Read Caroline’s Peugeot 208 Hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying Peugeot’s small hatchback in Ireland.
Peugeot has updated its smallest hatchback and added a new hybrid to the 208 range in keeping with current market trends for small hybrid cars.
First launched back in 2020, the current 208 still ticks the desirability box for a stylish small hatchback and offers a good range of power options, from full electric to simple petrol and now a new hybrid.
Paired with an automatic transmission, the new 208 hybrid retails from €30,495. It’s a considerable spend on a small car but is the 208 still just a cut above the rest?
Let’s take a closer look!
Design
The 208 is a good-looking small car and though the current one has been on Irish roads since 2020, it still looks fresh and modern. The facelift brings the 208 in line with other models in the range like the 2008 and 3008. The fang-like daytime running lights have been replaced by a new ‘tri-claw’ design and the 208 also wears the brand’s new lion shield logo for the very first time.
At the back, the rear lights have a slightly different light signature but otherwise it’s business as usual. Peugeot has also introduced a brand new colour called Agueda Yellow and the 208 pulls it off perfectly. It’s also the standard colour available at no extra cost.
Like before there are a few trim lines on offer: Active, Allure and GT. Allure really is the sweet spot of the range with 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels and a body-coloured finish to the detail of the front grille. LED headlamps are standard across the range. All versions get contrasting black wing mirror caps.
Peugeot 208 Interior
Inside the 208 feels posh and premium for a small car. The i-Cockpit design is still incredibly stylish with a wraparound, driver-focused feel. All versions now get the 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, which is very convenient. There’s also a new digital instrument panel with updated graphics on the Allure model and a number of different views possible.
Other features include automatic climate control and a reversing camera. GT models add wireless smartphone charging, otherwise charging is via a USB port. No model in the range comes as standard with heated seats but these are available as part of a pack that also adds fancier seats.
The 208 has quite dinky dimensions but I was able to sit comfortably in the back behind the driver’s seat set for me. Taller adults may find it a little tighter but children will be fine and there’s Isofix child seat fixtures on the two outer seats. There’s a decent 352 litre boot in the hybrid and petrol models. Opt for the E-208 and that shrinks to 309 litres. The rear seats can also split fold 60:40.
Driving the 208
On the road the Peugeot 208 feels fun and lively to drive. It has a well-sussed suspension and is one of the most comfortable and refined small cars on sale. On the motorway it never gets too noisy and is still very comfortable by small car standards. There’s a real feeling of quality to this car that puts it near the top of the segment with the likes of a Volkswagen Polo.
There’s also a great choice of powertrains. The range kicks off with a simple 1.2 petrol with 75hp and a five speed manual gearbox. The same engine is available with 100hp and a six speed manual.
The E-208 is a great small electric car and now has a new 54kWh battery that puts the range in the region of 400 kilometres.
If you’re looking for a petrol automatic, there’s now the new 1.2-litre hybrid with 100hp. It comes with an electrified 6-speed automatic, which includes an electric motor and a small lithium ion battery that can recharge while driving and offers extra torque at low revs and lower fuel consumption overall than the standard petrol.
It feels very punchy and responsive at speed, however in stop/start traffic the transitions between the engine and electric motor powering the car can make it difficult to drive smoothly. There are a few driving modes like normal, sport and eco to adjust the drive somewhat. There are also paddles behind the steering wheel.
For such a lively engine, it is efficient however. It has lower carbon emissions and can run on electric power alone for up to 50% of the time in town and city driving. Over a week of driving, my average fuel consumption was 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres.
Driving aids include cruise control and traffic sign recognition, while the Allure adds handy blind spot monitoring for safer motorway driving.
Peugeot 208 Pricing
The 208 range kicks off from €26,195 for the 1.2 petrol 75hp in Active trim. The 100hp version comes in the Allure trim with more equipment and retails from €28,995. The new 208 Hybrid is available from €30,495 and the E-208 from €31,790.
Verdict
The Peugeot 208 is still a star buy in the small car world and manages to be fun but with the comfort and quality of a larger car. There’s now a greater choice than ever when it comes to powertrains. The hybrid can post some very good efficiency figures but the petrol manual keeps the price more reasonable so it really depends on how much you want to spend. It’s a very desirable small car and still among the best out there.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
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