Peugeot 207 SW Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Peugeot 207 SW range
Prices: £13,495-£16,795 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 3-7
Emissions: 119-165g/km
Performance: [1.6 VTi] 0-60mph 10.7s / Max Speed 125mph
Fuel Consumption: [1.6HDi 90] (combined) 62.7mpg
Safety: Twin and side airbags, ABS
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4149/1748/1694

ESTATE DEPARTMENT

Our Rating: 7.0 / 10

Peugeot has shown itself to be a strong advocate of the estate car concept and the 207 SW continues the line. Steve Walker reports

The assorted baggage that comes with family life can play havoc with your choice of car. One minute you’re young, free, single and thumbing through the classified ads in search of something small, red and sporty, the next you’ve got a couple of kids and a Labrador to take into consideration.

The automotive embodiment of the shackles that parents have attached to their sense of motoring style in the maternity ward always used to be the estate, a normal car with extra capacity courtesy of the ugly great box that someone has welded onto the back. Today, things have changed a little and we have the choice of numerous MPVs and SUVs to bear the burdens of family life. All of which leaves the estate looking a little redundant - or does it? Peugeot certainly retains faith in the estate concept, offering SW versions across its line-up as well as with the 207 we feature here.

There’s no question that the estate car has evolved following the growth in popularity of MPVs and 4x4s. The MPV tends of have more space inside and a clever seating system that makes better use of it, while the 4x4 tempts families with its rugged image, perceived safety and commanding driving position. It’s no longer enough for an estate to tout itself as a family car with a bigger boot. As a result, we’ve seen larger estate models morph into sportswagons and sports tourers. They are marketed to emphasise their racy styling and driving dynamics that aren’t hampered by bulky MPV bodywork or offroad mechanicals, while tacking on that little bit of extra practicality. At the smaller end of the spectrum, estates based on family hatch or supermini underpinnings have largely taken a back seat to the upsurge of MPVs. Peugeot’s 207 SW, however, is ready to fight the estate’s corner.

The engine range for the 207 SW is a slimmed down version of the line-up offered with the 207 hatch. The diesel options will be particularly popular and here buyers have the choice of 90bhp or 110bhp versions of the 1.6-litre HDi unit. In both its forms, the engine produces hefty torque ratings of 215Nm and 240Nm respectively at 1,750rpm which equates to plenty of muscle to get the family from A to B without too much drama. If you don’t much care for diesel, there are two petrol options. The 95bhp 1.4-litre VTi and the pokey 120bhp 1.6-litre VTi. These powerplants have been produced as a result of PSA Peugeot Citroen’s alliance with BMW and the German marque isn’t in the habit of putting its name to duffers.

The VTi branding on these petrol units refers to their implementation of variable valve timing. This is an advanced version of the technology which allows the engine management computer to automatically adjust not only the timing of the exhaust and inlet valves but also the lift of the inlet valves. Basically, it can configure the combustion process according to the demands being placed on the engine by the driver with the aim of minimising fuel consumption and emissions without causing a tail off in performance when you give the throttle a good prodding. All 207 models get a five speed manual gearbox.

The 207 SW is based on the standard 207 five-door hatchback but it’s 119mm longer and 38mm taller. Inside, the larger body gives you extra luggage space to the tune of 55 litres. That means there’s a total of 325 litres available which can be increased to 1,410 litres if you fold the rear seats down. The seating drops down very simply to create a flat load floor which helps when sliding items inside. There’s additional headroom in the rear as well and the impression of a whole lot more thanks to the full length Cielo panoramic sun roof.

If you’re familiar with the way the 407 SW and the old 307 SW look, you could almost give your retinas a rest and avoid eye co