AT-A-GLANCE Peugeot 207 Sport threedoor 1.6 HDi 110bhp.

Price: £15, 095 (on the road).

Top speed: 120mph.

0-62mph: 11.1 seconds.

Fuel: 62.7mpg (combined figure).

Emissions CO2 (G/km): 120.

Excise duty: £35.

Verdict: Great drive, eyecatching looks, low running costs, superb interior and general build quality.

WHILE driving the Peugeot 207, you can’t help recalling the comp a n y ’s s t a r c a r, t h e 2 0 5 , t h a t redefined excellence in the small h a t c h t e r r i t o r y a n d w a s t h e financial saviour of the French manufacturers.

The 205 gave the follow-on models a lot to live up to and the 206, while a good all-rounder, lacked a bit of inspiration. However, the 207 has been honed into a really fine car with a desirable image and it has not strayed far from its predecessor’s successful formula.

The 207 is fun to drive, has better build quality inside and out and more generous equipment levels.

A n d t h e s h a r p a n d d i s t i n c t i ve styling makes the car one of the best lookers in the supermini segment.

But for many growing families, it will be the spaciousness of such a compact motor, the practicality and the outstanding crash protection backed by a 5-star Euro NCAP rating that will probably appeal the most.

However, while the revised 207 may be just up your street, you will h a ve t o p a y f o r i t s q u a l i t y a n d re f i n e m e n t , s o i t w o n’t c o m e cheap.

Prices go from £10,695 for the 1.4- l i t re 8 - va l ve 7 5 b h p 3 - d o o r t o £ 1 6 , 9 9 5 f o r t h e 1 . 6 - l i t re THP 175bhp GTi.

However, as is usual with Peugeot, there is a wide range of engines and specifications to suit many pockets, so you won’t have to bust the bank.

The car is larger than its predecessor, which makes for more passenger space all round and especially in the rear, where there is good head and shoulder room.

The boot space is generous, too, and can be increased with the split rear seats folded.

The comfortable driving position caters for just about all shapes and sizes and this is the case with one of the favourite models, the 1.6- litre diesel, which comes with 90 and 110bhp engine options.

As you’d expect from a company w i t h Pe u g e o t’s re p u t a t i o n f o r smooth diesels, the 1.6-litre is a good ownership prospect and its everyday 60mpg-plus economy is a persuasive argument.

At £15,095, the 1.6HDi 110bhp Sport with a slick five-speed manual gearbox is a good choice for the more enthusiastic driver because of its blend of performance and economy.

The 0-62mph acceleration time takes 11.1 seconds from standstill a n d t h e t o p s p e e d i s a h e a l t h y 120mph.

And even more attractive is the f u e l c o n s u m p t i o n f i g u re s o f 48.6mpg around town, 74.3mpg on the open road and a combined figure of 62.7mpg.

The Sport is not necessarily the paragon of suppleness you might expect on the city streets but on the open road it becomes ver y comfortable. The ride is quiet, too.

Peugeot obviously spends money o n b u i l d i n g i n e n t e r t a i n m e n t because the 207 is one of those rather rare cars that makes you grin every time you turn the steering wheel.

The Sport has superb body cont ro l w i t h p owe r s t e e r i n g t h a t becomes more weighted at higher speeds so that the car is nicely communicative.

In the car park, the light steering and good turning circle make for easy manoeuvres in tight spots.

The 207’s interior is beautifully finished and laid out. The cabin is plush and roomy with a smooth and curvy dash and partly upholstered door trims.

The solidly-constructed doors on the three-door allow easy entry and exit but are heavy and can swing open if you are not careful.

The Sport has an equipment list as long as your arm and it is second only to the flagship GTi.

The kit includes dual zone climate control air-conditioning, side, passenger, driver and curtain airbags, ABS with electronic safety assistance, 16-inch alloy wheels and Pe u g e o t Co n n e c t U S B w i t h Bluetooth.

Options include Peugeot’s navigation system at £690 and an urban pack of rear parking aid and electronic folding door mirrors at £325.