2007 Peugeot 207 GTi Review
November 1, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
2007 Peugeot 207 GTi Review
“Astonishing balance and grip through corners and no slouch in a straight line either – Peugeot’s 207 GTi is a brilliant drive and on my shopping list”
Test Model: 2007 Peugeot 207 GTi with five-speed manual (no auto in the GTi)
Options Fitted: None – standard spec is choc-a-block full of goodies. I suppose I’d have to consider the panoramic glass roof with sunblind for only $1000.
Recommended Retail Price: $33,490 – a hot hatch bargain.
Where it sits: Just $2000 on the GT price of $31,490 and top shelf in the 207 model range. Do yourself a favour and go straight to the GTi. Honestly, I’m not sure why the GT exists at all.
CarAdvice rating: 
- Anthony Crawford
Like rock stars and movie actors who are only ever as good as their last gig, car companies lucky enough to create a cult classic, face a similar problem. How to make a great car better without ruining the driving experience, model after model.
Peugeot’s big time hit was the 205 GTi, first released in 1984 as a 1.6-litre and later, as a 1.9-litre unit. It was unquestionably the best styled and best performing hot hatch of the day, with superior on-road manners to any of the competition at the time.
Performance credentials for the GTi particularly the 1.9-litre spec, were quick even by today’s standards. Off the line launches would see 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds, and flat out was an impressive 204km/h. Not bad for a 96kW (130bhp) powertrain!
What an amazing car, pity we don’t see more of them out there. Definitely one of the most underrated hot hatches.
Fantastic photos as well Tony!
Nice evolution of the shape
I think they should have stuck the GT badge on the 207 small car.
In the end nothing beats the renault clio 182 cup or 205 GTI (when talking French cars).
In the end go buy a Golf GTI, cant beat German quality and steel.
Now if only I could get my employer to give me one of these in my package….good fuel economy, probably excellent resale…great to drive (wouldn’t tell them that mind you!).
I used to be a Mitsubishi Cordia GSR nut (yeah I owned 5 of the 1985 model) – this looks like the perfect mid-life crisis replacement (hey I’m only 35, but I’d bring forward the mid-life crisis for a car like this!).
Every word you said is true. I’m to Peugeot what Paul is to his Cordias, though not as ignorant and biased as other people on this earth, I love hearing about how someone else thinks how awesome a car is apart from me (I’m referring to certain Toyota fanatics).
My main issue is that people laugh at me when I tell them I drive a 405 Mi16. I don’t bother defending myself, I let the track days and lap times speak for themselves. I let the guy who tried to race me in his WRX tell the story with their tail between their legs.
It’s kind of smug owning a car that I bought for FWD $10K second hand that can out handle and out manouver a $40K+ AWD modern performance car.
I see the 207 doing the same thing in the future. And if you can’t stretch you budget for the 207 Gti, even the povo-pack models handle impressively better than most other cars on the road.
You’ll also find that the Europeans know how to set up a proper suspension and steering geometry to reduce or completely eliminate torque steer on high powered small cars.
The only thing I’ll say bad about French cars is that they aren’t built for the long run. In ten years things might start randomly falling off. They’re better these days, but amoungst the enthusiasts, the 505 was the last “good” Pug when it comes to build. My 405 is terrible, but so rewarding when it’s going.
Steve
And the good thing is, unlike all other Peugeots, once you switch the ESP off, it stays off.
Its lift off oversteer is wonderful, but then you will get that, when the inside wheel is constantly coming off the deck!
My only comment, is I would have liked to have seen slightly bigger footwells, and a bigger glovebox.
Other than that, I agree Anthony. It’s a blast.
Elitist said: “In the end go buy a Golf GTI, cant beat German quality and steel.”
ummmm… except the RHD’s are built in South Africa!
Personally, I’d rather save the $10k and get the Peugeot over the Golf
Definitely the best pug ever created. Even the oldest model still stacks well, a dream in the handling department. I loved driving the old 205GTI
Well said Steve. I think the main reason I kept returning to the 85 Cordias (from 86 onwards – unleaded – they lost heaps of power and hence appeal) was overtaking on the highway in 3rd gear – they pulled like a train. Oh, and driving to the Zumpsteins with the windows down – accelarating out of corners in second gear the sound bouncing back off the rock walls was fantastic (ahhh to be 18 again…).
The down sides though – shocking brakes (after a 5 minute workout there basically were none!), and the handling wasn’t exactly brilliant (yep – Europeans are much better there). I guess the Cordias were champagne on a beer budget!
Last comment – promise!
The truely amazing thing about the 207 GTi is the value for money. I think from memory in 85 Cordias were over $25k – with no A/C, no power windows – hell power steering was even optional!!
Foggy,
Yes, BUT under the watchful eye of the Germans :)
My friend has a RHD GTI here, under the bonnet they say built in Milan.
I thin k normal golfs are built in Sth Am.
Having been brought up on hot hatches in the UK in the late 1980’s I have a soft spot for them (Renault 5 GT Turbo, anyone?!). But at around 1,300kg I think the 207 GTI is just too heavy (for its class). The Renault Clio Sport 182 weighed 1,090kg – just think how much better the 207 GTI would be if it could shed a few kgs.
That\’s true Eureka, but the Renault 5 GT Turbo was no quicker than the 1.9 205 GTi and the PUG was far more comfortable.
The extra weight in the 207 GTi has been taken into account and tuned accordingly to provide the best possible driving experience while at the same time, a comfortable car with all the trimmings so that day to day ownership is a breeze.
Take a test drive.
I was looking at a Peugeot GTI but the only thing that swayed me away was the reliabilty issue.But,that’s not to say they are unreliable,this new 207 GTI looks great performs well and may well be very reliable.
Don’t be taken in about the Golf GTI being German and thus, automatically means superior quality and reliability.I test drove the Golf GTI,a fine car and as other reviewers have said to ad nauseaum “The great all rounder”.Adequate power and torque but nothing special-I mean,NOTHING special about being a hot hatch.
I believe the engine manufacturing relationship between Peugeot and BMW has ceased.The engines will still be manufactured until the end of the 207. I don’t know whether any engine technology will still be shared.
Has the new Renaultsport Clio made it to Oz yet? If so, what do people think of it compared with the 207gti? I live overseas atm but as an ex-206gti owner who might return to Australia next yr, I’d be interested in any comments. thanks
I took the 207GTI for a test drive some weeks ago, generally I felt the car was let down by the steering wheel, it is just too light & lacking any feel which is probably one of the more important points the tester left out, it is very rapid mind you & grips very well indeed & pretty quiet & comfortable enough.
Wei, I didn’t find that at all. The steering is not set up like an EVO 1X but then what is? Its a comfortable steering weight that performs well enough at all levels. The steering is power assisted and speed sensitive and I think works fine.
Their reliability scares me, you see it every year on Top Gear amongst other sources. I can appreciate the English loving to rip on the French so i take it with a grain of salt, but i have never heard a kind word for the Pug’s reliability.
Shame really, cause to me thats the first thing i look for.
Sorry my Dads been a PUG lover for decades I would get my arse kicked if I said a bad word against them. Do BMW have problems with their engines in the MINIs ? I havent heard of any problems…..Jeremy Clarksons mum drives one doesn’t she.
I think Jeremy even had a couple in his top 100 cars of the century. One being a 404 wagon…….why?
Anthony, you seem to have thought the seats in the 207gti were great. But from every other euro review I’ve read they have said the side bolstering in to soft and provide no support. Can you comment on this?
Also, a lot of people say the 207gti isn’t that pretty to look at because of its unusual grill. Well I say props to peugeot for making a car with a bit of individuality, one that doesn’t look like every other hatch on the market atm.
Grant – don’t believe any of them. Alborz and Paul have also spent time behind the wheel of the 207 GTi and I would be surprised if they didn’t agree with me on the superb seats in the car.
I read with enthusiasm the article, but have to agree with the comparison between the Renault and the Peugeot. In this category power to weight is critical. I drive a 306 GTI6, which is also a great drive (& apparently quicker than the first series WRX round a track). It is 1200kg with 124kw and about 196NM. Which means the 207GTI has not much more power or torque but has more weight, ie it has gotten bigger than the 306 without much gains in performance (admittedly better torque across the rev band)There is no doubt Peugeot sets up great driving hot hatches, but it seems to be falling behind the competition in performance terms (look at Civic Type R, Renault ClioSport, Focus XR5).
Hi Anthony – what did you think of the gearchange?
I drove a regular 207 a while back, and the first-second shift was a bit off – the selector had to notch off a bit to the left to go into second, not straight down. Did you notice that at all?
That might be right Snowman but the ratios were sound. There are too many cars to list which have a not so easy 1/2 shift. EVO 1X, S3, VXR and heaps of others. All too notchy and affect acceleration of the mark.
Thanks mate! I’m looking at the 207 hdi wagon. Do you have one of them coming in for review soon?
Just drove the 207 GTi and I have to say that it’s great. Once I got used to the seat, got the wheel where I wanted it and set up my usual driving position. I loved how it sounded, liked the seat, albeit the bolsters do look and feel a little soft how many of you would actually use them unless you are tracking the car every weekend? If they were any harder it might be more difficult to get in and out. My thoughts…doors seem big but then I drive an RX8…liked the interior, stylish without being pimped, the Honda suffers from poor styling and too much going on. Liked the back seat, they look like they are comfortable, liked all the toys, get a lot for your $. One question is why do they bother putting cup holders in the car when they are nigh on impossible to reach! Leave them out for pity sake! We don’t buy cars like this for it’s cup holders. Glovebox size is ok for me, why add weight! Would have liked a more substancial left foot rest than the moulded carpet one.
Seems to me like this little car has my name on it and I am one fussy purchaser…..I love talking to salesman about torque and use a Jeremy Clarksonism of how many torques does it have? Interestingly when I looked at this car a salesman spent time telling me about all the bad things about the car and pointing out that the GT model was so much nicer inside…..thank your lucky stars you aren’t a woman buying a car. You waste so much time getting through this sort of rubbish. I smartly said, do you know that this car has an overboost setting allowing you to get 260nm up to 280nm from third gear onwards, oh yes and by the way if I wanted to be told about the GT I would have asked….fluttering eyelids politely…seething inside!
Nope I have driven Golf GTi, RX8, Honda Civic Type R, Renault Hot hatch – build quality?? and the MX5 and this lil pug is the best bang for your buck.
..aaa queenie, that would be 240nm of torque with overboost to 260nm
;)
and they are overstocked with GTs cause they are too close in cost to the GTi, thats why they are trying to sell em, have been given the same speech.
and beautiful car to drive, and much cheaper that a golf or those others and not as small as the clio cups.
i took the peugeot 207 on a test drive yesterday. it was unbelievably great. how many small cars has a small fridge in its glove compartment? i spent all night picturing myself owning one. best mini car i have driven.
but sad to say that people are telling me than the peugot cars are not as durable as the toyota corolla. can anyone say that this is true?
1 nice to read one good review about the GTI ( to manny
bad revies i see , in uk special )
i drove the car, nice, the only down, the 5 gear, today any car car, a good one need 6, , for long trips, etc
2 to julia yes, peugeot is not reliable as toyota that is truth, more problems are in the electrics parts, i don’t no why peugeot change this one for all
A burden of one’s choice is not felt
Not that anyone is probably reading this anymore… but after being a GTi owner since their release in Australia I haven’t had a single reliability issue, no squeaks or rattles, the car still goes like stink (factory ecu upgrade fixed up a minor flat spot during acceleration and, I am sure, shaved some time off the 0-100), still loving the interior, and a great car to live in day-to-day or to take for a poke through the twisties.
And of course it’s nice being a little different from the billion Golfs on the road!
Brian;
also a ex driver of the 207 GTi – had mine for a year until i traded it in for a 09 A3 2.0TFSI Quattro.
Have to say, that pug is an absolute thrill and bang for your buck car. always been thinking, should i have traded it in? its was such a fun car to drive and definitely loved it.
there was a glitch in the software for the first 3 months of production of the 207 GTi which left a flat spot which was easily fixed by Peugeot.
this car was amazing through bends and all my mates cant seem to find another stock car (in a similar price range) with better handling this 207. it was made to hug corners
on reliability issues, no problems with this car – have heard several problems with the golf gti and golfs in general
To Anthony Crawford, and anyone else who might know:
As you have driven both the 207GTI and the VW Polo GTI, and apparently on the same road, who car did you enjoy more? Which has the best overall feel?
I would go for the Peugeot 207, its a better overall package and will easily out perform the Polo GTI (although still a fun car and somewhat less expensive.
I enjoyed finally reading a review of the 207 GTI which actually speaks highly of it. All the European reviews hated it.
Hey
Ok for sure this conversation is long over, but who knows someone may still be checking.. Its just great to finally find a positive review about the 207 GTi. The european reports have slated it.
I recently sold my Subaru STi and was really “concerned” at how driving any other car was going to be so incredibly unfulfilling after living with 2 Subarus.
Well I have to say that the 207 GTi is amazing. Sure its not an STi, but its comforts and easier everyday drivability are plusses and its really an amazingly fun car to drive.
Its rare to buy a car where the longer you own it the more it surprises and delights you.. nippy, good road holding and filled with every comfort you could want.
There are very few on the road here in SA and it is definitely the best kept secret for a performance bargain.
Cheers
Andre