Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 Peugeot 208 Allure Hybrid 100 e-DSC6
Price: 208 Hybrid from £23,310 (£25,910 as tested)
Engine: 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol with electric motor
Transmission: six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 101hp
Torque: 205Nm
Emissions: 96-116g/km
Economy: 54.9-65.9mpg
0-62mph: 9.8 seconds
Top speed: 118mph
Boot space: 309-1,163 litres
Styling
On the face of it, the petrol, hybrid and electric 208 models all look much the same from the outside. There's that new grille design, designed to make it look as though the engine is trying to burst out of the nose, and there are three-fang lights at the front. It's a cool new design, building on already attractive foundations. Whether it's an improvement is a question of taste, but it's certainly one of the most interesting, attractive and distinctive small hatchbacks on the market.
Interior
As with the exterior, the 208 Hybrid looks much the same as any other 208, and that includes the previous-generation car. The cabin hasn’t changed very much, so you still get the same basic design with the tiny steering wheel and the high-set dials, which is something of an acquired taste.
But while that may divide opinion, the quality on show will not. Of course, there’s some evidence of penny pinching on display — that’s par for the course in smaller cars with tight profit margins — but though the odd piece of plastic feels a tad cheap, most feel relatively tactile and they’re all well screwed together. Even the switchgear feels robust.
Unfortunately, while that is all positive for the 208, the on-board technology isn’t such a strength for the car. The touchscreen might be big, but it’s far from the most responsive system on the market, and that, combined with lots of functions that are hidden in hard-to-access menus, makes it arguably the biggest weak spot of the whole car.
That said, the digital instrument cluster is more of a strength, and the way the system integrates with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone technology at least means it’s a minor weakness.
Practicality
Though the 208 is stylish, it isn't necessarily the most practical car on the market. Space in the front is very good, but the driving position is quite awkward, and rear space is a bit cramped for adults. Of course, there are very few cars in this class that offer palatial rear cabin space, but the 208 is no better than the class average. And the same goes for the boot, which measures 309 litres with all five seats upright. That compares favourably with the now sadly deceased Ford Fiesta, but it's less impressive alongside the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia, the latter of which provides another 70 litres of luggage capacity.
Performance
Like so many other Peugeot 208s — and indeed so many other Peugeots — the 208 Hybrid’s powertrain is based on the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder PureTech petrol engine. It’s a really good little engine with little in the way of vibration and a chirpy note, and the hybrid system helps it to push out 101hp.
That doesn’t sound like much, but it’s more than enough to keep pace with traffic, and the 208 feels perkier than the 9.8-second 0-62mph time might suggest. It also uses its electric motor more than you might expect, although the smoothness of the engine means it isn’t always immediately obvious which motor is doing the hard work. The main clue is the colour of the numbers on the speedo — blue means the electric motor is running, and white means you’re running on unleaded.
As a result, the 208 Hybrid is fast enough, but it’s also very economical. You can get more than 60 miles to the gallon on the official economy test, and though you might not achieve that on a long run, you can average well over 50mpg without too much trouble.
The slight price you pay for all this goodness is the six-speed automatic gearbox, which is a bit reluctant at times. It’s fine once you’re up and running, but it stutters around town a little, and it sometimes feels at odds with the hybrid system. It’s a shame, in a system that otherwise feels well rounded and complete.
Ride & Handling
The 208 has long been one of the most appealing superminis to drive, and the new-generation car continues that tradition. Peugeot is keen to sell this car as something of a go-kart — hence the tiny steering wheel, apparently — and though it isn’t quite that lively, it’s one of the few small hatchbacks to hold a candle to the Fiesta and the Renault Clio.
It’s nimble and agile, and though there is a bit of body roll, grip is plentiful. It’s true that the steering wheel is a bit too light for our taste, but the response is pretty sharp and you can have quite a bit of fun on the right road. Perhaps more importantly, it feels compact and manoeuvrable in town.
It’s also surprisingly comfortable. Despite the manoeuvrability, the ride is pretty soft and supple, particularly at speed, and the 208 makes a remarkably comfortable motorway cruiser despite its size. Sure, it rides a little more heavily around town, but it’s still more pliant than most cars in its class.
Value
The hybrid 208 comes in at £23,310, making it just under £3,000 more expensive than the basic 75hp petrol 208. It also means the 208 is very slightly more expensive than the Toyota Yaris, but only very slightly. And with climate control, rear parking sensors and the touchscreen infotainment system all thrown in, even the basic Active model isn’t terribly equipped.
However, most customers would probably prefer the mid-range Allure version tested here, which comes with posh alloys, a digital instrument display and front parking sensors, as well as a few other upgrades, all for an extra £1,650. Or you can have the range-topping GT model, with a reversing camera, bigger alloys and keyless start, as well as sporty styling, for another £4,000. For our money, though, the Allure represents the best value – especially if you can add a handful of choice options.
Verdict
The hybrid system isn't perfect in the 208, and we suspect customers content with a manual gearbox would be a little happier with pure petrol power, but while it feels clunky at times, there's no arguing with its efficiency. At its best, it's a useful addition to the 208 line-up, and even at its worst, the hybrid system can't detract from what is a funky, fun-to-drive hatchback that's worthy of its place among the best in the business.
