Peugeot 207 Access 1.4 HDi FAP 3dr Car Review - March 2012

With adjustable steering wheel for both reach and rake, and a height adjustable driver’s seat, the 207 is comfortable for any driver. However the door mirrors are oddly shaped, compromising rear visibility.

The Peugeot 207 Access 1.4 HDi FAP 3dr delivers 74 bhp. Unfortunately, noise disturbance is high and the engine generates a large amount of this when worked hard. Easy to drive, the 207 is supple on the road and can be controlled very well.

With three doors and five seats, it’s a decent small family car with great looks and a smart interior.

This model comes with the basic features like power steering, electric front windows, central locking system, stereo with MP3 connectivity and folding seat, but it lacks air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity as well as alloy wheels which means some buyers may want to upgrade to a higher trim level.

The classy cabin gives it an entirely different look, while the soft-touch plastic and metallic inserts give it a high-quality appeal.

The 207 Access 1.4 HDi provides lots of space for passengers to feel comfortable and there is a good boot capacity on offer as well. Headroom is good throughout the car although legroom in the back is a little restricted.

The 207 has driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard alongside a three point centre belt system. Other features such as traction control and rear parking sensors are missing which could be seen as a real disadvantage.

Reliability is an issue as the car performed poorly in the 2011 JD Power customer satisfaction survey.

The 207 Access 1.4 HDi is quite an economical car with a purchase price of £11,295 and low running costs. Carbon emissions of 110 g/km place the car under road tax band B whilst insurance premiums fall under bracket 5 - making them more than manageable.

On top of this fuel efficiency of 67.3 mpg is offered on the combined cycle, which means trips to the pumps should be few and far between.