Inside, there’s plenty of room in the front, and lots of little storage spaces in which to stash odds and ends. The rear seats are roomy enough to accommodate a couple of tall adults, provided those in the front seats aren’t too gangly themselves, but you will feel more hemmed in than you do in some rivals. That said, the boot is bigger than many in the class at 311 litres, and the rear seats fold down to extend the load area.
We think drivers will apreciate the 208’s interior design, because it’s a breath of fresh air. The materials are mostly good quality and there’s a really appealing mix of finishes and textures that makes the cabin feel classy and interesting in equal measure.
However, the driving position can be something of an acquired taste: instead of looking through your steering wheel to see your instruments like you do normally, an extra-small steering wheel is fitted and you have to peer over it instead. Some will like the unconventional feel this gives, others might struggle to get comfy. The dials themselves are pretty conventional on the most affordable Active trim level, but for the Allure and upwards they’re replaced by digital 3D ones that have a range of different configurations. They look cool and they work pretty well, while the touch-screen
infotainment system is large and easy to operate when driving.
The petrol-powered 208 has a slightly floaty feel at first, and the amount of vertical movement initially makes you think the car has been set up for a pillowy soft ride, but you’ll still feel the car fidget over lumps and bumps. There are rival superminis that feel smoother, then, but it’s still reasonably comfortable, and if you chuck in a few corners, you’ll find that grip levels are good and body control is tight.
In the electric e-208, we’d say Peugeot has judged things just right. The small EV rides over nasty lumps and bumps with a big-car, unruffled feel, it cruises quietly and feels agile and responsive through corners. It’s one of the better electric cars to drive, although under full acceleration from low speeds, there are times when the impressive zip of the electric motor can overwhelm the front tyres’ grip.