The car manufacturer from France has been making cars for over one hundred years. Originally a bicycle manufacturer this insistence on convenient, mobile travel solutions is still present on Peugeot dealership forecourts today. Peugeot have focussed on making small cars for many years and can be seen as a company the have cornered this end of the market through stylish design, performance and brilliant brand management.

Styling has been a concurrent factor in the design of all the superminis made by Peugeot.
A look at your local dealership will demonstrate how important style is as a design ethic; after all they are French. From the tiny 107 up to the somewhat larger 1007 the Peugeot supermini collection offer style and grace and some of the sportier models are great fun to drive. If you head down to your dealership you will most likely be able to experience this yourself through a test drive.

The Peugeot 107 is the smallest car on dealership forecourts. A tiny 3 door with quirky styling it makes a great first car or ideal city run around. Its running costs are extremely low which will undoubtedly appeal to those of the green persuasion. While it is a comfortable car for two, ferrying around any more people will be troublesome; the space in the rear seats is confined to say the least although for the price you are not going to be expecting a family car. The boot is also relatively small although as a compact car designed for traversing the city the premium on space is a necessary evil.

The 206 is also contained in the supermini category on your dealership forecourt and comes in both 3 door and 5 door models. It has been around for a number of years now but the styling is still contemporary and has many fans among the young, especially those who like to make modifications.

Because of its age however it is increasingly being seen as a budget alternative to the new 207 in the hatchback category. The age of the car is apparent in the interior styling with a lot of plastics, poor layout and an uncomfortable driving position.

That is not to say the Peugeot 206 is a poor car overall. If you undertake a test drive from your dealership you will find the driving experience engaging and extremely enjoyable. The steering is responsive and balanced although on motorway journeys the car does suffer somewhat.

The 1.6 HDi sport offers the most fun for those who appreciate the thrill of driving. Ultimately this car is a good value alternative to more modern counterparts. Running costs are relatively low while picking up a bargain from your local dealership should not be a problem because of its age. Although dated, the Peugeot 206 remains a decent little car.

A departure from the usual young driver focus of Peugeot in the supermini market is the 1007. With two electrically powered doors it has become an ideal small car for older drivers. The remote access has made it popular with those who have mobility issues and also those who are troubled by parking restrictions. Sadly the styling is clumsy and awkward and makes it the ugliest car on the dealership forecourts; this can be seen as strange considering famed design house Pininfarina penned the cars outline. Inside however the design is efficient and extremely comfortable.

Sadly because of the heavy electric door mechanisms the driving experience of the 1007 has suffered. It was never going to be a sporty model but power steering makes parking simple and easy and the use of a 2 tronic gearbox means city driving is easy on the left foot. In terms of safety it is a brilliant family car, it received five stars from the Euro NCAP safety body, an accolade that not many cars actually manage. Fuel economy is also good which makes the car an inexpensive vehicle to run and maintain.

Overall the supermini range at your local Peugeot dealership offers cars that are efficient and in the whole stylish. The young driver market will like the 107 and 206 as budget alternatives to the larger hatchbacks that have enough credibility to be appealing. More practical drivers will appreciate the 1007 for its clever use of space and comfortable interior. As a company that has made decent small cars for a number of years, the heritage of design is clear for all to see.