Peugeot 207 CC (2007-2014) review

The Peugeot 207 CC replaced the Peugeot 206 CC and addresses many of that car's flaws. The newer car offers a good balance between a sporty drive and a comfortable ride, while build quality also feels much improved. An appealing range of engines is offered, including a turbocharged petrol and a fuel-efficient diesel. An impressively spacious boot adds practicality, but fold the roof down and capacity suddenly becomes quite limited. Plus, the back seats are so small that they're almost useless.

Peugeot has recently updated the 1.6-litre diesel model, so it now emits just 125g/km of CO2 and returns an average of 58mpg. Both petrol engines are far more expensive to run, with the range-topping turbocharged model emitting 170g/km of CO2.

For outright performance, the 155 THP turbocharged engine is the pick of the bunch; the 120bhp 1.6-litre feels sluggish in comparison. The diesel is smooth, quiet and cheap to run, but the petrol engine trumps it for driver appeal and is almost as efficient. The 207 CC is agile in corners and the steering is very responsive, making for a sporty drive. The only disappointment is the gearbox, which has a fussy shift action that sometimes makes it hard to find the right gear.

The Peugeot 207 CC is a fairly old design, and not as comfortable as the 208 hatchback. There's no convertible version of the 208 yet, but because that car is newer, quieter, easier to drive and has a softer ride, we recommend waiting until the 208 CC comes out if you're want a new Peugeot cabriolet.

Aside from the back seats (which are so cramped you'd struggle to fit even small children in them), the Peugeot is quite practical for a convertible. With the roof up, there's a very usable 449 litres of boot space, but folding it down reduces the available room massively.

Although some owners have reported reliability issues, the vast majority of 207 CC drivers seem satisfied. Build quality is certainly much better than the 206 CC it replaced.

The long list of standard equipment fitted to the 207 CC means that even entry-level Sport cars feel like a top-spec model. Air-con, electric windows, sports seats and central locking are all included. The GT model adds sporty touches such as aluminium drilled pedals, 17-inch alloys and a leather steering wheel.