There are three 1.6-litre engines. The 153bhp turbocharged petrol engine is smooth and flexible, with an even spread of ready power throughout the rev range. The lower-powered version is slightly less sparky, but strong enough for most. The 110bhp diesel is sweet and quiet, but short of real guts, and it needs revving to make quick progress.
Roof up, the 207 turns into corners crisply and grips well, while giving a comfortable ride. Things don't deteriorate too much when you drop the roof, either.
With the roof up, there's very little engine noise when cruising; you need to rev the engines hard before they start to grate. Only coarser road surfaces are noticeable in the cabin, but there's considerable buffeting from the wind around the top of the windows.
The CC is affordable, and dealers aren't shy when it comes to discounts. Resale values aren't too bad, either, because cheap drop-tops are always in demand. Fuel economy is good and emissions are low, which is good news for company car drivers.
The car certainly feels well built. Some of the cabin plastics feel hard to the touch, but they have a soft look, which helps enhance the impression of high build quality. Drilled pedals and an aluminium gearknob also give the CC a sporty feel, but there are some question marks over the car's reliability, which was rated as below average in the 2011 JD Power survey.
All models have five airbags, including one for the driver's knees. Brake hard in an emergency and the hazard lights will automatically light up to warn other vehicles, while roll-over bars will automatically pop up if the car's wheels become airborne. Stability control and an alarm are only fitted to GT models.
It's easy to make yourself comfortable thanks to supportive seats, and the steering adjusts for reach as well as height. The controls are small but well laid-out, which is just as well, because they're labelled with tiny writing which is difficult to read. The gearshift is firm but precise, and the steering is light at low speeds, but firms up well on the motorway.
There's plenty of room for the driver and front passenger, but the rear seats allow enough legroom only for young children, or an adult behind the front passenger, and they are uncomfortably upright. There's a good range of small stowage areas in the front of the cabin, and even with the roof down there's enough space in the boot for plenty of low-lying luggage or the weekly supermarket shopping. The roof folds into the boot at the touch of a button, taking 25 seconds.
All models come with electric windows, front foglamps, folding door mirrors, sports seats and a CD player. GT adds a leather steering wheel, white-faced instrument controls, climate control, MP3 player, rear parking aid and bigger alloys, as well as directional headlamps. A wind deflector - essential with the roof down - is a cost option for both trims, as is a five-disc CD changer and cruise control. Sat-nav is only available in the GT, and heated seats are only on offer with leather trim.