Peugeot 208 Hybrid Review

Read Caroline’s Peugeot 208 Hybrid review to find out everything you need to know about buying a Peugeot small hatchback in Ireland.

Peugeot has updated its smallest hatchback and added a new hybrid to the 208 range, in line with the current market trend for small hybrid cars.

First launched in 2020, the current 208 still fits the bill for a stylish small hatchback and offers a range of power options, from all-electric to simple petrol and now a new hybrid.

The new 208 Hybrid with automatic transmission retails for €30,495. That’s a lot of money for a small car, but is the 208 still a cut above the rest?

Let’s take a closer look!

design

The 208 is a handsome little car and even though the current model 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 such as the 2008 and 3008. The fang-shaped daytime running lights have been replaced by a new “three-claw” design, and the 208 also wears the brand’s new Lion Shield logo. first.

At the back, the taillights have a slightly different lighting signature, but otherwise it’s business as usual. Peugeot has also launched a new color called ‘Agueda Yellow’, which the 208 embodies perfectly. It’s also available in standard colors at no extra cost.

As before, there are a few trim lines to choose from: Active, Allure and GT. The Allure is really the sweet spot in the range, with 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and body-coloured front grille detailing. LED headlights are standard across the range. All versions come with contrasting black door mirror caps.

Peugeot 208 interior

The 208’s interior has the luxurious, premium feel of a small car. The i-Cockpit design remains very stylish, with a wraparound, driver-focused feel. All versions now feature a 10-inch touchscreen with convenient wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a new digital instrument cluster on Allure models with updated graphics and a number of different views.

Other features include automatic climate control and a reversing camera. GT models add wireless smartphone charging, while other models charge via a USB port. No models in the range come with heated seats as standard, but these are available as part of a package that also adds more premium seats.

The 208 is fairly small for its dimensions, but I was able to sit comfortably behind the driver’s seat that was set up for me. Taller adults may find it a little tight, but kids will be fine, and there are Isofix child seat anchors on the two outboard seats. Hybrid and petrol models have a decent 352-litre boot. Choose the E-208 and the capacity can be reduced to 309 liters. The rear seats can also be folded in a 60:40 split.

Driving 208

Driving the Peugeot 208 on the road is fun and dynamic. It has good suspension and is one of the most comfortable and refined small cars on sale. It’s never too noisy on the highway and is still very comfortable by small car standards. The car has a real sense of quality that puts it at the top of the segment like the Volkswagen Polo.

There are also a variety of powertrain options. The range started with a simple 75bhp 1.2 petrol engine and a five-speed manual gearbox. The same engine is available with 100 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission.

The E-208 is an excellent small electric car, now equipped with a new 54kWh battery, giving it a range of approximately 400 kilometers.

If you’re looking for a gasoline automatic, there’s now a new 1.2-liter hybrid with 100 horsepower. It’s paired with an electric 6-speed automatic transmission that includes an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery that charges while driving and provides extra torque at low revs, and consumes less fuel overall than standard gasoline.

It feels very powerful and responsive at speed, but in stop/start traffic, the transition between the engine and electric motor that powers the car can make smooth driving difficult. There are several driving modes such as Normal, Sport and Eco that slightly adjust the drive. There are also paddles behind the steering wheel.

For such a lively engine, it’s remarkably efficient. It has a lower carbon footprint and can run on electric power alone up to 50% of the time in town and city driving. After more than a week of driving, my average fuel consumption was 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers.

Driving aids include cruise control and traffic sign recognition, while Allure adds convenient blind-spot monitoring for safer highway driving.

Peugeot 208 Pricing

Prices for the Active version of the 208 series start at €26,195 for the 1.2 petrol 75bhp. The 100 hp version in Allure trim comes with more equipment and retails for €28,995. Prices for the new 208 Hybrid start at 30,495 euros, while the E-208 starts at 31,790 euros.

judgment

The Peugeot 208 remains the star of the small car world, offering fun yet the comfort and quality of a large car. When it comes to powertrains, there are now more options than ever. The hybrid can post some very good efficiency figures, but the petrol manual makes the price more reasonable, so it really depends on how much you want to spend. It was a very desirable small car and remains one of the best.

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Screenplay by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Irish Car of the Year Judge

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