Peugeot 207 XT HDi 2007 Review

Road Test

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

If it wasn't for the 207's magic little diesel engine that delivered 4.6lt/100km over 500km of varied driving, the 207 XT HDi could easily be dismissed as undesirable and the strongest argument yet not to downsize or go green. Compromised by its slavish adherence to current automotive fashion without the usual Peugeot charm, it is not as if Australia needs another overpriced small car with a harsh, noisy ride and an interior that doesn't work if you are of average height or above.

If I am sounding grumpy, it is because my head still hurts from when its suspension tosses even a moderately tall driver temple-first into the hard non-retractable grab handle that is never further than millimetres away. From the time the spring-loaded front door pulls out of your hand and crunches into the vehicle next door, this is a most un-userfriendly car.

There are several basic flaws that make the 207 silly for big Australians. The first is its unusually high scuttle and a very low seating position that has to be cranked up for even a tall driver to be at the right level for the instrument panel. Despite the steering column's reach and tilt adjustment, it is ultimately the instrument panel that determines where you sit and that brings most heads too close to a header rail that has an overly aggressive inward contour, a situation exacerbated by the crude overhead grab handle.

The radical windscreen angle dictates a huge windscreen that acts as a fog collector at the slightest excuse which means the aircon is running most of the time. The smears on the windscreen suggest that it also acts as a perfect condenser for all the polymers that bake out of the trim. As for seeing any bodywork beyond the windscreen, forget it.

While the pedals no longer force your feet to make contact with a rotating steering shaft as in a manual 206, you need to lift your left foot off the pedals and slide it sideways under the pedals to access the left footrest.

The gearshift places second in an unusual dog leg away from the driver that takes some getting used to. The instruments and centre display panel while refreshingly legible feature a speedo that reads in odd number intervals. Those short on licence points note -- align the needle at the first three digit speedo reading and you will be doing 110km/h. When this little diesel wants to cruise upwards of 120km/h, it really needs cruise control and should have it at this price.

A full-sized Aussie shoe won't fit between the rear seat cushion and the centre pillar so getting in and out of the rear involves some fancy foot movements. The glovebox is a joke and forces the owner's manual to live in the passenger's door pocket rendering that next to useless. There is a wasted recess above the glovebox while centre console storage is tight which is typical of most European small cars.

A quick check around the body reveals a massive glossy painted plastic front panel that contains virtually everything except adequate parking protection. Aligning this panel around what's left of the front sheet metal could be a nightmare after a few parking nudges. This front fascia is deep considering the amount of overhang and requires extra care for it not to scrape in modest dips.

Engine access is tight and even a routine front strut replacement involves the removal of a swag of plastic body fittings. Readers complain of high service costs when things go wrong and it doesn't take much to see why. The headlights are outstanding but they are complex and will be expensive to replace if they sustain stone damage.

The metallic coating on the glass rendered the e-tag in the test car inoperable, a situation that requires further investigation.

The electric power steering provides less feedback than my computer mouse but it's super light at parking speeds and artificially firmed-up once on the move, all very clever but soulless. Its electronics are mounted at the steering rack which in an increasing number of European cars involves pulling the drivetrain out to fix should anything go amiss.

On a positive note, the front seats are well-shaped with a good range of adjustment even if there is no cushion tilt function. The rain sensor wipers are brilliant as is the automatic engagement of the rear wiper when you reverse with the wipers on. The leather-bound steering wheel is good quality and the basic sound system is better than expected.

The door armrests are exactly where they need to be and the luggage net on the back of the rear seat is a clever idea.

On the move it corners with a neutrality most unlike a front-drive model which is pleasing and the way the diesel spools up on its turbo after around 1600-1800rpm is good fun, if a little raucous. We're not fans of the strange metallic drone that characterises these new-generation diesels.

In a straight line, it's quite easy to exploit this non-linear acceleration so the 207 will see off more powerful and thirstier cars. Through the corners, it is much harder to harness as it's not always possible to keep the engine in its relatively narrow powerband. While it's more willing than the small Fiat Punto diesels, the 207's oiler still requires some concentration to get the best from it.

Passenger feedback was that it was quite relaxing to travel in as is so often the case with cars that don't reward the driver. This is the big issue with the 207. The bigger 307 XSE HDi 2.0 Touring Wagon is such a good thing for both driver and occupants at only $6000 more that the expectations of quality, driver fun and clever design for the much smaller 207 hatch are high at $27,990.

After all, this is a car that would normally be a rival to the European Holden Barina but has grown half a size in dimensions and a full size in price.

It's still without an auto option, too

When the under $30,000 diesel segment is about to get really hot as the coming Ford Focus diesel goes head to head with its Holden Astra rival, the Pug diesel needs a white rabbit in the hat to counter its tighter cabin and ordinary driving experience.

The 207's only real plus is a one litre per 100km fuel consumption advantage and boutique looks. The usual Peugeot magic act loses something when there is nothing tricky about hiding a designer guinea pig in a $27,990 hat.

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