The Peugeot 207 Phase 2 (restyled in June 2009) marks the maturity of the lion brand's flagship model. Aesthetically, it adopts a redesigned front bumper (fog lights moved to the extremities) and LED rear lights. Technically, this period (2009-2012) is crucial as it corresponds to the transition to the Euro 5 standard (around 2010), leading to a major overhaul of the engines, particularly for diesel. The 207 remains a heavy but versatile city car with excellent road handling and a significantly improved finish compared to the 206. While the 'Prince' petrol engines (VTi/THP) tarnished its reputation, the diesel engines (HDi) underwent a salvific evolution by transitioning from 16 to 8 valves, correcting most of the early defects.
The Peugeot 207 Phase 2 is a car with two faces. If you're looking for a petrol model, avoid the VTi and THP engines and opt for the modest but robust 1.4i 75hp. However, for a diesel purchase, the 207 Phase 2 is an excellent choice under one strict condition: opt for the 1.6 HDi 92 hp or 112 hp (8-valve) versions that appeared around 2010. These engines corrected the serious flaws of their predecessors (90/110 hp 16v) and offer one of the best performance/consumption/reliability ratios of their time. The 1.4 HDi remains a solid alternative for small budgets, provided you monitor its injector seals.