New PEUGEOT 207 VAN review at a glance:
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Advantages: Nice looking, drives like a conventional car, efficient and solid diesel engines, cheap to run

Disadvantages: Lack of room and storage
New PEUGEOT 207 Review:
The new Peugeot 207 van was launched in autumn 2007 as a replacement for the 206 van.

It features sharper styling, improved handling and more standard equipment. Its exterior has a wide grille and slash-cut headlights, giving the van quite a sporty appearance, something that the outgoing model lacked.

The new Peugeot 207 van has another unique selling point with side airbags coming as standard.

The dash is stylish and the general fittings are car-like. Meanwhile standard equipment is high for the sector, with driver, passenger and side airbags all standard, along with ABS brakes with emergency brake assist, electric front windows and adjustable steering column.

Among the options are ESP traction control, cruise control, air conditioning, CD auto-changer and a full length load cover.

Function gives way to form in the side mirror department and though its looks good they prove far too small for everyday use. As with most vans of this size, cubby holes are at a premium but at least there are two cup holders in the centre console.

As the 207 van is basically a 207 car with the rear seats removed, car-like ride and handling are guaranteed. It handles well and is safe and composed in bends. Unlike some small vans, the seats are big and comfortable and there is plenty of legroom, even for tall drivers.

Unusually in this sector, three different engines are available – a 1.4-litre petrol, 1.4-litre diesel plus a 1.6-litre diesel.

The petrol variant offers 75bhp while the diesels have 68bhp and 90bhp. This last unit has plenty of torque on tap from as low down as 1,750rpm. Most drivers will be quite happy with what the smaller engines have to offer.

The five-speed manual gearbox gives smooth slick changes, although the power steering might prove a tad too light for more enthusiastic drivers.

A lot of users will require nothing more than the 1.1 cubic metres of loadspace and the 450kg of payload. The floor in the rear is the wipe clean variety and the load cover is a definite bonus as it will hide cargo from prying eyes.

Top marks to Peugeot for making side airbags part of the standard package but it's a pity they didn’t add traction control too.

The load cover is worth having even if it does feature as an option. But while an engine immobiliser comes as standard, an alarm costs extra, which seems a bit mean. A half-height bulkhead is standard but it won’t stop heavy weights flying forwards in the event of a crash.

Another downside is the space in the rear, which is limited. It is only likely to appeal to small parcel couriers or perhaps security firms who need to transport a dog as part of the job.

Buyers will find the 207 van a very cheap vehicle to run. The HDi common rail diesel engines are legendary for their frugality and longevity so expect few problems and anything up to 60mpg in fuel economy. In diesel guise, a good 250,000 miles could be done, that confirms reputation of the brand where reliability is concerned.