually, during on and off rain showers.
Other comforts include air conditioning with Pollen filter (the XE and GT come with Dual Zone Climate Control) and a separate control duct in the glove box to keep drinks cool on those scorching summer meltdowns.
Interestingly, the windscreen is athermic – with a reflective power of 30%, which is supposed to reduce temperature build up and therefore more efficient air conditioning.
The single CD audio system is a bit average, given its 4 X 15 W output and six speakers, although it sounds OK at medium volume. It’s just that for this kind of money – you expect a ‘you beaut’ system without having to option up.
Another problem in the audio department is the lack of an auxiliary input for your iPod and I have no idea why. There are well over 1 million iPodians in Australia (including me) and we want to listen to our music through the car’s audio system. This is not just a Peugeot issue; very few car manufacturers seem to have heard of this popular apple device.
But if you’re into perfumed candles and that sort of stuff, then you’ll probably want to check out a curious feature in the 207 called the “Fragrance Diffuser” which does exactly that – diffuses any one of seven fragrance cartridges including Lime Fresh and Tender Jasmine from a small plastic device which pops out in front of the LED screen.
The fragrances were developed with a French perfume specialist, so it’s the real deal ladies. It’s of course standard on the XE and GT models, but an option on the HDi.
Active Safety includes: ABS with Electronic Brake force Distribution although the HDi misses out on Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control.
Tags: Peugeot 207, Peugeot Reviews
Excellent review!
I’m in the new card market at the moment and this is yet another car I will have to try and test drive myself.
You missed the Fiat Punto Dynamic 1.3l multijet in your lineup of diesels. It’s cheaper looks better, I know I have one.
To Steve, have a look at the fiat too, such a great car.
It is expensive, weights more than 1300kg. its half size bigger than outgoing 206, but inside it is marginally bigger, rear seat cramped, boot space small for an car bigger than 4 meter long. its low on refinement, steering has no feel. Safety, no stability control, no cruise and it costs $30000 on road. Buy polo or an sporty Astra and have look at the Fiat too. Anthony do you work for PEUGEOT?
driven 207, 207 GT and 207GTI, also driven polo and golf,
refinement of this car is superior to fiat and astra would easily be on par to VW, build quality better than all. the 30k car has new superior traction control and brake assist and ABS, cruise control is a $250 option. i couldnt fit my bodyboard in the boot of a 206 but it DOES fit in a 207. steering for the 207 is par with anythgin else in this range. i have personally had 4 adults in the standard 207 with no problems.
and for the GTI version, id suggest everyone go test one, its cheaper than its rivals and its power is more useable, honeslty who drives at 5500rpm or more in city or highway driving. not many and if you dont your standard turbo is a waste of money. the 207GTIs full power kicks in at 1600rpm!
yes im a fan but hey, ive actually driven them…
but no auto diesel
What’s all this about safety???
The geniuses at Peugeot Australia have, in their wisdom, neglected to offer traction control on this car. You can’t even option it.
The benefits of this safety feature are widely acknowledged: I believe the state of Victoria will introduce legislation requiring this feature on all cars sold there in the very near future. Amen!
It’s the ONLY way to get the manufacturers/importers serious about safety in their products.
The lack of traction control/ESP is the ONLY reason we won’t buy this car. And I bet we’re not the only ones…
Hello! Ofcourse this car comes with ESP. After the XR modell they all come with ESP. I have just bougt the Peugeot 207 GT. But only the 120Bhp. I live in Norway and here the cars are very expensive. In $ i payed 55 000$.
Hi, Just my 2 cents worth: i own a 2008 207 XS HD and I am very pleased with everything. We have all the options as standard in South Africa. I manage and average of 5.3l/100kms and get about 900Kms to a 50L tank of diesel.
The power is brilliant as I hardly have to gear down. The only down side is the cost of parts/services as all the parts are imported.