Peugeot 207

Thanks to the new Ford Fiesta and VW Polo, competition for supermini class honours has never been tougher. In fact, the heavyweights’ arrival has forced Peugeot to go back to the drawing board in an effort to improve its 207.

With a rejuvenated look and revised engine line-up, the car is ready to hit the road again. Its lights get a softer design all-round, plus there’s a mildly refreshed interior. We tried the 1.4 VTi in entry-level S trim, which produces 95bhp and 138Nm of torque.

Thanks to some engineering wizardry, it’s greener than the lesser 75bhp 1.4, returning 47.8mpg. Our model still felt slow, though, with the 0-62mph dash taking an unimpressive 12.8 seconds. However, the suspension is supple and offers a smooth ride. Add in a well balanced chassis, and the Peugeot handles high-speed cornering without fuss. Yet while the fresh 207 is competent through bends, it’s not the most entertaining car to drive along a windy back roads.

It scores on space and versatility, though, offering 270 litres of boot space. Fold the back seats, and this rises to 1,175 litres. The newcomer is generously equipped, too.

It’s not quite up there with the very best the class has to offer, but the fresh-faced 207 still gives the Polo and Fiesta – as well as the forthcoming facelifted Vauxhall Corsa – something to think about.