Peugeot 208 shouldn't be overlooked
As you can see the Peugeot 208 is a hatchback and that puts it in a very competitive segment. With popular players like the Volkswagen Polo which seems to top the sales charts on a monthly basis the little Frenchie has its work cut out for it. Here are things that we particularly like about the little car and why you should consider it.
The design is eye-catching and full of little styling elements that add to the overall visual appeal. Upfront are a set of fangs, well actually they are LED lights that run down the front bumper. The grille is large and gives a sporty appearance which I like. The rear is equally as interesting as it features unique LED tail lights that resemble the claws of the Peugeot lion. I also like the fact that the rear lights are connected. This gives the rear a particularly good visual design in my opinion.
The interior is equally as impressive and features a large 7.0-inch infotainment screen which, as you would expect, offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is also angled towards the driver which when combined with the new ‘3D i-Cockpit’ digital instrument cluster creates a unique driving experience, well it would if the steering wheel didn’t get in the way…
The steering wheel is a lot smaller than on other cars, this might make it easier to handle but due to this, we couldn't see the instrument cluster. So it’s a case of having the steering wheel on your lap or just guessing what speed you are going but we struggled to find a happy medium for a comfortable steering position and the ability to see the dials. Must be a Peugeot thing.
Anyways, the front half of the cabin is actually really nice. The seats are comfortable and supportive, the control buttons resemble toggle switches and the plastics are decent. Unfortunately, rear legroom is slightly limited however the luggage area is around 311-litres which is not bad.
Under the bonnet of this Allure model is a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder motor that in 6-speed manual guise develops 74kW and 205Nm of torque. The motor pulls well and the car seems eager to dispense all of that power. The ride is good and even fun at times. We enjoyed our time with the car, just a pity about that rear legroom which does reduce its practicality somewhat.
Overall the Peugeot 208 is a decent little thing, it’s good to look at, fun to drive, and offers decent safety and spec. After spending a week with it we tend to think that it can hold its own against the ever-popular Polo and even the updated Renault Clio. The Peugeot should be on your list when shopping within this segment.
