Peugeot 207 Economique

Ford’s sub-100g/km Fiesta ECOnetic is a five-star car, but Peugeot’s 207 is a worthy rival. While it doesn’t have the dynamic prowess or fresh styling of the Ford, the eco changes haven’t harmed the 207’s handling. And a recent facelift has kept the Peugeot looking sharp. As a budget alternative to the Fiesta, the greenest 207 is well worth considering

The latest 207 has miles more to offer! This is Peugeot’s new Economique, which not only returns superb economy, but also emits less than 100g/km of CO2, so is exempt from road tax.

Under the bonnet is a 90bhp HDi diesel engine. However, its software has been updated, and it has a higher final drive ratio to keep revs as low as possible.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Peugeot 207

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A raft of tweaks has been applied to the bodywork, too, including a lower front bumper, a flat undertray and side sill extensions. There’s also a large rear spoiler, plus specially designed wheel trims and low-rolling-resistance tyres.

Not only do the changes give the car a sportier stance than the standard model, but they help reduce the drag coefficient from 0.30 to 0.27 – important for conserving fuel.

The result is combined economy of 74.3mpg, which is a 10mpg improvement over the regular 207 with the same engine. Plus, the Economique emits 18g/km less CO2. But despite the huge efficiency gains, it feels perfectly normal on the move. Acceleration is more than sufficient for driving in town, and while it’s no match for Ford’s Fiesta dynamically, the only significant flaw in the driving experience is a vague, loose feel to the gearlever.

The newcomer is available with three or five doors and in two trims, and prices start from £13,209 – over £1,300 less than the cheapest Fiesta ECOnetic. So, it’s not just the environmental impact of this car that Peugeot has kept low