‘Lively’ – that’s the one word I gave to people last week when they asked me what the new Peugeot 208 was like. Of course it’s much more than ‘lively,’ but from the moment I sat into this new version of the 208 it just felt so responsive.
Peugeot introduced the 208 in 2012 when it replaced their 207 and this is the second generation of the super-mini with the famous Lion logo.
It’s really attractive and I will comment first on the rear end which is very stylish. When you want to open the boot, the release button is very high up on the door, so you don’t get your fingers dirty, as happens with a lot of cars in winter time.
Externally this is a very attractive looking motor. When you sit in, the small steering wheel is the first item that grabs your attention. In the past in some Peugeot cars the steering wheel tended to obscure some of the displays on the dash – but no problem in that regard with the 208.
The dash, which is influenced by the larger Peugeot 3008, is well laid out and you have the now familiar for Peugeot, ‘piano-style’ cluster of controls just below the infotainment screen.
A lot of new car now have ‘C’ type USB’s, but Peugeot has a B and a C USB which saves a lot of problem for phone connections.
My test car came in Cumulus Grey, not the most dynamic colour, but one that Peugeot has often used in the past. It’s certainly not as attractive as the Faro Yellow version that I have seen. But of course colour is all down to personal choice.
The 208 was voted European Car of the Year in 2020, but here in Ireland Covid-19 has messed up many things including our annual awards. It’s a beauty and no doubt will in due course pick up a few awards in Ireland also.
I drove the petrol version, but the 208 is also available in diesel and electric, the e208. The 208 is the first Peugeot car that has the same spec in petrol, diesel and electric
In the back seat there is plenty of room for two adults, three at a squeeze. And the back seat passengers can also charge their mobile phones with two USB’s available.
The boot is a decent size and while very few new cars now carry a spare wheel, Peugeot know what Irish customers like and there is a spare in the 208.
My only complaint was that the interior was very dark – seats, dash, roof-liner, all black. However, my GT version did had a green-stitching effect on the seats, doors and dash, which helped to brighter the décor just a little.
Prices for the 208 start at €21,570 for the 1.2-litre petrol, while my test model was the 1.2-litre GT version which will cost you €26,980. Road tax is €190 and it has a really frugal engine.
The 208 is lively and very stylish and would I think be an ideal car for a young person taking their first step in what is becoming an expensive motoring ladder. But then as the old saying goes, the only thing coming down is the rain.
