Peugeot 207 Urban Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Peugeot 207 Urban range
Prices: £10,695-£12,195 – on the road
Insurance Group: 3
Emissions: 117-147g/km
Performance: [1.4 petrol] 0-60mph 15.7s / Max Speed 106mph
Fuel Consumption: [1.4 petrol] (urban) 33.8mpg / (extra urban) 56.5mpg / (combined) 44.1mpg
Safety: Twin and side airbags, ABS with EBFD and EBA
Dimensions: Length/Width/Height mm 4030/1720/1472

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Our Rating: 7.0 / 10

The Peugeot 207 Urban entry level model has a lot to recommend it. Steve Ghosley explains…

It would be quite normal to feel that you’ve drawn the short straw when you climb behind the wheel of an entry level model in a new car. Normal, but in the case at least of Peugeot’s 207 Urban, completely wrong. Far from being the variant to avoid in the French company’s latest supermini line-up, the pleasant surprise is that in entry-level Urban guise, the 207 offers an appealing package as well as giving a lot for your money.

Peugeot are taking care that the 207 is priced closely to key competitors like Renault’s Clio, the Ford Fiesta and Fiat’s Grande Punto. That’s despite the fact that the latest model benefits from a facelift with revised styling and interior trim.

First, the design of the 207. It originally followed the corporate image that debuted on other models in the range like the 307 and 407, with the large ‘smiling’ grille and sharky front light cluster which extends almost back to the ‘A’ pillar on the 207. The neat styling has shades of 206 about it, yet the car is completely different, based on the company’s ‘Platform 1’ floor pan.

The current models have slight revisions to the front end, the most obvious being the relocation of the fog lights, on models which have them, to independent slots cut into the bumper. Around the back, things are less extrovert but the overall look has real purpose about it. The LED rear light clusters could be the highlight and from any angle, it’s immediately obvious you’re looking at a Peugeot 207. Inside there are revised instrument panels designed to give a more modern feel and some upgraded trim materials.

The Urban is offered in both 3-door and 5-door hatchback forms, the clever design ensuring that the 5-door loses none of the sporting style that is built into the car. There’s a choice of either a 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 1.4-litre HDi diesel unit. The petrol model is an 8-valve engine producing 75bhp whereas the diesel offering is a second generation common rail high-pressure direct injection powerplant producing 70bhp. The diesel model completes the 0-62mph sprint in 14.8 seconds and goes on to a maximum speed of 104mph. The 1.4-litre petrol-powered model reaches 62mph in 15.7 seconds and has a similar top speed of 106mph. It’s in the economy and environmental arenas that the diesel model has the beating of its petrol sibling. On the combined cycle, the 1.4-litre petrol averages 44.1mpg, against the diesel’s impressive 64.2 and there is a similar difference with the CO2 emissions figures of 147g/km for the petrol model and 117g/km for the diesel.

On the road is where the 207 really shows its mettle, especially in petrol form. Surprisingly, the 1.4 petrol is probably the best unit in the range. It revs easily and really sings when driven hard. The steering, ride and handling are superb on both cars and they are great fun to drive especially on twisty, hilly roads, the petrol model just shading the diesel on agility through the bends.

Sitting inside the 207 Urban, you can immediately sense that this car is far removed from the 206 in terms of its quality and elegance. The elegant centre panel houses all the usual heating, ventilating and audio switches and the binnacle behind the steering wheel features three circular dials, mirroring those usually seen on a motorcycle. The overall effect is very pleasing and gives the impression of a very up-market product. The front seats are very comfortable and appear to give good support. In the rear, as with most vehicles in this sector, the available space is rather limited to the size of the passenger and driver