Used Peugeot 208 2019-present review

While it may not be the last word in fashion, the original Peugeot 208 certainly brought some welcomed French flair and style to the small car segment. On the flipside, this wasn't exactly matched with class-leading substance.

The latest, second-generation 2019-onwards model is a big step up, however. It has much-improved road manners and a range of impressively economical engines, making it a superior buy both new and (more importantly here) used. Indeed, if you’re not fussy about a premium badge, the high-spec 208s even hold up well against such plush rivals as the Audi A1 and Mini Hatch.

Engines: Under its pert bonnet, the 1.2-litre petrol engines start with the 74bhp Puretech 75 and work their way up to the 99bhp Puretech 100 and the 127bhp Puretech 130. The 99bhp 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100 diesel could be a better pick for improved fuel economy if you cover a lot of miles. There’s also the e-208, a fully electric car with a 134bhp electric motor, which you can read about in our separate review here.

Trims and equipment: Trims on offer include Active, Allure, GT Line and GT (which is only available in the e-208). Even entry-level Active comes with 16in alloy wheels, a 7.0in touchscreen and rear parking sensors. Allure trim adds 17in wheels and a wireless phone charging pad. GT Line has front parking sensors and a rear-view camera. From Allure trim up, the 7.0in touchscreen could be upgraded from new to a 10.0in touchscreen, which comes as standard on the GT spec for the e-208. It’s worth looking out for any 208s with this larger display.

Ride and handling: On the road, the Puretech 75 is a little weedy, whereas the Puretech 100 is probably all you'll need. It’s lively and gutsy when you work it, and it's absolutely ideal for propelling you along on A-roads and motorways without any fuss. The Puretech 130 is available only with an automatic gearbox and packs more punch than the Puretech 100 but does come at a higher price, even used. The 1.5 BlueHDi 100 has even more low-rev punch than the Puretech 100 petrol for more effortless performance.

The e-208 has a 45kWh battery that powers a 134bhp electric motor – enough to propel the car, in our tests, from 0-60mph in a spritely 7.5sec. That means it’s comfortably quicker than a Renault Zoe, although not quite as nippy as a Kia e-Niro or Mini Electric.

When it comes to the twisties, the 208 isn't quite as sporty as the tiny, kart-like steering wheel would suggest and the steering doesn’t give you a great sense of connection to the road. It’s not as much fun to drive as the Ford Fiesta, for example.

The 208 has softer suspension than close rivals such as the Renault Clio, allowing it to glide along the motorway, feeling like a much bigger car than it is. However, it can be a little bouncy at times, although it deals with potholes well enough. There's some wind noise at higher speeds, but for the most part road noise is at a minimum. Visibility over the shoulder is reduced by the 208’s tapering roof and thick pillars, but the rear parking sensors help make up for the limited view out the back when reversing.

Interior and practicality: The display with the speedometer and rev counter has been designed to be seen from over the steering wheel, rather than through it. This won’t be a problem if you sit a bit higher in the seat or close to the steering wheel, but for many, it’ll block your view of the dials. If you can’t quite see it then you might have to move the steering wheel to an awkward position to keep an eye on how fast you’re going. We strongly recommend test-driving the 208 before committing to a driving position that might not suit you.

Inside, there’s plenty of room in the front. Alas, rear room is a little tighter than in the 208’s main rivals. The materials used make the interior feel upmarket and put it up there with premium small cars such as the Audi A1. The absence of physical buttons for most of the secondary controls means you have to go through the infotainment screen just to adjust things like the air-con temperature, though, and this can be distracting.

The boot isn't as big as those of the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, but it can still hold five carry-on suitcases.

If you're interested in finding a used 208, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

For a 1.2-litre petrol model with the entry-level Active trim, prices start at around £10,000. If you opt for the Allure trim, that will set you back £11,000. There’s a greater selection of 208s in Allure trim on the market, so we suggest stretching your budget a little to give yourself more choice. The range-topping GT Line is closer to £12,000. Cars from 2020 and 2021 will cost around £12,000 to £14,000. You'll need between £14,000 and £16,000 for a 2022 or 2023 car.

Check the value of a used Peugeot 208 with What Car? Valuations.

MPG

The 1.2-litre petrol Puretech 100 has an official WLTP fuel economy figure of 55.6mpg, and in our real-world test it managed 47.9mpg – similar to other small cars of the same engine size. The Puretech 130 drinks a bit more fuel, with an official 51.9mpg average. The diesel model is, of course, more economical, at 71.4mpg, but again you can expect this to be slightly lower in real-world conditions and it does come at a higher price.

Or there’s the option to go fully electric with the e-208. The e-208 also has an impressive official range of up to 217 miles on a full charge. You won't get that far in real-world driving but, based on our tests, 150 miles in winter and 170 miles in the summer is a realistic expectation without trying too hard. That's farther than a Fiat 500 or Honda E can manage, although the Zoe has an even longer range.

Road tax (VED)

All current-gen 208s registered before April 2022 will attract a flat-rate fee of £180 per year.

Servicing and insurance

Peugeot offers fixed-price servicing at £199 for a minor service and £329 for a major service after a two-year service at £269. There are also fixed-price service plans available that allow you to break up the cost over your period of ownership.

The 208 comes with a three-year warranty that can be extended as long as the car is under three years old and has covered less than 60,000 miles. The insurance groups for the different models of the 208 are relatively low and match what you can expect to pay to insure a Fiesta or Polo.

Engine

The 1.2-litre Puretech 100 is gutsy at low speeds and has plenty of power for A-roads and motorway driving. Good fuel economy is another plus for the Puretech 100, which performed well in our real-life mpg test. The more economical diesel might make more sense if you cover a lot of miles, but for everyday driving, the Puretech 100 is the engine we recommend.

Specification

Active trim is a great option with its 16in wheels and heated door mirrors. However, we recommend stretching your budget to go for the Allure trim, with its 17in wheels, dual-zone climate control and electric rear windows. GT Line adds more gadgets such as an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, but at an unnecessary expense.

Our favourite Peugeot 208: 1.2 Puretech 100 Allure

For a fun driving experience, opt for the Ford Fiesta. It has great handling and comes in significantly cheaper than the 208, but that does mean a compromise on interior quality.

If you’re looking for a more spacious and practical small car, the Volkswagen Polo delivers in that department and has an upmarket feel.

Other small cars to look out for are the Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio; both have much longer warranties and are around the same price as the Fiesta.

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If you're interested in finding a used 208, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.