Review of the new Peugeot 207 HDi Range

Talk about the big build up. Having to follow the phenomenal success story that was the 206 is a task that would be beyond most cars. Peugeot stepped up to the plate with the 207, a model that's bigger and better in most of the ways that matter. Pivotal to the success of the 207 are the diesel models and the French company hasn't taken the task of developing top notch small capacity diesel engines lightly. Small wonder that BMW came knocking when looking for a company to show it how to build such units.

Peugeot is offering a choice of three diesel engines. These consist of second generation common-rail high-pressure direct injection powerplants and start with a 1.4-litre HDi producing 70bhp. This is followed by a 1.6-litre HDi 16-valve delivering 90bhp and a range-topping version of the same engine with a variable geometry turbocharger that helps it produce 112bhp. All these units are a result of the joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW Group.

Although few can hold a candle to the Germans when it comes to producing larger diesel engines, engineering a high-efficiency compact unit takes more than just lopping a couple of cylinders off or whittling the engine's capacity down. Fiendishly complicated non-linear thermodynamics mean that, although the principles are the same, the practice of building a small diesel is quite different and Peugeot has long been at the forefront of this particular field.

These diesel engines are a case in point. The 1.4-litre engine features a combined economy figure of 64mpg and will get to 62mph in 14.8 seconds, not bad considering the size of the 207 - it's a big hunk of metal. Step up to the 90bhp 1.6-litre and fuel consumption remains identically healthy at 64mpg again but it's usefully pacier, breaching 60mph from rest in 12.9 seconds. Model for model there's a sizable premium to move from 1.4 to 1.6-litre cars. Finally, there are the most interesting models of the lot - the 1.6-litre 112bhp cars. Fuel consumption here is trimmed to 61.4mpg but this engine will allow the 207 to hit 60mph in 11.1 seconds dead and keep going to 120mph. With the less powerful units, there are Urban and S models to consider and the HDI 90 engine powers the environmental special Economique cars which return up to 74mpg. The HDi 112 engine comes in Sport trim.

"The 207 is at its best when there's a diesel engine nestling under its bonnet"

The 207 is an undeniably handsome piece of styling, the big front grille now starting to rest easier on the eye than when it was first introduced and the elegantly tapered rear profile gives the car a squat, dynamic stance on the road. On the latest cars the fog lamps are relocated to vents at each side of the main grille and LED lights are incorporated at the rear.

The engine lacks a tiny bit of torque at the very bottom of its rev range but it pulls strongly thereafter, reminding you to give it a little more in the way of revs than you often would with a turbodiesel hatch. Think of it as Peugeot's way of keeping you on your mettle. Everything about the 207 feels better the harder you drive the car. The rather numb electrically-assisted power steering weights up very nicely when you get your game face on and the suspension offers far better composure than the old 206. The 207 is also a whole lot easier to see out of than its predecessor.

The materials in the cabin look and feel sturdy with no obvious flaws in terms of the way they all fit together. The lower specification models lack some of the fancy detailing you get as you ascend the range but the interior of a 207 is generally a pleasant place to be. The latest cars benefit from revised instrument panels designed to give a more modern feel and some upgraded trim materials. Rear legroom is not as good as in some rivals, although there's compensation in the shape of a 310-litre boot capacity.

Safety has been designed into the 207 from the outset. The car's front end contains two impact absorption structures borrowed from the 407 that distribute impact energy more efficiently in the event of a collision. Sill reinforcements and tubular bars in the doors aid structural rigidity. Numerous airbags are installed in the 207 and the front two 'adaptive' airbags have a dual-generator function that can vary their pressures according to the severity of the impact. Side airbags and curtain airbags also feature as standard or as an option, depending on the model level. All 207s are fitted with two 3-point Isofix mountings in the rear outer seats, each of which can accommodate a child's Isofix car safety seat.

The 207 has its work cut out in the competitive supermini market but these three diesel-engines are up with the very best units of their kind. There are some very talented rivals about, not least of which is Renault's latest - and very spacious - Clio and the Ford Fiesta but Peugeot is confident of building on its strong small car reputation with the latest 207 models.

TOP 5 207 DEALS

The results below show the top 207 deals on buyacar

Peugeot 207 1.4 Access 3dr Hatchback
Price £7,909 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,081
Peugeot 207 1.4 M play 3dr Hatchback Special Editions
Price £6,040 Read 207 Reviews	Save
Peugeot 207 1.6 VTi Allure 2dr Coupe Cabriolet
Price £15,386 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,759
Peugeot 207 1.6 VTi Active 2dr Coupe Cabriolet
Price £14,253 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,392
Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi 92 Oxygo 3dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £9,882 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,763
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT 207 DEALS