Peugeot 208 - LOVE AND EIGHT

BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A PEUGEOT 208 FROM OSV: bit.ly/3gBvuc8
Peugeot's 208 supermini has been rejuvenated in second generation form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
Peugeot says that with this second generation 208, it wanted to create 'the sexiest small hatch in the purest way'. Certainly, no effort's been spared here: there's a new platform, a fresh look and a completely redesigned interior, all of it targeting what the brand hopes will be a younger buyer. There's an all-electric version too.
Background
What exactly should a supermini be? Affordable? Economical? Practical? All these things are important of course, but if you're a car maker and that's all you create to sell in this segment, then you'd better be prepared to sell it very cheaply. Even in this humble category you see, buyers are now expecting more in terms of style, innovation and technology. In fact, they're expecting something more like this, Peugeot's MK2 model 208.
This, the latest in Peugeot's long running line of 'two zero' cars could hardly be more important for the French brand. It switches the company's supermini on to a properly modern chassis, the CMP platform for B and C segment cars that's shared with the DS 3 Crossback and the new Vauxhall Corsa. Crucially, this can support both fossil-fuelled engines and all-electric powertrains - and does in this case. As a result, Peugeot reckons it has an answer in this car no matter what the target customer is looking for. Perhaps.
Driving Experience
Engine-wise, there are three petrol units and a single diesel to choose from. If you know the Peugeot brand, you might not be too surprised to hear that the available petrol units are all 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech powerplants, in this case developing either 75, 100 or 130hp. The 100hp unit is optionally available with an 8-speed EAT8 auto gearbox. The 130hp engine gets the auto 'box included. We've not previously seen an automatic with 8-speeds in the supermini sector. The diesel is the company's usual 1.5-litre BlueHDi engine with 100hp. As for the all-electric e-208 version, well just one variant of that will be available featuring a 50kWh battery mated to a 100kW electric motor, this confection developing a healthy 134hp.
Of course, as you'd expect in a modern supermini, you can get all the usual driver assistance features. things like lane keep assist to stop you from drifting out of your lane, with subtle steering intervention to ease you back to where you ought to be. And an autonomous parking system which is capable of automatically controlling acceleration, braking and steering when entering or leaving a parking space. there's also a traffic sign recognition system that can work with the integrated speed limiter and make sure that you never exceed the stated limit of the road you're on.
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[@GeordiLaForgery]

As someone who'd never consider a peugeot before, I really like this car. Great review.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thank you Geordi, glad you found this review helpful 👍

[@DonDixit]

2.35: "The Fiesta this, the Polo that". But its the classy Clio that rules the segment. Bestselling B-segment car in Europe since WW2

[@ScottZ370]

In the right colour these looks straight out of a Concept show, saw a blue one and thought made me second guess if they were even for sale yet

[@russellnowak3941]

Wow, such cool styling for a hatchback. Nice!!

[@peterclarke3990]

Well, this was never filmed in the Uk. I never saw one pot hole! I’ve just bought a 1.6 hdi 208. Extremely nippy, economical and comfortable to drive. Great super mini and equally great review. He’s certainly done his homework on this one!

[@forza223bowe5]

Looks very modern, compared to other supermini offerings

[@MegaMinihulk]

amazing car for 16k not for all but still nice to have something different. Great review as well.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Dr Love nice to have something different ? Its a Peugeot, theres thousands and thousands on the roads. Awful cars.

[@lucaparker1084]

Looks great in black

[@garywarriner3335]

I’ve had a e-208 for 3 months now. It’s fantastic, nippy and great to drive. Charging is easy at home and even the public chargers are plenty. So cheap to run. I will never go back to petrol/diesel.

[@marklola12]

Lucky you, where i live there are a handful dotted around most are useless 3kw ones, even our big shopping centre in town does not have any

[@trellmos9362]

Have you gone back to combustion yet?

[@Poborsky-fx1wo]

This was a top quality review. Thank you

[@marklola12]

Shame you did not get the GT version to review, most others did. the inside all around ambient lighting looks great at night and the frameless rearview mirror looks way better and less bulky

[@stenmartens7179]

I've been searching through the video; is there some segment about the auto gearbox option in the 208? I couldn't find it but I don't know if I missed it since its so comprehensive

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi Sten, we touch on the auto gearbox briefly during the 'Driving Experience' segment (3:32) and more extensively in the 'Market and Model' section (31:36). We hope this helps 👍

[@DonDixit]

Too bad the test doesn't show the higher spec model. Wider wheel arches / fatter tires give the 208 an edge.

[@rjdavies1982]

My partner is going to pick up one of these on a lease deal in a couple of weeks - allure premium 130 bhp in auto. She has a knee issue making manuals a bit tricky. I'm hoping it feels peppy for the occasional time I'll take it out. One thing that I wasn't completely clear on, given it's a premium does that include the screen upgrade you mentioned? I realise it's on a 73 plate and looks to be the last of the pre-facelift cars although brand new - I think they've dropped the allure premium option now

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Exciting news about the new car! The Peugeot 208 Allure Premium is a great choice, especially with the 130 bhp engine and automatic transmission, which should be ideal for your partner's needs. Regarding the screen upgrade, the Allure Premium trim typically includes a 10-inch touchscreen as part of the package, but it's always a good idea to confirm the specific features with your dealer, especially since there might be variations depending on the exact model year and any updates Peugeot might have made. Enjoy the new car 👍

[@rjdavies1982]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupplythanks for you helpful reply! Also, I very much enjoy your reviews - they must be the most thorough and in-depth on KZbin, fantastic work!

[@WesNG]

Marvelous test. Of all the new superminis I'd choose the Clio though, it's just the best all-rounder. Having said that, I like the new Corsa's looks the most.

[@marklola12]

I never understand why automatic versions of cars are alot more expensive, id love one but not willing to pay the extra

[@jgreen8339]

Because it is a more complicated piece of engineering and sold in fewer numbers. Paying for more parts and complexity without the economies of scale.

[@marklola12]

Who would prefer a manual parking break? not many

[@marklola12]

Black is the worst colour for this car it just makes it look like a normal black car...the parts that stand out in the other colours do not in this

[@livc444111]

I like your reviews but everyone knows that this new generation of VW products are not all that when it comes to quality and the cabins have lots of cheap plastics, please be more honest next time.

[@blarkdexture8899]

Perfect clip for falling asleep.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi there, sorry that you didn't enjoy this review. We're uploading a shorter 7-10 minute version on Wednesday if you'd prefer to watch that.

[@blarkdexture8899]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply I did enjoy it.

[@magnuspersson1433]

Only 4 stars in Euro Ncap.

[@livc444111]

Its still a safe car. Four stars because not all models are equipped with head restraints in the middle rear

[@forza223bowe5]

Oli44411 Still that’s disappointing for such a new car

[@oddities-whatnot]

Style over substance. I cannot stand fashion cars, and thats all this is.

[@TG-pd3ft]

Very plain looking from the side. Boxy and dull.