Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 78%

The Peugeot 207 CC is the successor to the UK's favourite coupe-cabriolet, the 206 CC. That model sold more than 600,000 units across Europe in six years, and Peugeot hopes its replacement will be as – if not more – successful.

So that's why the 207 CC is more an evolution rather than a revolution. It is still heavily based on its hatchback brother, and still features an electrically-folding roof.

View more pictures of the Peugeot 207 CC

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks
The current crop of Peugeots all have a feline quality to them, with their ready-to-pounce stance and big gaping grilles. The Peugeot 207 CC isn't as pretty as the 206 CC, but it's far from an ugly car. From the tip of the front bumper, back to the windscreen pillars, you'd be hard pressed to tell the CC from the hatchback, or SW estate; but the rest of the bodywork is bespoke to the roofless version. The phrase coupe-cabriolet suits the 207 CC more than most of its rivals, with a rakish, sleek appearance with the roof up, and a low-slung look with it down. The roof folds in 23 seconds at the touch of a button – no fiddly mechanical catches to operate here – and with the front and rear side windows folded there's a nice, uncluttered line along the car's flanks.

8/10

2. Looks inside
Like the exterior, the cabin is well designed and easily identified as a Peugeot. There's a sporty feel about the dash that few other hatchback – hot hatches aside – can match, with chrome bits on most models. The controls are well laid out, although the radio has fiddly buttons which were difficult to see, particularly at night. The steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio system and cruise control were hidden behind the steering wheel spokes; although once located fell conveniently to hand.

8/10

3. Practicality
Although the Peugeot 207 CC is officially a four-seater, the reality is the back seats are useless for all but kids in a child seat or luggage as there is virtually no legroom. The boot is a good size – 350 litres – but fold the roof and only a small 204-litre space remains. And there's just a small opening with which to gain access when in cabriolet mode. But if the car will only carry one or two occupants, it begins to make more sense. There's all the space you get in the standard 207 hatchback and plenty of storage spaces. We did find the dark rooflining made the cabin feel slightly claustrophobic, however.

6/10

4. Ride and Handling
Despite its sporty appearance, the Peugeot 207 CC is not a sports car. There's a bit of body flex when the roof is down, so the car feels more suited to a brisk cruise, rather than a country lane thrash. But the car feels much more composed when the roof is in place and makes a real difference to the amount of confidence it inspires when turning corners at speed. The 207 CC has firm-ish suspension means which it can corner flatly and feels stable.

7/10

5. Performance
Peugeot offer three 1.6-litre engines with the 207 CC, one diesel and two petrols. The lower-power 120bhp petrol unit is lifted from the 207 GT hatchback and provides a 10.7 second 0-62mph dash, with a top speed of 124mph. Those seeking outright performance should consider the 150bhp unit which is lifted from the 207 GTi hot hatch, This engine propels the CC to 62mph in just 8.7 seconds before reaching 129mph. We tested the 110bhp diesel engine, which despatches the benchmark 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 120mph. Despite sharing the pulling power top spot with the 150bhp petrol motor, the engine felt short of breath either side of its narrow power band.

8/10

6. Running Costs
Starting at just over £15,000, the Peugeot 207 CC is good value, and solid demand for used examples keeps depreciation in check – it should retain around 50 per cent of its value over 3 years/36,000 miles. Insurance group 8 for the low power petrol and diesel is slightly higher than average for this type of vehicle, and the 150bhp attracts a group 12 rating. Emissions for the diesel and both low- and high-power petrols are 136, 155 and 172g/km respectively. That means tax bills of £120, £145 and £170. The diesel's fuel economy is good, with an average figure of 54.3mpg, while the petrols are slightly lower at 43.5 and 39.2mpg.

8/10

7. Reliability
The Peugeot 207 CC seems well built. Although its predecessor suffered from patchy build quality, newer Peugeots generally feel more solid.

7/10

8. Safety
Few worries here. The Peugeot 207 CC scored a maximum five star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. Both trim levels – Sport and GT – come with ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, pop-up rollover hoops behind the rear seats and driver, passenger, side and driver's knee airbags as standard. The GT model adds an electronic stability programme.

10/10

9. Equipment
The entry-level Sport trim features 16 inch alloys, front sports seats, air-con, electrically-operated and heated mirrors and driver and passenger seat height adjustment. The GT model adds an automatically-dimming rear view mirror, folding door mirrors, rear park sensors, dual zone climate control, tinted rear window and 17 inch alloys. Sadly a wind deflector isn't standard on either model – and is much needed.

8/10

10. X-Factor
It’s the successor to the smash hit 206 CC, and improved in virtually every way.

8/10