Kentish Express Ashford & District
Winning tweak?
Takes out Peugeot’s updated 208 supermini. The French firm has tweaked the car’s exterior, added some welcome extra kit and refreshed its engine line-up.
The 208 is a big deal for Peugeot. As superminis go the small car sells well and is a popular, economical car to own. It’s not alone in the market, however, and this refresh has been designed to boost the car’s appeal, its green credentials and take the fight to the likes of the Mini and Citroen’s DS3.
The car has benefited from a modest nose and tail refresh, while all bar the base model gain a colour touchscreen giving access to the main entertainment, navigation and ventilation features.
Looks and image
Looks are everything in the increasingly competitive supermini market. Following the trend for personalisation and the desire to focus harder on younger buyers, the freshened-up 208 certainly looks the part and can be bought with a few choice extras in a bid to differentiate it from the next one.
Space and practicality
With Peugeot’s refresh of the 208 focusing on exterior design and updated engines, the car’s cabin remains essentially unchanged.
In three-door guise the car offers a good balance of space and practicality if you don’t plan on using the rear seats much, with the five-door car that bit more versatile and a better choice as a starter family car.
Folding rear seats, generous oddment storage and a city parking space-friendly footprint complete the 208’s talents.
Behind the wheel
Peugeot’s reputation for delivering engaging cars remains intact with the 208.
At a basic level the car feels more agile and willing than many rivals, and the decision to fit a smaller steering wheel goes some way to tricking you into thinking you’re driving a racing car not a supermini.
All engines are EU6 rated, while a sub 80g/km CO2 diesel has been introduced alongside a new three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol motor.
Value for money
The 208 has always been an appealing and financially sound choice, and this has been made more so with the inclusion of enhanced personalisation options, the range-wide EU6 engine update and the new low CO2 diesel variant.
The general uplift in standard kit is also welcome, and reduces the temptation to browse the cost options list.
Who would buy one?
Peugeot’s 208 is most definitely not a Mini, and for many people that’s reason enough to consider the compact French hatch.
If you’re not a fan of BMW’s finest then the 208 offers a comparable experience from behind the wheel, ensuring keen drivers can enjoy themselves.
For everyone else, the 208’s bold looks, accommodating cabin and affordable ownership proposition position it high up within the supermini sector.