Peugeot 107 Review

Peugeot 107 Review

The new Peugeot 107 went on sale in January 2009, with three trim options and a new face.

The main changes, as a result of the facelift, are to the lower front panel where the once smiling face has now become more of a grimace. The upper part, comprising the bonnet and Peugeot's trademark feline headlight clusters, remain the same but below is a reshaped front bumper housing two side vents, which frame the foglights, when specified.

In between these vents, the body contours wrap around the new trapezoidal grille with rounded corners; made all the more robust in its appearance by a chrome bar across the centre point. The result is a more forceful looking car, which somehow manages to look bigger than the previous version, launched in 2005.

Just like the old Peugeot 107, the new one is available in 3-and 5-door formats, although why anyone would opt for the three-door is a mystery, when the practicality and ease of use that the two extra doors afford, is well worth the £350 premium. That said, customers interested in the £8,095, base model, the Urban Lite, do not have the option, as it is only available with three doors.

As a base model, it is basic - so much so that the rear parcel shelf is listed as a feature. To be fair, the parcel shelf might be worthy of mention as it has been re-designed to allow easier access to the 139-litres of boot space below. Without the small rear shelf there is 200-litres of cargo space available, to the top of the seat backs, but the area is quite narrow.

From the Peugeot 107's Urban trim upwards, the two rear seats have a 50:50 split and fold function. The bench-seat squab remains static, which means that the backs don't fold to form a completely flat floor. Nevertheless, the luggage capacity is increased to 751-litres and is capable of swallowing items up to 1093mm in length.

As well as the new parcel shelf, the Urban Lite features cloth-covered seats, a single CD/radio with AUX input, electric power steering, ABS with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBFD) and Cornering Stability Control (CSC). The headrests at the front are integrated and both driver and front passenger have the protection of front airbags.

Prices for the Peugeot 107 Urban start at £8,595 for the 3-door and rise to £9,445 for the 5-door, with 2-Tronic transmission. The extra £500, compared to the equivalent Urban Lite, buys remote central locking, electric front windows (the rear ones push open), and side airbags. I have already mentioned the folding rear seats but at this stage, they also come with headrests, while exterior features include side rubbing strips in black plus body-coloured door handles and mirror housings.

The Peugeot 107 Urban is the only level with the option of the 2-tronic transmission, which is effectively an electrically controlled 5-speed manual gearbox that works as an automatic. Apart from N and R for Neutral and Reverse, it has a two-position selector; E for easy (automatic) or M for manual or sequential shift.

Peugeot 107