Peugeot 206 Review (2002 to 2006)

Quick Summary

Small estates became deeply unfashionable during the nineties and the Peugeot 206SW isn't special enough to force a rehabilitation. There are many more modern and enjoyable rivals about but buyers can't get enough of the 206's cheeky styling and Peugeot's reputation for building quality tots. The 2.0-litre HDi diesel version represents the best of the bunch if you've got your heart set on the 206SW.

Overall:

Models Covered: (5 DR ESTATE 1.1, 1.4, 1.4 16V, 1.6, 2.0 PETROL, 1.4, 1.6, 2.0 HDI DIESEL [XL, XT, S, STYLE, XSI, QUIKSILVER, SI, VERVE, DTURBO])

PLUS CA CHANGE

As if to prove the fact that car buyers don't care a fig about what motoring writers churn out, Peugeot's 206 keeps on selling by the boatload despite getting rather mixed reviews. Launched in 1998 and now feeling rather long in the tooth, its cheeky looks still find favour with the UK public. Halfway through its life, the choice of models was widened with the addition of the 206CC open-top and the model we examine here, the 206 SW compact estate. With so many sold, finding a decent used example shouldn't prove too taxing.
Used Peugeot 206 for sale

History of the 206

The Peugeot 206 had already been on sale for four years before the SW was launched in May 2002. It wasn't as if sales were flagging in any way as the 206 was at the time, the UK's best selling car amongst private buyers. Rather the driver for the 206SW and its sibling the 307SW was the fact that bar the rather utilitarian Partner Combi, Peugeot had no 'lifestyle' alternatives to the burgeoning crop of mini-MPV and supermini-MPV cars that were starting to sell in serious numbers. Launched with a wide variety of engines and trims, the 206SW thankfully resisted the temptation to cram seven seats into its compact body. A revision wasn't long in coming, the trim structure changing in October 2003. Out went the XL and the XT trim levels to be replaced by Style and S derivatives. A Quiksilver version was also announced to tie in with the skate and surfwear manufacturer of the same name. The SW was also treated to a mild facelift that ran to the tune of a honeycomb grille, the obligatory clear headlight lenses and a bigger chromed Peugeot lion badge on the back. Uniform coloured rear light lenses were also introduced. In early 2004 Peugeot deleted the range-topping 2.0-litre petrol engine from the 206SW line up. The range was reduced to one trim level (Verve) in mid 2005 with only the 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and HDi diesel engines offered.
Used Peugeot 206 for sale

Peugeot 206 Road Test

Built at Peugeot's high-tech production facility at Ryton, near Coventry, the 206 SW is generally found with a choice of four petrol engines and two HDi turbodiesel units. All of the engines will be familiar to anybody reasonably well acquainted with the 206 line up. The petrol units open with the 60bhp 1.1-litre powerplant, followed by an economical 75bhp 1.4-litre unit and a 90bhp 16-valve 1.4-litre with variable valve timing, whilst the most popular petrol engine is the 110bhp 1.6-litre. Diesel customers are well catered for by a 90bhp 2.0-litre HDi unit and a 68bhp 1.4-litre HDi engine which displays remarkable fuel economy.This engine is the result of a partnership between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Ford and is a state of the art common rail direct injection unit that uses a tiny turbocharger to help plump up the torque ad power figures. It's an incredibly compact powerplant that houses the air filter, airflow sensor, turbo silencer, air intake distributor, diesel filtration system and the cylinder head cover within the air intake. In the 206 SW it's enough to propel the car to 60mph in 14.4 seconds and on to a top speed of over 103mph. More importantly, the 64.2mpg average fuel return is exemplary, helped by the fact that at 70mph the engine is turning over at a mere 2700rpm.Peugeot have ignored the current trend for designing cars with a wheel at each corner in the development of the 206 SW, the designers grafting an additional 19.3cm of length onto the overhang behind the rear wheels. This would seem to be a perfect recipe for creating a car with the biggest behind since the AMC Pacer but the 206 SW wears it well. If you'd been pressed to identify where the changes had been made, most would point to the fact that the 206 SW is stretched in the wheelbase, but break out a tape measure and the 2442mm distance from front to rear hubs is identical to the 206 hatchback.
Used Peugeot 206 for sale

Buying a Peugeot 206

The 206 interior isn't the most durable and you should check that all the electrical parts are working correctly. Multiplex wiring means that some electrical gremlins are difficult to diagnose. Seat adjusters are known to become loose and rattle and you should also check the condition of the spare wheel and tyre as these can become damaged.
Used Peugeot 206 for sale

Peugeot 206 Typical Pricing

The earliest – and rather puny – 1.1-litre XL models can be yours from as little as £4,425 on an 02 plate. The better-equipped XT version adds around £500 to this price. Better to try for a 206SW with a little more biceps under the bonnet, and the sporty 16v XSi is a far more entertaining option that opens at a smidgeon over £5,975. The engine of choice has to be the 2.0-litre diesel and these start at around £5,675 in XT trim with the D Turbo starting proceedings at £6,475, again on the 02 plate. The sporty 2.0Si 16v model will give most hot hatches a good run for their money away from the lights and these can be found from £7,000.
Used Peugeot 206 for sale

Peugeot 206 Parts

(based on a 206 SW 1.4 with air con & power steering ex Vat) A clutch assembly is around £100. Front brake pads are around £35, rear brake shoes around £37, a full exhaust about £265, a starter motor about £100 and an alternator around £145. A replacement headlamp is about £60.
Used Peugeot 206 for sale