If you’re a funky woman who’s doing very nicely for yourself, chances are you’ll buy one of two glamorous cars – a MINI Cooper or a Peugeot 207 CC.

The appeal of the MINI is obvious. It’s very well-built and stylish, and single-handedly created the premium hatchback sector.

But the 207 CC is the real success of this market. Before its arrival, there was no great demand for a small convertible. These windswept and soggy isles don’t sit well with open-top motoring.

But the fact that this model has a hard-top which folds in 25 seconds (I timed it!) means it can be both a sensible and secure coupe and a sexy cabriolet in the time it takes to put your seatbelt on.

The fact that it’s also sensibly priced and well put-together adds to the appeal. The 207 CC range starts at £17,000, with this higher-performance GT model costing just under £20,000. That really is a lot of car for the money and compares well with the MINI.

But the 207 CC doesn’t just appeal to women. I found it smart, stylish and beautiful to drive, and the compromises that come with open-top motoring – lack of a big boot and darkness of the cabin – were minimised.

The 207 CC is a huge improvement on its predecessor, the 206 CC. Unlike the old model, it employs all the current Peugeot styling traits without suffering from an overdose of cuteness. In fact, it has quite a sporty air.

The fact that there’s little sacrifice to be made in opting for the entry level specification in the 207 CC range also bodes well for the model.

The Sport version is good enough, but here in the GT you have a raft of upmarket features such as an electronic parking guide, alloy wheels, climate control, anti-lock brakes, leather trim and lashings of chrome. It also has a USB connection and a stereo which combines neatly with an MP3 player.

Quality is high, with a solid feel to the materials and a design that makes the most of the space and equipment available. A busy feel is complimented by plenty of space for mobiles, wallets and other pocket-hugging trinkets, something that can be lacking from cars in this segment.

It’s comfortable too, with supportive, bolstered seats as standard and sculpted doors with perfectly-positioned armrests. Where the 207 variant has made little progress compared with the 206CC is in terms of rear space. In its defence, Peugeot doesn’t call the 207 CC a four-seater, preferring the term two-plus-two.

That has historically been the motor industry’s way of confirming that the rear seats are for decorative purposes more than anything. Adults will struggle to the point of admitting defeat to make use of them, although small children will fit. As a bonus for parents with children keen to feel the wind in their hair, the 207 CC has an impressive record with Euro NCAP and in rollover crash testing.

In the less catastrophic event of a downpour, it has quite a speedy roof. Folding tin-tops have raised the appeal of compact convertibles like the 207 CC, and the neat and speedy system present on the Peugeot is a great example why.

With the roof in place, the model is as refined as the hatchback; with roof and windows lowered at the push of a button, it’s transformed into a tidy looking and thoroughly enjoyable open-air pseudo-sports car. Even without a diffuser, the buffeting is tolerable at motorway speeds, although there’s naturally some additional movement in the body with the roof stowed in the boot.

The 207 CC’s impressive platform does a good job of limiting the scuttle shake, thanks in part to its compact size. With the roof in place, the chassis boasts a very competent ride, able to cope with rougher road surfaces and large potholes without drama.

There’s a lot to be said for its road holding and handling. The steering is light but the chassis responds well to changes of direction, while body roll is limited in a sporty manner.

Performance does feel a little stunted with the additional weight of the motorised tin-top on board. The 1.6-litre petrol unit feels less sprightly than in some other models, and needs to be pushed fairly hard to find the performance. That said, it’s a very pleasant engine for more sedate cruising, and puts in a respectable zero to 62mph performance when required.

A five-speed manual gearbox with a short throw is livelier than the four-speed automatic. It can be a little vague for really exuberant driving, but is geared ideally for use around town.

Getting the styling appeal right meant half the battle was already won for Peugeot, but in the 207 CC it’s followed up on it with a car that delivers from the base specification up. A fine car for the swish woman (or man!) about town.

Peugeot 207 CC GT:- PRICE: £19,645.

ENGINE: a 1,560cc, four-cylinder diesel unit generating 110bhp.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 119mph, 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds.

COSTS: Urban (town) 45.5mpg; extra-urban (country) 65.6mpg; combined 56.4mpg.

INSURANCE: Group 9E.

EMISSIONS: 130g/km.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.

Steve’s Ratings:- Performance: 4/5 Ride/Handling: 3/5 Space/Practicality: 3/5 Equipment: 4/5 Security/Safety: 4/5 OVERALL: 4/5