ZIPPING around town in the Peugeot 207 GT is about as much fun as you can have in a car.
Heads turn as the energetic 1.6 litre diesel engine gets down to business and the sleek chassis and panoramic Cielo glass roof catches the eye.
It drives as good as it looks. The sports seats are figure-hugging - but not uncomfortably so.
A great driving position is easily obtained no matter what your shape and size thanks to a steering wheel that adjusts for both reach and rake plus a height-adjustable driver's seat.
All the controls are logically positioned and easy to use on a clear and concise centre console.
Steering wheel controls are also included making it simplicity itself for the driver to adjust the stereo and cruise control settings without taking his eyes off the road.
There is oodles of space up front for heads, legs and shoulders. It's a little tighter in the rear although the wide-opening doors and sliding front seats make access to the back anything but a chore.
The boot is surprisingly large and the rear seats fold to leave a longer load area.
Some cars with the legend 'GT' attached use this as an excuse to fit suspensions that only dentists would be pleased with due to the number broken teeth from the hard ride.
But the 207 version is melted-chocolate smooth on the road. Point it at a corner and it slips around it with the minimum of fuss.
The 17-inch tyres give the car tremendous poise and grip on the road.
The electric power steering is a joy - light at low speed but getting heavier as the pace increases giving the driver a great feel for what is happening on the road.
This is quite simply an excellent car to drive and indeed is one of the most comfortable small cars I've driven.
The interior shouts quality with half leather trimmed sports seats and climate control adding a touch of luxury to the 207's stylish interior.
There are delightful soft touch surfaces and you're more likely to find an elephant lurking in the back seats than any hint of a sharp edge.
It won't hang around - but is also quite content to cruise along if required.
The 110bhp diesel engine is a card, with the 0-62mph time of 10.2 seconds giving no clue as to the real pace of the car.
Overtaking is a cinch thanks to good mid-range acceleration - the only concern is that the 207 is so smooth and ridiculously quiet a close eye must be kept on the speedometer as you're always going faster than you think.
The car matches its quality performance on the road with a decent showing at the pump as average fuel economy is close to 60mpg. This, coupled with a relatively low insurance rating and tax-averse carbon dioxide emissions, means the 207 is relatively cheap to run.
The price-tag is perhaps a little high compared to some rivals, but you get what you pay for in this life and the 207 is an exceptional car.
There's loads of equipment both to entertain and keep you safe.
The GT is fitted with stability control as well as front, side and curtain airbags plus the latest electronic aids to help you brake. Remote central locking, an alarm and deadlocks add protection from thieves.
There's a host of goodies thrown in with the likes of dual zone air conditioning, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, an excellent CD-radio stereo system, tyre pressure sensors and directional headlights all making an appearance.
Satellite navigation is available for an extra £1,670, while cruise control is an extra £150.
I could only find one, admittedly minuscule, fault to moan about and that is with the wide front windscreen pillars which can hamper visibility a little.
It wouldn't stop me buying this car though.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 207 GT 3dr
Price: £14,875
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 120mph
0-62mph: 10.1secs
Combined mpg: 58.8
Insurance group: 7
CO2 emissions: 126g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 12yrs anti-rust, 3yrs paint