Peugeot 208 vs Volkswagen Polo: superminis compared
Updated Report an error By Sarah Whitmore
Peugeot · 2019–present
208 II
- Power
- 74 kW101 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 9.9 s
- Top speed
- 188 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,165 kg
Volkswagen · 2017–present
Polo VI
- Power
- 70 kW95 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 10.8 s
- Top speed
- 187 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,145 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: 208 II 4 Polo VI 1
- Family Polo VI Boot: 351 l vs 309 l; Euro NCAP: 5★ vs 4★
- City 208 II Consumption: 4.2 l/100 km vs 4.4 l/100 km
- Long trips 208 II Range: 1,048 km vs 909 km (estimated)
- Performance 208 II Power per tonne: 64 kW/t vs 61 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 9.9 s vs 10.8 s
- Running costs 208 II Fuel per year: €1,100 vs €1,160 (estimated)
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: Front-wheel drive · Hatchback vs Front-wheel drive · Hatchback
Verdict Opinion
The 208 is the more modern range. It is the only one of the pair with an electric version, the e-208 now covers 400 km on the WLTP cycle, and the automatic petrol models gain a 48-volt hybrid.
The Polo is the more practical car. It is the same length but has a 351-litre boot, and the 147 kW GTI gives it a genuine hot hatch. Its 2017 Euro NCAP results were higher for adult occupants and vulnerable road users.
— Sarah Whitmore
The Volkswagen Polo and the Peugeot 208 are two of the superminis European buyers compare most often. The sixth-generation Polo was unveiled in Berlin on 16 June 2017 on the Volkswagen Group's MQB A0 platform and facelifted in April 2021. The second-generation 208 followed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019 on Stellantis's Common Modular Platform (CMP), which it shares with the 2008 and the Opel Corsa. Its facelift was announced in July 2023.
In short: the 208 offers an electric version and mild-hybrid automatics, the Polo a larger boot and the 147 kW GTI. Both are in our catalogue: Peugeot 208 and Volkswagen Polo.
Peugeot 208 vs Volkswagen Polo: engines, electric and space
Petrol engines
The 208 uses a 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder in 55 kW (75 PS), 74 kW (100 PS) and 96 kW (130 PS) versions. Since the facelift, the automatic 100 and 130 versions have a 48-volt hybrid system, while the 75 and 100 manuals carry on without it. The European Polo uses a 1.0-litre three-cylinder: the naturally aspirated MPI with 48 kW (65 PS) or 55 kW (75 PS), and the 1.0 TSI turbo with 70 kW (95 PS). A natural-gas 1.0 TGI with 65 kW (89 PS) was also offered.
Diesel
Peugeot's 1.5 BlueHDi 100 has 75 kW (102 PS). Volkswagen sold the Polo with a 1.6 TDI of 59 kW (80 PS) or 70 kW (95 PS).
Electric e-208 against no electric Polo
The e-208 launched with a 100 kW (136 PS) motor, a 50 kWh battery and 340 km of WLTP range. After the facelift it has 115 kW (156 PS), a 51 kWh battery and 400 km. There is no electric Polo of this generation.
- 208 PureTech 100: 74 kW (100 PS)
- 208 PureTech 130: 96 kW (130 PS), 48V hybrid with automatic
- e-208: 115 kW, 51 kWh, 400 km WLTP
- Polo 1.0 TSI: 70 kW (95 PS)
- Polo GTI: 147 kW (200 PS)
Hot versions
The Polo GTI uses a 2.0 TSI with 147 kW (200 PS) and is built only at Kariega in South Africa. The sporty end of the 208 range in our sources is the 96 kW PureTech 130 and the 115 kW e-208.
Size and boot
The Polo is 4,053–4,067 mm long, 1,751 mm wide and 1,438–1,461 mm tall on a 2,548–2,564 mm wheelbase. Its boot grew by about 25% over the previous generation, from 280 to 351 litres. Our catalogue lists the 208 at 4,055 mm long, 1,745 mm wide and 1,430 mm tall on a 2,540 mm wheelbase, with a 265-litre boot. So the two are almost exactly the same length, but the Polo's boot is clearly larger.
Gearboxes
The 208 has five- and six-speed manuals and an eight-speed Aisin automatic; the Polo has five- and six-speed manuals, a six-speed automatic and a seven-speed DSG.
Euro NCAP
The 208 1.2 PureTech 75 scored 91% for adult occupants, 86% for children, 56% for vulnerable road users and 71% for safety assist in 2019. The Polo scored 96%, 85%, 76% and 59% in 2017 and has a five-star rating dated 2022.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | 208 II | Polo VI |
|---|---|---|
| PI | C · 490 | C · 469 |
| Power | 36 | 35 |
| Grip | 40 | 40 |
| Handling | 77 | 72 |
| Top speed | 34 | 33 |
| Launch | 33 | 28 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 208 IIPureTech 100 · petrol · 74 kW (101 PS) 16.98 sat 128 km/h
- 2 Polo VI1.0 TSI 95 · petrol · 70 kW (95 PS) 17.56 sat 125 km/h · +0.58 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| 208 II | Polo VI | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,055 mm159.6 in | 4,053 mm159.6 in −2 mm −0.1 in −0.0% |
| Width | 1,745 mm68.7 in | 1,751 mm68.9 in +6 mm +0.2 in +0.3% |
| Height | 1,430 mm56.3 in | 1,438 mm56.6 in † +8 mm +0.3 in +0.6% |
| Wheelbase | 2,540 mm100.0 in | 2,564 mm100.9 in +24 mm +0.9 in +0.9% |
| Kerb weight | 1,165 kg2,568 lb | 1,145 kg2,524 lb −20 kg −44 lb −1.7% |
| Boot | 309 l10.9 cu ft | 351 l12.4 cu ft +42 l +1.5 cu ft +13.6% |
| Fuel tank | 44 l11.6 gal US | 40 l10.6 gal US −4 l −1.1 gal US −9.1% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Yes |
Difference vs 208 II (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Peugeot 208 | Volkswagen Polo | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | PureTech 100 · petrol · 74 kW (101 PS) | 1.0 TSI 95 · petrol · 70 kW (95 PS) |
| Production years | 2019–present | 2017–present |
| Body | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 74 kW (101 PS) 99 hp Better | 70 kW (95 PS) 94 hp |
| Power, all versions | 55–115 kW (75–156 PS) 74–154 hp | 29–147 kW (39–200 PS) 39–197 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 205 Nm 151 lb-ft | No data |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 9.9 s Better | 10.8 s |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 188 km/h 117 mph | 187 km/h 116 mph |
| Power per tonne | 64 kW/t 77 hp/ton calculated Better | 61 kW/t 74 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Gearbox | manual | No data |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,055 mm 159.6 in | 4,053 mm 159.6 in |
| Width | 1,745 mm 68.7 in | 1,751 mm 68.9 in |
| Height | 1,430 mm 56.3 in | 1,438 mm 56.6 in † |
| Wheelbase | 2,540 mm 100.0 in | 2,564 mm 100.9 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,165 kg 2,568 lb | 1,145 kg 2,524 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 309 l 10.9 cu ft | 351 l 12.4 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 44 l 11.6 gal US Better | 40 l 10.6 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 4.2 l/100 km 56.0 mpg US Better | 4.4 l/100 km 53.5 mpg US |
| CO₂ | 97 g/km Better | 101 g/km |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,100/year estimated Better | €1,160/year estimated |
| Range on a full tank | 1,048 km 651 mi estimated Better | 909 km 565 mi estimated |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★☆ (2019) | ★★★★★ (2022) Better |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (3): Body, Fuel, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Peugeot 208 is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 9.9 s against 10.8 s for Volkswagen Polo. Peugeot 208 is 2 mm longer than Volkswagen Polo (4,055 mm vs 4,053 mm). Volkswagen Polo is lighter by 20 kg (1,145 kg vs 1,165 kg). Volkswagen Polo has the bigger boot: 351 l against 309 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,100 (Peugeot 208), €1,160 (Volkswagen Polo) (estimated). Volkswagen Polo is the older design (from 1975); Peugeot 208 arrived in 2012. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Polo is the pick for family; the Peugeot 208 is the pick for city, long trips, performance and running costs.
Which one to choose
Choose the Peugeot 208 if you want an electric supermini, an automatic with mild-hybrid assistance or the eight-speed Aisin automatic.
Choose the Volkswagen Polo if boot space matters, you want a simple 1.0 TSI with a manual or DSG, or you are looking for a GTI.
Both meet the Renault Clio and the Ford Fiesta in our Peugeot 208 vs Renault Clio and Ford Fiesta vs Volkswagen Polo comparisons.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the bigger boot, the 208 or the Polo?
The Polo, with 351 litres. Our catalogue lists 265 litres for the 208, although the two cars are almost the same length at about 4,055 mm.
Is there an electric Polo?
Not in the sixth generation. The electric alternative of the pair is the e-208, with 115 kW, a 51 kWh battery and 400 km of WLTP range since the 2023 facelift.
Is the Peugeot 208 a hybrid?
Since the 2023 facelift, the automatic PureTech 100 and 130 have a 48-volt hybrid system. The manual PureTech 75 and 100 have none.
Which is safer according to Euro NCAP?
The Polo scored 96% for adult occupants and 76% for vulnerable road users in 2017, against 91% and 56% for the 208 in 2019. The 208 scored higher for children, 86% against 85%.
Which gearboxes are available?
The 208 has five- and six-speed manuals, an eight-speed Aisin automatic and a single-speed drive for the e-208. The Polo has five- and six-speed manuals, a six-speed automatic and a seven-speed DSG.