Passenger Space and Boot Capacity
The Peugeot 208's practicality and space usage shows both hits and misses, which you might expect from a supermini that puts style and driving experience ahead of pure functionality.
Front and Rear Seat Comfort
The 208 gives drivers enough space regardless of their height, though taller people might find the headroom a bit tight compared to a Volkswagen Polo. Every model comes with height-adjustable driver's seats and steering wheels that move both up and down and in and out. These features help you find the perfect position with the unique i-Cockpit layout.
Front passengers get plenty of storage options. The car has large door bins, handy trays, and cup holders with a spacious glovebox. You'll find a big cubby under the central armrest that's perfect for phones or wallets, plus there's a clever flip-down ledge just for smartphones.
The back seats feel comfortable enough for this class of car. The front seats have plastic-backed cutouts that give more knee space, though they're not great to lean against. While the seats offer good support, UK models have a smaller glovebox because Peugeot keeps the fusebox in the same spot for right-hand drive cars.
Rear Legroom and Headroom
Getting into the back proves tricky through the narrow door openings - adults will need to squeeze through. This becomes a real hassle if you have child seats to deal with.
Two adults can sit in the back with just enough space for their heads and legs, though taller folks will likely touch the seats in front. Head space works fine for anyone under six feet, but the optional Cielo glass roof takes away some of that room. The middle seat feels cramped due to the seat shape, so three people across works only for short trips.
Boot Size and Loading Practicality
The 208's boot holds 311 litres (or 352 litres according to some sources). This beats the Ford Fiesta but falls short of the Skoda Fabia's 380 litres. You can fit five carry-on suitcases under the parcel shelf - matching both the Audi A1 and Renault Clio.
Loading stuff comes with two main challenges. A high lip means you need to lift things rather than slide them in, and the opening feels narrower than most rivals, which makes it hard to load bigger items. Unlike the Skoda Fabia, you can't add an adjustable boot floor to fix these issues.
The rear seats split 60:40 and fold down to create 1,163 litres of space. This setup lacks the flexibility of the 40:20:40 split you get in more premium cars.
Safety Features and Euro NCAP Rating
The Peugeot 208 packs impressive safety features that you'd expect in a modern supermini. While it doesn't quite lead its class, this car offers strong protective features that keep you safe on the road.
Standard Driver Assistance Systems
The 208 comes with several safety technologies right out of the box. Tests show its simple automatic emergency braking system works well against other cars at city driving speeds. The system helps avoid collisions or reduces their impact in all test scenarios. Each model includes traffic-sign recognition to keep you within speed limits and a driver attention alert system that watches for tiredness. You'll also find lane-keeping assistance with road edge detection across all models, which helps you stay in your lane.
Advanced Safety Tech on GT Trim
The GT trim takes the 208's safety features to the next level. This premium version adds a better automatic emergency braking system that works well in the dark and spots both cyclists and pedestrians. You'll only find active blind spot monitoring on this trim - a vital feature that warns you about vehicles hiding in those tricky-to-see spots. The GT models also get an exclusive lane positioning system, which improves upon the standard lane-keeping assistance.
Crash Test Results and Comparisons
The 208 scored four out of five stars in Euro NCAP's tough testing programme back in 2019. This score shows the car is safe, though not exceptional. Here's how it performed in different areas:
- Adult occupant protection: 91%
- Child occupant protection: 86%
- Safety assist technologies: 71%
- Vulnerable road user protection: 56%
The lower score in protecting people outside the vehicle kept the 208 from getting all five stars. Testers also pointed out issues with "poor whiplash protection for rear passengers". The Renault Clio, one of its main competitors, managed to grab all five stars during the same testing period.
Running Costs, Insurance and Warranty
Owning a Peugeot 208 costs more than just the price you pay at the dealership. Your running costs will change by a lot based on the engine type you choose.
Fuel Economy and CO2 Emissions
The 1.2 PureTech 100 petrol engine delivers great efficiency at 47.9mpg in real-life testing. This beats similar engines found in the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo. Lab tests show it can reach 58.2mpg, though these numbers usually turn out higher than what drivers get on the road.
The Hybrid 100 takes efficiency even further with 65.9mpg and CO2 emissions of just 101g/km. You'll use about 15% less fuel compared to regular petrol models. City driving shows even better results with 30% savings. Your car can run on electric power for more than half the time in urban areas.
Even the sportier Hybrid 136 stays efficient while packing more power. It manages 60.1mpg and puts out 104g/km of CO2.
Insurance Grouping and Tax
Insurance won't break the bank since Peugeot 208 models sit between groups 5 and 26. A 30-year-old driver might pay £498 yearly for a group 5 car or £640 for a group 10 model. Where you live makes a big difference - that same driver could pay £942 in central London but only £652 in Galashiels.
Road tax for 2025 petrol models costs £195 each year. First-year rates range from £620 for petrol cars to just £10 for electric versions.
Warranty Coverage and Reliability
Peugeot's standard three-year warranty gives you unlimited mileage for two years, then caps at 60,000 miles in year three. This package has:
- Free repair or replacement of defective parts
- Two-year paintwork warranty
- 12-year perforation (corrosion) warranty for the bodywork
Electric E-208 owners get extra protection through the Allure Care programme. This could extend your coverage to eight years if you stick with dealer servicing. The traction battery comes with its own eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The 208 proved its worth in the 2024 Driver Power survey, landing sixth place out of 50 models. Drivers loved its ride, handling and running costs. The Peugeot brand itself ranked sixth among 32 manufacturers.
Conclusion
The Peugeot 208 emerges as a compelling option in the supermini segment for 2025. It strikes an impressive balance between style, efficiency, and technology in an attractive package. Without doubt, its best features include a diverse powertrain lineup that meets almost every buyer's needs while delivering excellent efficiency figures. The hybrid variants achieve up to 65.9mpg, which is remarkable. This French hatchback stands out from its competitors with its distinctive i-Cockpit interior design that offers a premium feel at a reasonable price point.
The 208 comes with some trade-offs. The boot space doesn't match class leaders like the Skoda Fabia. Rear passenger space is just adequate, not generous. Safety credentials are slightly behind some rivals with its four-star Euro NCAP rating.
These limitations fade against its many strengths. Long trips become more enjoyable thanks to its supple ride quality. The updated technology package gives users smooth connectivity with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. Reliability looks promising too - the 208 ranked sixth out of 50 models in the 2024 Driver Power survey.
The mid-range Allure trim maybe offers the best value to pick your ideal 208 variant. It hits the sweet spot between equipment levels and affordability. City drivers will benefit from hybrid powertrains that deliver up to 30% better fuel economy in urban environments compared to regular petrol engines.
The 2025 Peugeot 208 might not top every category, but it creates a really appealing package through its mix of style, comfort, efficiency and technology. This explains its status as a European bestseller. Anyone looking for a supermini that values refinement and distinctive design over pure practicality should think about this stylish French option.
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