It’s a pussycat, until you step on it | Editor’s Choice September 2026

Reviews Editor Dan Trent writes…

”I can’t quite believe I’m saying this but I’ve never actually driven a Peugeot 205 GTi, even though I’m of exactly the right demographic in terms of age and automotive tastes. And I do a job that has afforded me access to all manner of exotica over the years. But this legendary hot-hatch has eluded me, thus far at least. What makes it such a legend, though? And how does it inform the E-208 GTi I have just been driving?

“Well, the formula is exactly the same, just reimagined for the electric age. Which is to say, take a small Peugeot hatchback and give it a bit more power, beef up the looks with bigger wheels and a sportier stance, put some red stripes on the bodywork and red carpets in the footwell and … enjoy!

“The original 205 GTi earned legendary status for its relative affordability, giant-killing performance and the famously lively handling contrived by the engineers. A bit too lively for some owners and those that didn’t get punted backwards through hedges back in the day are maturing into increasingly desirable modern classics. Good to see there are a fair few still for sale on Autotrader, and if I were to make up for lost time I’d best be getting in there before values go truly silly.

“Big shoes to fill for the E-208 GTi, given it has to do justice to the 205’s legend but with all the complexities of a modern electric car and four decades of automotive development. Good job the source material is, as before, so strong, the base E-208 already one of the best small electric cars out there. Turns out what worked then works just as well now, too. So, no crazy power output or gimmicky tech. Just a bit more power, fatter tyres, stiffer suspension tuned by folk who really know what they’re about and … red carpets. LOVE the red carpets.

“On the launch event I got chatting with one of the Peugeot engineers and asked him if his team had managed to slip some of the original 205 GTi’s wildness into the new one. He invited me to tell him what I thought when I’d driven it, his mischievous smile suggesting he knew what I was in for…

“Happy to report they seem to have nailed the brief. Just like the original, the E-208 GTi puts handling ahead of power output, which I like because it makes it fun on the kind of roads and at the kind of speeds you can enjoy in everyday driving. Sharp steering, tons of grip and crisp throttle response make it super-chuckable at sensible speeds and, if you are in the mood to play, there’s a whole extra level to unlock if you choose. Seemingly the brilliant “It’s a pussycat, until you step on it” slogan I remember from magazine adverts for the original 205 GTi rings true. And in an age where electric car performance seems to have left everything from good sense to speed limits behind the E-208 GTi is a welcome return to accessible fun. Now with an electric twist. I’d still love a go with the OG, though. Just to test the theory.”

​Search for a Peugeot 205 GTi on Autotrader​