SEVEN UP

Peugeot's 207 has a lot to live up to. Andy Enright assesses what contribution the HDi diesel models will make...

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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.