What does it cost?
Peugeot 207 SW full 9 point review
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Performance
Four engines are offered: 94bhp 1.4- and 118bhp 1.6-litre petrols, and 91bhp and 110bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesels. Even the entry 1.4 petrol is a willing unit, but if you regularly carry heavy loads it's worth considering the 1.6 petrol or the more powerful diesel. All come with a five-speed manual gearbox. The 1.6 petrol is also available with a four-speed auto.
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Ride & Handling
Like the 207 hatch, the SW is eager to turn into corners and feels composed at all times. The steering is too light to inspire confidence at speed, but effortless around town. Petrol models provide a controlled but reasonably supple ride; the heavier diesels are much firmer, though.
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Refinement
The SW's roof bars kick up a little wind noise, but it's far from irritating. Road and suspension noise are also kept to a minimum, while the engines make themselves heard when worked, but settle down at a steady cruise. Only the vague gearshift disappoints.
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Buying & Owning
The 207 is one of the pricier superminis and this SW version carries a premium of around £850 over the equivalent five-door hatch. Still, you should be able to secure a good discount and running costs are competitive. Each model averages more than 44mpg and the 207 is comparatively cheap to service.
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Quality & Reliability
The 207's smart dashboard and slick controls wouldn't look out of place in a car from the class above, while metallic highlights around the vents and dials add to the quality feel. In the past, Peugeot's reliability record has been rather less impressive, and in the 2011 JD Power survey, owners again reported that the 207's reliability was below average.
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Safety & Security
Every 207 SW has four airbags and anti-lock brakes with the latest electronic stopping aids, but stability control is only a cost option and you need at least Sport trim to get curtain airbags. Deadlocks, marked mechanical parts and a visible vehicle identification number all make life more difficult for thieves.
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Behind The Wheel
The driver's seat can be cranked up and down and the steering wheel adjusts in two directions, so people of all shapes and sizes can make themselves comfortable. There's decent space all-round, too, while the uncluttered dash features well-labelled controls, including simple rotary dials for the air-con. The panoramic sunroof means the cabin in light and airy.
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Space & Practicality
The 207 SW gives rear occupants more legroom than the hatch because the bench seat is mounted further back and higher up. There's also slightly more headroom, but the biggest improvement is to the boot, which has grown from 270 to 325 litres. If you need even more load space, the rear seats can be folded flat, and the SW has a separately opening rear screen, so you don't have to lift the whole tailgate to load smaller items.
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Equipment
The entry-level Access models come with the basics - power steering, electric front windows, remote central locking and four airbags - but we recommend you step up to Active for air-conditioning and Bluetooth. If you want standard alloy wheels, you need top-spec Allure trim, which also has tinted rear windows, a sports interior pack and curtain airbags.
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Our pick of the range
Peugeot 207 SW 1.4 VTi Active 5dr
With a decent, willing engine and reasonable specifiation for a sensible price, this is our favourite version of the 207 SW.
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