Peugeot 207 CC Allure THP 156 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The 207CC is a fairly heavy car, but despite this the driving experience is actually quite good, with steering that responds efficiently when cornering. The soft suspension makes for a comfortable ride, and even when the roof is down it is still a good car to drive despite being a little conservative. The driving position is quite good offering supportive seats that can be easily adjusted, but it is the rear visibility which is a big improvement over some of its rivals, with the 207CC boasting a fairly large rear window.

The engine performance for this version of the 207 CC is quite impressive, delivering acceleration from 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds. The top speed of 130mph is also more than enough for motorway driving, but there is a reasonable amount of wind noise when driving at speed.

One of the key features of this little French car is that the styling is very attractive, and it is a car that looks good whether the roof is up or down. The large grille and narrow headlight clusters make for a sporty looking front end. The back end is also quite tidy and has a few curves, although it can look a little square around the back of the cabin when the roof is up. Inside the car looks very good with bright white dials, metal pedals and a centre console that is a little more modern than some other 207’s.

This version of the car does come with alloy wheels as standard, which helps the car to have an attractive appearance. There is also the inclusion of cruise control and climate control that are also welcome additions helping to keep the cabin comfortable and to ease the driving experience, and the power folding mirrors do give the car an extra touch of class. Bluetooth connectivity is included, but satellite navigation and leather seats are two optional extras that will be very desirable for those who have a little extra to spend.

Designing a car that is able to incorporate a folding roof will always mean that some sacrifices are made, and the headroom in the back seat is certainly one area that is a little lacking. On the plus side, boot space is good despite the folding roof, and the designers have managed to keep four seats.

The 207CC is a very safe car and has been awarded five stars by the Euro NCAP safety test, and it does come with a good range of airbags, although the layout of the model means that curtain airbags aren’t an option on the car. It also has a number of driving aids which help to keep all four wheels firmly on the road, and reduce the chances of the driver losing control.

The list price of £19,195 is a lot of money for what is essentially a 207 hatchback that has been converted, but many people may prefer the style and fun of an MX-5, which has some models even cheaper than this version of the 207CC.

Running this car is fairly expensive, with the fuel efficiency returning an average 38.2mpg, which is quite poor. The insurance group is fairly reasonable meaning that premiums aren’t too bad, and the resale values of the 207CC are much better than the hatchback version. This car is supplied with a three year warranty, and also comes with a one year AA membership, which is fairly standard for cars in this class.