Peugeot 207 CC Allure 1.6 VTi 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The 1.6-litre engine delivers 120 bhp at 6000 rpm and 120 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm.

These credentials give good overall performance and a top speed of 124 mph is fairly impressive for a car of this class. Acceleration is decent - you'll hit 62mph in 10.7 seconds. Although hardly sports car performance figures, the 207 CC feels responsive enough and, besides, out-and-out performance is not what this car is about.

The engine is fairly quiet, even with the roof down, although there is a lot of noise from the wind.

All of the controls are well organised but a small sized font on some of the dials can create some difficulty when trying to read them at a glance.

Feature like air-conditioning, electric windows, an adjustable steering wheel and alloy wheels are all offered as standard with the model also coming with Bluetooth connectivity, a built in CD player with MP3 connectivity and climate control.

In terms of the quality of the interior, the overall quality is high although the plastics sometimes feel hard and inexpensive which impairs the otherwise strong style credentials of this model.

In terms of practicality, the car provides plenty of space within the front of the cabin, providing a comfortable driving position. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rear of the car where limited leg room makes long journeys uncomfortable.

Boot capacity is also a little restricted thanks to the folding roof although this is only to be expected. With the seats up the total capacity is 187 litres, with 449 litres available when the seats are folded down.

Airbags are provided for the driver and front passenger. An advanced safety system engages the hazard lights automatically when the brake pedal is pressed firmly, helping drivers to stay safe on the road.

Peugeot have a patchy history when it comes to reliability but the 207 CC comes with a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty which should help to put buyers' minds at rest.

Priced at £18,145, this model offers a good range of features for the price - especially when the car's stylish appearance is taken into consideration. However, fuel economy is not as good as it could be with the car achieving 43.5 mpg on the combined cycle whilst road tax costs are fairly high under tax band F and insurance premiums are likely to be mid-range under insurance group 16.

This makes this a great model for those looking for a stylish and attractive open car with high performance but those more concerned with economy will prefer the dearer Peugeot 207 CC Allure 1.6 HDi 2dr which offers lower running costs.