Peugeot 208

Peugeot 208 at a glance

The second-generation 208 shares its Common Modular Platform (CMP) with the Peugeot 2008, DS 3 Crossback and Opel Corsa. More Peugeot models are listed in our Peugeot catalogue, and the company's story is told in our history of Peugeot.

History

The first 208 was revealed in production form at the Geneva motor show in March 2012. It was about 110 kg lighter on average than the 207 yet roomier inside. A three-door 208 GTi with a sporty look followed. As rivals launched new or updated superminis, Peugeot began work on a successor, and the second-generation 208 appeared at the Geneva motor show in March 2019, going on sale in Europe that summer. This article focuses on the second generation.

Exterior

The new 208 looks completely different. Although it is a small car, its designers gave it a sporty, slightly fierce character, and the front is especially energetic and eye-catching. Vertical LED daytime running lights look like "fangs" or claw marks. Each headlight has three vertical LED strips and a lens for the main beam. In the centre is a large, open grille with the lion badge and a panel for the sensors. The electric version is unusual: its grille is partly painted in the body colour, and the badge changes colour from chrome to bright green depending on the viewing angle. A small V-shaped lower grille in the bumper adds aggression, and the leading edge of the bonnet carries the "208" lettering. Less noticeable details include the sculpted bonnet and a heated windscreen. Improved aerodynamics benefit both fuel economy and performance.

The side looks very attractive compared with the previous generation. Whatever the version or engine, the 208 has a sporty, toned stance and its own character, underlined by stylish wheel arches with black plastic trims that stand out especially on bright paint colours. A spoiler at the top of the rear window adds to the sporty look; in profile the car almost looks ready for a rally. Black window surrounds, black B-pillars and black mirror housings complete the side. The mirrors stay in the corner of the windows rather than moving onto the doors, and even the base version has heated, electrically adjustable and folding mirrors with LED indicators. Stylish 17-inch alloy wheels are available, with 18-inch wheels as an option, and ground clearance is an average 160 mm.

Depending on the version, the roof is plain or has a panoramic glass section; roof rails are optional. At the rear, a black strip stretches across the full width and merges into the tail lights. The tailgate leans forward more steeply, and the rear end looks bigger. The bumper has a diffuser, reflectors and two fog lamps, and Peugeot offers various colours and appearance packs.

Interior

The 208 is noticeably more comfortable and convenient inside than before. Materials include leatherette, better plastics, metal and fabric, and the infotainment system is something the previous generation could only dream of. The driver has a comfortable, original two-spoke steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom, which gives a sports-car feel.

The door panel carries comfort controls. Behind the small wheel sits an attractive "floating" digital instrument panel placed at the same focal distance as the central screen, with rich graphics and smooth animations. Higher versions get the 3D i-Cockpit, which displays information as holograms at different distances from the driver's eyes depending on its importance. The front seats have a more comfortable shape, height adjustment, heating and side support.

Depending on the version, the 208 has a rear camera, wireless phone charging, four USB ports, climate control and an electric parking brake. The touchscreen on the centre console measures 7 inches on most launch versions and 10 inches on higher trims; it supports MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and TomTom navigation, and is angled towards the driver. Below it are two air vents and a small row of aircraft-style toggle switches. Most of the tunnel is given over to storage compartments of different shapes, with the gear selector, a few buttons and a small but comfortable armrest.

Two passengers sit comfortably in the rear; three can fit if necessary. The boot has grown slightly to 311 litres, measured to the parcel shelf, and the rear seats fold 60:40.

Engines and transmissions

The PureTech petrol engines are 12-valve three-cylinders; the turbocharged versions use direct injection. They use 4.1–4.4 l/100 km on the combined cycle, reach 100 km/h in 8.7–13.2 seconds and have top speeds of 170–204 km/h. The 16-valve BlueHDi diesel uses about 3.2 l/100 km, reaches 100 km/h in about 10.2 seconds and has a top speed of 188 km/h. All versions are front-wheel drive.

The electric e-208

The e-208's 50 kWh battery sits under the floor, so it does not take away cabin space. The motor is more powerful than the combustion engines, with 100 kW (136 PS), and takes the car to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. The WLTP range is 340 km. A full charge from a household socket takes about 16 hours, a 7.4 kW wallbox cuts this to about 8 hours, and a 100 kW fast charger restores 80% in around half an hour. Three driving modes — Eco, Normal and Sport — change energy consumption and regenerative braking. With the 2023 update the battery grew to 51 kWh, power to 115 kW (156 PS) and the WLTP range to 400 km.

Chassis

The CMP platform saved about 30 kg compared with the previous generation, and Peugeot says the car has better noise, vibration and heat insulation. The suspension layout is unchanged: MacPherson struts at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear. All four wheels have disc brakes.

Safety and equipment

Besides its striking design, the 208 offers many assistance and safety systems: an electric parking brake, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go on automatic versions, lane keeping assist, a parking assistant, pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver attention monitoring, automatic high beam, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, a full set of airbags, automatic emergency braking and TomTom navigation with 3D maps. In Europe the 208 was offered in Access, Active, Allure, GT Line and GT trim levels.

What owners say

Owner feedback below refers to the first 208, as the second generation was still new when it was gathered. Owners like its looks, size and fuel economy; it is lively and agile, and the automatic gearbox works well. Despite its small size it is reasonably roomy, and the cabin is modern and stylish. On the downside, they mention noise insulation, a boot that is sometimes too small, low ground clearance, paint quality and the simple torsion-beam rear axle. For the money, however, it offers good value, and the new generation fixes many of these shortcomings.

Rivals

The 208 competes with the Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo, Opel Corsa, Toyota Yaris, Skoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza and, until 2023, the Ford Fiesta.