Skip advert
Advertisement

Peugeot 207CC

Pioneering folding hard-top still sets the supermini standard

As the CC bears such a close resemblance to the standard 207, it can’t match the new Wind for image. But it still has plenty of style. The car has coupé-like dimensions, which is down to Peugeot’s own design team – it brought development in-house, after Pininfarina penned the 206 CC.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As with its predecessor, the 207 CC features a two-part roof which has an unwelcome impact on the packaging. The windscreen extends a long way back over the cabin, reducing headroom – it’s all too easy to bang your head when climbing in. It’s not much better at the back, either, with the deck housing the folded roof having a detrimental effect on styling.

What’s more, with the metal lid stowed, the boot space is shallow and awkward to access. The 187-litre load bay trails the Wind by a significant 83 litres on capacity, although with the roof in place, luggage space expands to a generous 449 litres.

The mechanism itself is fully automated, unlike the Renault’s flip-top design. But as the folding operation is so complex, it takes more than twice as long, at 25 seconds – you wouldn’t risk it at a set of traffic lights.

The four-seater layout doesn’t give the 207 CC’s interior a big advantage, as the rear seats are so upright and tight for legroom, even children will struggle to fit in. The driving position isn’t bad, though, and unlike in the Wind, you get reach adjustment on the steering wheel. As with other 207s, the upper part of the dash is modern and attractively designed, but the plastics used lower down in the cabin look and feel cheap.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

e-tron GT

2024 Audi

e-tron GT

46,854 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £34,850
View e-tron GT
XC40

2024 Volvo

XC40

14,006 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £31,520
View XC40
XC40

2022 Volvo

XC40

52,828 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £19,973
View XC40
T-Cross

2022 Volkswagen

T-Cross

27,453 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,927
View T-Cross

Still, that doesn’t stop the Peugeot from triumphing in terms of overall interior quality. It feels like a more upmarket product… at least until you pull away. The 207 CC doesn’t resist body flex as well as its stiff new rival, with movement to be felt around the A-pillars – as a result, the ride on rough surfaces isn’t great.

It isn’t as well damped as the Renault, with bumps and imperfections being felt through the steering and suspension. The chassis is a mixed bag, because while it’s not as rigid as the Wind’s, the Peugeot offers more responsive and communicative steering. Unfortunately, the slack shifting six-speed manual box takes the edge off the driving experience, and the brakes don’t have the firm bite that makes the Wind so reassuring.

The Peugeot’s THP engine is a real plus point, though. It’s smooth, refined and delivers strong performance. The 156bhp unit has a useful 25bhp power advantage over its rival, so the car was quicker during our track tests, while its low-down punch makes for relaxed progress.

The folding metal hard-top is the CC’s unique selling point, but it demands compromises in terms of rigidity and practicality – and that gives the Wind, with its simple flip lid design, the upper hand. Will this prove decisive in our verdict?

Details

Chart position: 2
WHY: The 207 CC is one of the established players in the coupé-cabriolet sector. With a loyal fanbase, it’s a strong rival for any newcomer.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,607 off RRP*Used from £15,997
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,152 off RRP*Used from £14,400
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £2,614 off RRP*Used from £7,850
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,576 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval
Skoda Elroq - front cornering

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval

Despite some models costing over the £37,000 threshold, Skoda has secured the government grant on its mid-size electric SUVs
News
2 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month
Volvo XC40 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month

Swedish company’s popular compact SUV is still effortlessly cool, and great value with our Deal of the Day for 31 August
News
31 Aug 2025
New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition
Fiat Grande Panda La Prima - front cornering

New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition

The newly crowned Auto Express Supermini of the Year is available in hybrid or pure-electric form, with the EV offering 199 miles of range
News
1 Sep 2025