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The refreshed, French supermini turns on the style with a new look, but how much substance lies behind it?

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The Peugeot 208 was Europe’s biggest seller in 2021 and 2022 - no small feat, it must be said.

Admittedly, it dropped to fifth last year with the top spot taken by Tesla Model Y and its Renault Clio arch rival beating it to fourth. But still, it’s clearly a well-liked car - and Peugeot will be hoping to build on its success with this facelifted model, launched late last year. 

Even with the longstanding top dog, the Ford Fiesta, departed and small cars generally becoming harder to justify in the boardroom, the 208 still has its work cut out. As well as the Clio, the Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20 show that this remains a competitive field.

Range at a glance

This mid-life refresh includes introducing 48V mild-hybrid models with 99bhp and 134bhp. A conventional turbo petrol, making 99bhp, and the electric e-208 remain too.

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DESIGN & STYLING

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peugeot 208 2024 03 static design

Peugeot’s styling in recent years has been some of the best in the business, and this refreshed 208 builds on the current-generation supermini's good looks. 

The front light signature of three vertical light 'claws' was already present on the 208, echoing the rest of the line-up. On this latest version, the LEDs have moved down from the headlight and into the bumper. On the range-topping GT version, as tested here, the three light claws extend into the LED headlights.

The other, perhaps more obvious, changes are the new Peugeot logo (in the same spot as before), sitting on a front grille that now incorporates the car’s body colour and extends into the bumper.

The change is even subtler at the rear: the once vertical three red claw lights are now - drum roll, please - horizontal. They extend across the black strip around the boot lid, which Peugeot says is intended to give “a perception of greater width”.

There are seven paint colours, including a bright yellow and Selenium Grey, and while all models get gloss black door mirrors, this GT also receives gloss black wheel arches.

Last but not least are new alloy wheels designed inspired by the larger Peugeot 408. The Allure trim now has 16in diamond-cut two-tone wheels, while this GT is furnished with the 17in equivalents – both good-looking metal.

 

INTERIOR

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peugeot 208 2024 04 interior

The interior and equipment levels in the GT model are hard to fault and it feels top-notch in quality, bar the odd questionable plastic low down, especially for a car of this class.

On first entry to the car, the set-up all feels intuitive, as it should be. The layout is aesthetically pleasing, the 10in infotainment touchscreen seems ample and there are toggle switches below it for some of the key functions. And there’s a ‘home’ button to get back to a main starter screen, which is something simple but much needed and missing in some cars today.

The inability to change interior temperatures anywhere other than the touchscreen grates, but this has been the case in Peugeots for some time now.

There's Apple CarPlay - which took a little longer than expected to connect to - and Android Auto mirroring, USB-C ports in the front and USB-C and USB-A ports in the rear, wireless smartphone charging, parking sensors, a rear-view camera and much more.

This tester has long struggled with driver position in Peugeots, which means not being able to fully see the instrument panel when having the steering wheel situated appropriately. Whether it suits you is a personal thing. 

Despite its supermini status, the 208 has sufficient space in the front even for tall drivers, although rivals such as the Polo do offer more head room. 

The same is true in the rear: taller passengers have just about enough head and leg room, although the relatively narrow door apertures means ingress and egress aren’t the most effortless. 

There’s also a respectable 311-litre boot – slightly less than in the Polo or Seat Ibiza but still viable for most scenarios. The design of the boot means it has a narrower opening than some, so pack smaller bags because large items might prove a struggle.  

ENGINES & PERFORMANCE

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peugeot 208 2024 02 rear tracking

Peugeot says the introduction of the 48V integrated starter-generator (ISG) means extra torque at low revs and up to 15% lower fuel consumption, as well as the ability to operate in electric mode for half the time in urban situations.

For the 136bhp 'hybrid' we tested, claimed fuel economy is up to 65.0mpg – about 10bhp more than you can expect from the pure-petrol model. 

It’s easy to like this top mild-hybrid 208 behind the wheel. With the ISG giving extra grunt low down the revs, 136bhp and light weight on your side, this is a nippy little car, quickly showing its ability to hit 0-62mph in 8.1sec.

It could also be better insulated from both the ISG, whose whirring is notably louder than most, and the engine at higher speeds.

Meanwhile, the 1.2-litre turbo triple is polite, burbling gently at idle, pulling cleanly and operating in barely audible fashion at cruising speeds, despite the fact that wind noise isn’t something from which the 208 obviously suffers.

RIDE & HANDLING

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peugeot 208 2024 08 front tracking

Some winding Oxfordshire roads exhibited the 136bhp 208’s pleasant handling, demonstrating how obediently it goes where you point it, gripping encouragingly and stays appropriately flat around corners.

The Ibiza is more alert in its handling, but the benign Peugeot never springs any irksome surprises.

The steering is enjoyable, too. There are times when the newfound weight in that direct steering (still slightly elastic off-centre and still light) and the free-moving rear axle can make for entertaining progress. Peugeot’s unique small steering wheel, which has never been fully convincing, suits this car’s disposition.

On smoother roads, the new chassis, with its torsion-beam rear and passive suspension, rides mainly with impressive ease, although rougher UK B-roads cause some small issue – as did our testing on bumpy urban terrain.

The smaller wheels of a lower-spec model than the GT are likely to be preferable.

 

VERDICT

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peugeot 208 2024 10 rear static

The 208 is undoubtedly a compelling supermini. Excellent looks, a premium finish, high equipment levels and good, easy fun behind the wheel all make this one to consider.

That said, such is this cut-throat class that there’s plenty we rank above it, including the Clio, Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and i20.

Nonetheless, if you fancy the 208 (which would be no bad choice), it’s worth investigating both the most powerful 1.2-litre petrol as well as the upper mild-hybrid.

Richard Lane

Richard Lane
Title: Deputy road test editor

Richard joined Autocar in 2017 and like all road testers is typically found either behind a keyboard or steering wheel (or, these days, a yoke).

As deputy road test editor he delivers in-depth road tests and performance benchmarking, plus feature-length comparison stories between rival cars. He can also be found presenting on Autocar's YouTube channel.

Mostly interested in how cars feel on the road – the sensations and emotions they can evoke – Richard drives around 150 newly launched makes and models every year. His job is then to put the reader firmly in the driver's seat. 

Peugeot 208 First drives