Peugeot 207 1.6 Sport 5DR (A) Review
03 Aug 2010|21,759 views
Personally, I think that Peugeot is doing really good with the design language of their current model range. The distinctive snouty family face shared across the range looks as good on the 308CC as it does on the 308 as well as the 207. I dare say that the current Peugeots are some of the most exquisitely designed automobiles on the current market. The design does a fine teeter totter of equal parts styling grace and understated machismo.
Exterior
On first impressions, the 207 is immediately familiar as it shares distinctive design cues with the rest of the Peugeot family. From the front, what dominates your attention most is the pointy snout that's a key design feature on most of the Peugeot range. Together with the large cat-eye headlamps that have been stretched way back in unison with the car's profile, it creates a menacing impression. This very masculine profile is offset by the wide gaping 'smiley' air intake just below it. A pair of fog lights with chrome surrounds dot both edges of this 'smiley face'.
From the side, the 207's lines are very gentle and curvaceous. Starting from the beautiful snouted front, the line is gently raked over the windscreen before it plunges back softly towards the hatchback rear. Combined with the low ground clearance, it gives the car a nice muscular stance. In the rear, the wrap around tail lights also help create a taut, conservative rear end.
Exterior
On first impressions, the 207 is immediately familiar as it shares distinctive design cues with the rest of the Peugeot family. From the front, what dominates your attention most is the pointy snout that's a key design feature on most of the Peugeot range. Together with the large cat-eye headlamps that have been stretched way back in unison with the car's profile, it creates a menacing impression. This very masculine profile is offset by the wide gaping 'smiley' air intake just below it. A pair of fog lights with chrome surrounds dot both edges of this 'smiley face'.
From the side, the 207's lines are very gentle and curvaceous. Starting from the beautiful snouted front, the line is gently raked over the windscreen before it plunges back softly towards the hatchback rear. Combined with the low ground clearance, it gives the car a nice muscular stance. In the rear, the wrap around tail lights also help create a taut, conservative rear end.
 |
Interior
The 207 seems worlds away from the interior of the 107 I tested not too long ago. You get a sense that the boys at Poissy (the factory just outside of Paris) put a little more effort into the 207. Once inside, you find that both the front passenger and driver seats are very comfortable and give support where needed with the leather giving a quality feel. Even the rake and reach adjustable steering is a delight to use giving a very comfortable grip level without it being cluttered with cruise control buttons or shortcuts for the audio. Just beyond, a trio of dials with white backgrounds stare back at you with their thick fonts. Giving the impression of gauges used aboard ninetieth century ships.
 |
A quick survey of the dashboard gives the feeling that the cabin is quite a pleasant place to be even for long journeys. The centre console starts with an amber lit LCD screen that displays the information for date, time and the selected audio source. Below that you get the simply designed factory audio system with six CD MP3 playability.
Performance of the factory audio isn't very impressive although during the test, the audio's bass did bring the interior's poor fit to my attention. Throughout the test drive, the nagging sound of a loose or loosely fitted plastic panel on the left side of the car made itself known every time a low note was played through the speakers. If I were pumping out heavy bass at insane decibels through the speakers, the vibrating panels would have been forgiven. In this instance though, the vibrating panels were still present even when the audio volume was down to four. I am hoping that this is an isolated problem and due to a test car with too many miles (kilometres in the local context) on it. A quick check of the odometer shows just 355 kilometres. Not good.
Performance of the factory audio isn't very impressive although during the test, the audio's bass did bring the interior's poor fit to my attention. Throughout the test drive, the nagging sound of a loose or loosely fitted plastic panel on the left side of the car made itself known every time a low note was played through the speakers. If I were pumping out heavy bass at insane decibels through the speakers, the vibrating panels would have been forgiven. In this instance though, the vibrating panels were still present even when the audio volume was down to four. I am hoping that this is an isolated problem and due to a test car with too many miles (kilometres in the local context) on it. A quick check of the odometer shows just 355 kilometres. Not good.
Rear passenger comfort takes a hit as the rear seats can only comfortably accommodate smaller adults. The rear situation is more pronounced with a taller driver. A long limbed passenger like me will get quite uncomfortable behind an equally tall driver. But on a positive note, the 280 litre boot capacity is supplemented with the flat folding knockdown rear seats which increases the volume to 1474 litres. This helps the loading of large and bulky cargo tremendously. Kudos to Peugeot!
The Drive
Losing the turbo has invariably stunted the 207's performance although on the flipside, economy is probably what most potential owners of the 207 1.6 Sport will be going for. Acceleration off the lights is sluggish as the little 1.6-litre tries its best to haul the 1.2 tons up to speed through its 4-speed sequential tranny. At highway cruising speeds, the car seems to perform better in the higher gears and makes one wonder if the transmission was geared towards higher speeds. Overtaking doesn't feel sluggish at all though the cabin noise is a tad louder than I would like from a continental car. The ride on the highway is pliant but on the smaller and uneven roads, the car does succumb to its shorter wheelbase.
The Drive
Losing the turbo has invariably stunted the 207's performance although on the flipside, economy is probably what most potential owners of the 207 1.6 Sport will be going for. Acceleration off the lights is sluggish as the little 1.6-litre tries its best to haul the 1.2 tons up to speed through its 4-speed sequential tranny. At highway cruising speeds, the car seems to perform better in the higher gears and makes one wonder if the transmission was geared towards higher speeds. Overtaking doesn't feel sluggish at all though the cabin noise is a tad louder than I would like from a continental car. The ride on the highway is pliant but on the smaller and uneven roads, the car does succumb to its shorter wheelbase.
 |
Conclusion
Personally I'm still struggling to accept the recent rise in COE prices as we're paying more for essentially the same car. One would usually expect more for what we pay for but it'll be unfair to subject the 207 to such scrutiny. It is however pretty well equipped with both auto rain sensors and headlamps. The five star Euro NCAP rating too will be quite attractive for potential owners. Other pluses include the 14km/litre you get with its 1.6.
If you're thinking about a hatchback that's a little more chic than the usual Japanese hatches, the 207 will be a pretty option. Frankly, I think it looks pretty stunning in Flamenco Red.
Personally I'm still struggling to accept the recent rise in COE prices as we're paying more for essentially the same car. One would usually expect more for what we pay for but it'll be unfair to subject the 207 to such scrutiny. It is however pretty well equipped with both auto rain sensors and headlamps. The five star Euro NCAP rating too will be quite attractive for potential owners. Other pluses include the 14km/litre you get with its 1.6.
If you're thinking about a hatchback that's a little more chic than the usual Japanese hatches, the 207 will be a pretty option. Frankly, I think it looks pretty stunning in Flamenco Red.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Personally, I think that Peugeot is doing really good with the design language of their current model range. The distinctive snouty family face shared across the range looks as good on the 308CC as it does on the 308 as well as the 207. I dare say that the current Peugeots are some of the most exquisitely designed automobiles on the current market. The design does a fine teeter totter of equal parts styling grace and understated machismo.
Exterior
On first impressions, the 207 is immediately familiar as it shares distinctive design cues with the rest of the Peugeot family. From the front, what dominates your attention most is the pointy snout that's a key design feature on most of the Peugeot range. Together with the large cat-eye headlamps that have been stretched way back in unison with the car's profile, it creates a menacing impression. This very masculine profile is offset by the wide gaping 'smiley' air intake just below it. A pair of fog lights with chrome surrounds dot both edges of this 'smiley face'.
From the side, the 207's lines are very gentle and curvaceous. Starting from the beautiful snouted front, the line is gently raked over the windscreen before it plunges back softly towards the hatchback rear. Combined with the low ground clearance, it gives the car a nice muscular stance. In the rear, the wrap around tail lights also help create a taut, conservative rear end.
Exterior
On first impressions, the 207 is immediately familiar as it shares distinctive design cues with the rest of the Peugeot family. From the front, what dominates your attention most is the pointy snout that's a key design feature on most of the Peugeot range. Together with the large cat-eye headlamps that have been stretched way back in unison with the car's profile, it creates a menacing impression. This very masculine profile is offset by the wide gaping 'smiley' air intake just below it. A pair of fog lights with chrome surrounds dot both edges of this 'smiley face'.
From the side, the 207's lines are very gentle and curvaceous. Starting from the beautiful snouted front, the line is gently raked over the windscreen before it plunges back softly towards the hatchback rear. Combined with the low ground clearance, it gives the car a nice muscular stance. In the rear, the wrap around tail lights also help create a taut, conservative rear end.
|
Interior
The 207 seems worlds away from the interior of the 107 I tested not too long ago. You get a sense that the boys at Poissy (the factory just outside of Paris) put a little more effort into the 207. Once inside, you find that both the front passenger and driver seats are very comfortable and give support where needed with the leather giving a quality feel. Even the rake and reach adjustable steering is a delight to use giving a very comfortable grip level without it being cluttered with cruise control buttons or shortcuts for the audio. Just beyond, a trio of dials with white backgrounds stare back at you with their thick fonts. Giving the impression of gauges used aboard ninetieth century ships.
|
A quick survey of the dashboard gives the feeling that the cabin is quite a pleasant place to be even for long journeys. The centre console starts with an amber lit LCD screen that displays the information for date, time and the selected audio source. Below that you get the simply designed factory audio system with six CD MP3 playability.
Performance of the factory audio isn't very impressive although during the test, the audio's bass did bring the interior's poor fit to my attention. Throughout the test drive, the nagging sound of a loose or loosely fitted plastic panel on the left side of the car made itself known every time a low note was played through the speakers. If I were pumping out heavy bass at insane decibels through the speakers, the vibrating panels would have been forgiven. In this instance though, the vibrating panels were still present even when the audio volume was down to four. I am hoping that this is an isolated problem and due to a test car with too many miles (kilometres in the local context) on it. A quick check of the odometer shows just 355 kilometres. Not good.
Performance of the factory audio isn't very impressive although during the test, the audio's bass did bring the interior's poor fit to my attention. Throughout the test drive, the nagging sound of a loose or loosely fitted plastic panel on the left side of the car made itself known every time a low note was played through the speakers. If I were pumping out heavy bass at insane decibels through the speakers, the vibrating panels would have been forgiven. In this instance though, the vibrating panels were still present even when the audio volume was down to four. I am hoping that this is an isolated problem and due to a test car with too many miles (kilometres in the local context) on it. A quick check of the odometer shows just 355 kilometres. Not good.
Rear passenger comfort takes a hit as the rear seats can only comfortably accommodate smaller adults. The rear situation is more pronounced with a taller driver. A long limbed passenger like me will get quite uncomfortable behind an equally tall driver. But on a positive note, the 280 litre boot capacity is supplemented with the flat folding knockdown rear seats which increases the volume to 1474 litres. This helps the loading of large and bulky cargo tremendously. Kudos to Peugeot!
The Drive
Losing the turbo has invariably stunted the 207's performance although on the flipside, economy is probably what most potential owners of the 207 1.6 Sport will be going for. Acceleration off the lights is sluggish as the little 1.6-litre tries its best to haul the 1.2 tons up to speed through its 4-speed sequential tranny. At highway cruising speeds, the car seems to perform better in the higher gears and makes one wonder if the transmission was geared towards higher speeds. Overtaking doesn't feel sluggish at all though the cabin noise is a tad louder than I would like from a continental car. The ride on the highway is pliant but on the smaller and uneven roads, the car does succumb to its shorter wheelbase.
The Drive
Losing the turbo has invariably stunted the 207's performance although on the flipside, economy is probably what most potential owners of the 207 1.6 Sport will be going for. Acceleration off the lights is sluggish as the little 1.6-litre tries its best to haul the 1.2 tons up to speed through its 4-speed sequential tranny. At highway cruising speeds, the car seems to perform better in the higher gears and makes one wonder if the transmission was geared towards higher speeds. Overtaking doesn't feel sluggish at all though the cabin noise is a tad louder than I would like from a continental car. The ride on the highway is pliant but on the smaller and uneven roads, the car does succumb to its shorter wheelbase.
|
Conclusion
Personally I'm still struggling to accept the recent rise in COE prices as we're paying more for essentially the same car. One would usually expect more for what we pay for but it'll be unfair to subject the 207 to such scrutiny. It is however pretty well equipped with both auto rain sensors and headlamps. The five star Euro NCAP rating too will be quite attractive for potential owners. Other pluses include the 14km/litre you get with its 1.6.
If you're thinking about a hatchback that's a little more chic than the usual Japanese hatches, the 207 will be a pretty option. Frankly, I think it looks pretty stunning in Flamenco Red.
Personally I'm still struggling to accept the recent rise in COE prices as we're paying more for essentially the same car. One would usually expect more for what we pay for but it'll be unfair to subject the 207 to such scrutiny. It is however pretty well equipped with both auto rain sensors and headlamps. The five star Euro NCAP rating too will be quite attractive for potential owners. Other pluses include the 14km/litre you get with its 1.6.
If you're thinking about a hatchback that's a little more chic than the usual Japanese hatches, the 207 will be a pretty option. Frankly, I think it looks pretty stunning in Flamenco Red.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Photos by Benjamin G, Kline
Car Information
Peugeot 207 1.6 Sport 5dr (A)
CAT A|Petrol|14.2km/L
Horsepower
89kW (120 bhp)
Torque
160 Nm
Acceleration
12.7sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Peugeot 207
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