CarAdvice.com.au reviews the 2008 Peugeot 207 Touring HDi

 

Model tested: Peugeot 207 HDi Touring

Recommended Retail Price: $29,790

Options fitted: CD stacker ($590); alloy wheels ($900); cruise control and speed limiter ($250).

Handling; brakes; fuel economy; easy to drive; looks brilliant; panoramic glass roof.

Underpowered when loaded; air conditioner on hot days

CarAdvice rating: (3.50)

- Review and photos by Paul Maric & Alborz Fallah

Read the full road test here: http://www.caradvice.com.au/12378/2008-peugeot-207-hdi-touring-review/

Paul:

I’ve sampled quite a few different diesel Peugeot variants and up until this point, I was convinced they had it right. They hit the perfect mix between economy and power – that was until I drove the new 207 HDi Touring.

In theory, the car works very well. It’s spacious enough to fit a small family and its belongings, and on paper it’s frugal enough to keep the finance manager happy at the end of the month. But one area it lacks – and quite noticeably – is when the car is loaded full of people and expected to perform. At certain times, it felt as though Peugeot had focused on getting the best fuel efficiency out of this engine, opposed to building it for drivability.

After loading five people into the car with some luggage, the 40-degree day required the added assistance of air conditioning. Coming onto the freeway onramp, I progressively increased the throttle from a standing start and received next to nothing in return. The lack of power was daunting at times. Plenty of forethought was required before even attempting any overtaking manoeuvres or pulling out in busy traffic.

In a way, the engine shouldn’t be the sole determinant of a car’s abilities. But, in this case – seeing as it’s built as a family car – the engine is the car’s Achilles heel.

If you put the engine to one side though, it’s a whole different story. The entire cabin feels very well built and quite solid. The dash plastics are superb and the build quality seems like that of a much pricier car. Rear leg room isn’t tremendous, but it caters for a small family and suits the car’s demographic.

The panoramic glass roof was an absolute hit with passengers and is a real marvel to stare through when hitting the rainforest.

Boot space is also good, allowing families to store odds and ends, along with all their luggage for trips away.

Braking and steering are both strong points of the 207 HDi Touring. The steering is extremely precise and lightly weighed. The brakes provide plenty of bite and instil confidence while driving – which I’ve found to be the case with all Peugeots I’ve driven.

So we’ve determined that it’s a bit of a handful when the car is loaded with passengers. But if you put the engine to one side, the new 207 Touring isn’t actually a bad car. It comes with plenty of features to keep a small family happy, while also being frugal in return.

It’s disappointing to see a lack of Electronic Stability Control (ESP) as standard equipment, but with a soon-to-be high-rating EuroNCAP rating, it’s sure to keep you safe in the event of an impact.

Don’t write off the new 207 HDi Touring before you’ve taken it for a test drive though – who knows, I may just be one of those people who whinges more than they should. That’s what my ex-girlfriend said anyway…

READ THE FULL Road test here: http://www.caradvice.com.au/12378/2008-peugeot-207-hdi-touring-review/