Peugeot 208 Review - FQ Magazine

The Peugeot 208 boasts superb looks, claw-like LED day-running lights and a large grille, making it stand out from the crowd.

Four trims are offered, with Active Premium, Allure Premium, GT and GT Premium – and it’s the latter, top-of-the-range grade tested here.

It includes 17-inch alloys, Peugeot’s 3D i-Cockpit with head-up display and digital instrument screen, electronic parking brake, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with SatNav, full LED headlights, a diamond black roof, plus Alcantara and cloth upholstery.

The engine under review is a 1.2-litre petrol from Peugeot’s PureTech range, working with an eight-speed automatic, producing 129PS.

With a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds, it’s pretty pacey off the line and should satisfy those who want entertainment but not the outright thrills of a hot hatchback.

The automatic gearbox is okay but is a little hesitant to change down under acceleration.

Ride comfort is impressive and very absorbing, so your back will be well looked after on bumpier roads, and you’ll enjoy a soft, relaxing ride on longer motorway journeys.

If you push the 208 a bit, you’ll get a bit of bouncy wobbliness, but it’s not excessive. Inevitably, this means going quickly around corners isn’t its strong point, despite its sporty looks.

But if you’re after a comfortable, quiet cruiser, it’s more than got you covered.

The cabin is as impressive as the exterior, with futuristic looks, premium materials, and a cockpit-like vibe.

The shirt-button-sized steering wheel is great to hold, and the infotainment system is okay. But integrating the temperature controls into the touchscreen is annoying as they’re challenging to adjust on the move.

There is considerable space in the front, and the rear is fine for two people. However, adults likely won’t want to be in the back for long journeys.

An impressive 311 litres of boot space is offered, expandable by folding away the rear seats in a 60/40 split.

The Peugeot earned a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2019 and comes with blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert and lane-keep assist.

The 208 has risen through the ranks to become a desirable car with exciting looks, a comfortable ride, sound engines, and a nice interior.