Peugeot 207 Allure 1.6 VTi 5dr Car Review - March 2012

Peugeot 207 Allure 1.6 VTi 5dr comes with 1.6 litre petrol engine which produces 120bhp and 120lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is fairly good in this model and the car is able to travel from 0-62 mph in just 10.7 seconds and on to an impressive top speed of 125mph.

Whilst the handling is more than acceptable and road grip is high the suspension is lacking and this means bumps and imperfections on the road can be felt within the cabin.

The Allure 1.6 VTi comes with power steering, electric front windows, stability control, central locking system , folding seats, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and alloy wheels. There are also electrical door mirrors but these are oddly shaped and positioned and the adjustment mechanism is a little difficult to operate.

The overall build quality feels high and the soft-touch plastics used within the cabin look both resilient and attractive, offering the perfect combination of style and functionality. There are some low quality plastics in places though.

With an adjustable steering wheel for both reach and rake, and a height adjustable driver’s seat on all models, the 207 offers a great driving position but unfortunately comfort levels are not the same throughout the rest of the cabin, with high levels of noise infiltration and poor suspension.

Cabin space within the front is ample and the rear seats do well for headroom but are left lacking when it comes to legroom - something which limits the car's practicality as a family vehicle. Boot space is also a little on the small side with just 270 litres of room offered when all of the seats are in position.

The 207 is equipped with passenger airbags, side airbags and driver airbags as well as a three point centre belt system.

Priced at £14,695 this model is fairly expensive compared to others in the range. This is a reflection of the higher trim level and performance credentials on offer but many motorists will be tempted by the cheaper models.

Running costs are also a little steep and the car achieves just 46.3 mpg on the combined cycle with high carbon emissions of 141g/km placing it under road tax band F. Even insurance premiums are higher than other models falling under bracket 15 and these costs combine with poor resale values to make this model a somewhat risky investment.