Peugeot 208 (2023 - ) review

The 208’s full list price looks expensive compared to its rivals; the entry-level Renault Clio is significantly cheaper, while the Suzuki Swift gets a plethora of features as standard. As you move up through the trim levels, costs quickly start to climb. However, there are deals to be had if you are planning to finance or lease your 208. In other good new the E-208 qualifies for £1,500 Electric Car Grant, helping to bring the cost of going electric down and if you can charge on a dedicated EV tariff at home, running costs should be kept to a minimum. Meanwhile, Peugeot claims both mild hybrid options could do over 60mpg, and our experience of the petrol model suggested it too could manage nearly 60mpg on a good run.

Shared know-how from Stellantis (which also owns Vauxhall, Citroën, Jeep and Fiat among other brands) has helped Peugeot to up its reliability game. In recent years it can generally be found in a mid-table position in reliability surveys. For peace of mind all 208s come with a three-year/100,000-mile warranty which can later be extended for a fee. Additionally, the E-208 is covered by Peugeot Care which provides up to eight years of cover is you stick to the recommended service schedule at a Peugeot approved dealership.

Entry-level cars come with all the usual safety systems, including an array of airbags, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitoring, emergency braking, cruise control and a speed limiter. These standard safety features weren’t overbearing and despite being a small car the 208 felt solid and planted on the road which filled us with confidence. GT trim gains a more sophisticated emergency braking system with a night function and the ability to detect cyclists in addition to pedestrians. Meanwhile, range topping GT Premium models get blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with the ability to steer for you as standard. Alternatively, you can add these more useful safety features as part of an option pack from Allure trim and above.

The 208 is set up for comfort despite its sporty appearance. We were impressed by the way the 208 effortlessly smoothed out lumps and bumps in the road. It was significantly more refined than the Suzuki Swift we lived with on long-term test and even at motorway speeds the 208 kept its composure. The seats have plenty of padding and, while the higher-grade models get swankier upholstery, details like textured fabric and orange stitching on the cheapest Style trim help it avoid looking like a budget option. Rear space is cosy with limited head- and legroom, but two adults would be fine on shorter journeys, and the boot is also acceptable for a car of this size. However, the ‘i-Cockpit’ interior layout won’t suit everyone. We couldn’t find a driving position where we could avoid catching our knees on the steering wheel and see the full driver display, which is a shame because we like the design in theory.

The entry-level Style model we tried was undeniably charming and had all the basics covered with its central touch-screen, built-in sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors and air conditioning. We didn’t feel like we were lacking any essentials, plus we loved the physical dials in the instrument cluster and the manual handbrake. This trim level is only available with a petrol engine, so you’ll have to move up a grade if you want a mild hybrid or electric 208. Doing so gets you Allure trim which features Peugeot’s distinctive digital driver display, a fancier infotainment interface with automatic air conditioning, alloy wheels, front parking sensors and an electronic handbrake. Higher level GT models get sportier styling, wireless phone charging and ambient lighting and range-topping GT Premium has creature comforts like electrically adjustable heated front seats with massage function.

The 208’s only pure petrol option won’t win you any bragging rights, but it is nippy around town and has enough power to easily get up to motorway speeds. It’s easy to drive and the manual gearbox is satisfying without feeling like too much hard work. We enjoyed being behind the wheel and, in contrast to heavier SUVs and crossovers, the little 208 felt nimble and light on its feet. If you’re less enthusiastic than we are about having to change gears yourself, there are automatic versions of the 208 available, so you can sit back and let the car do all the work. You could go for one of two mild hybrid options both of which are slightly quicker than the petrol 208 on paper with a small electric boost helping to improve efficiency. Alternatively, there’s the fully electric E-208 which you can read more about here.