The New 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 latest Clio and Fiat’s Grande Punto. That’s despite the fact that they claim their latest model sets fresh class standards in terms of trim quality and equipment levels, even in this entry level model. We’ll get to that.
First, the design of the 207. It follows the corporate image seen 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 which it shares with the 1007. The striking and rather sporty look, which was designed in-house by Peugeot’s own stylists, should ensure a strong customer following.
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 inherently built into the car. Peugeot is building the 207 at three sites in France, Spain and Slovakia, ensuring that when sales start to ramp up, they’ll have sufficient capacity to meet the demand.
"On the road is where the 207 really shows its mettle, especially in the petrol form"
With the Urban, 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 15.1 seconds and goes on to a maximum speed of 103mph. The 1.4-litre petrol-powered model reaches 62mph in 15.6 seconds and has a similar top speed of 104mph. 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 44.8mpg, against the diesel’s impressive 62.7 and there is a similar difference with the CO2 emissions figures of 150g/km for the petrol model and 120g/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 new 207 Urban, you can immediately sense that this car is far removed from the 206 in terms of its quality and elegance. Plus the 207, even in this entry level model, is head and shoulders above its equivalent 206 model in refinement. 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 seated in the front. With the front seats fully extended backwards, the space in the back can be a bit restricted.
And the equipment levels - are they really class-leading? It depends how you look at it. The Urban model does come surprisingly well kitted out with features that include power steering, remote control central locking with deadlocks, electric front windows with one touch operation for the driver, stereo radio and CD player, driver and passenger seat height adjustment as well as 60/40 split folding rear seats. A sophisticated braking system is also standard on this car featuring ABS with EBFD (electronic brakeforce distribution) and EBA (electronic braking assistance) ensuring the 207 stops quickly and in a control manner. Other rivals can match this tally at affordable prices but arguably, the quality of the Peugeot’s trim is better.
Safety has been designed into the 207 from its conception so it was no surprise that it earned a five star rating from the EuroNCAP tests. The 207’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 also feature as standard on the Urban model. 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 Peugeot 206 was a tough act to follow yet the 207 looks like a star in the making. It is beautifully styled and extremely well put together. The doors shut with a reassuring "clunk" just like a Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Even with this entry level model you feel cosseted in a classy car. The Peugeot 207 Urban could prove to be the surprise package of the range.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Peugeot 207 Urban range
PRICES: £9,095 - £10,595
INSURANCE GROUPS: 3
CO2 EMISSIONS: 120-150g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.4 petrol] 0-60mph 15.6s / Max Speed 104mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4 petrol] (urban) 33.6mpg / (extra urban) 56.5mpg / (combined) 44.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin and side airbags, ABS with EBFD and EBA
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4030/1720/1472