By Jonathan Crouch
Introduction
In 2019, for the first time in nearly 40 years, Peugeot brought us a small car that really pushed the boundaries in supermini design. This second generation 208 model's engineering may not have been quite unique, but all the feel-good stuff really was - the pavement presence, the avant garde cabin. Plus that was delivered with most of the practicality and efficiency buyers needed from a small hatch. Here was a car that made other brands in its sector really sit up and take notice. Let's check it out as a used buy.
History
If you're going to design a really ground breaking supermini - say one that could be produced on the same production line with either petrol, diesel or full-electric powertrains - shouldn't it make a fashion statement as well as an engineering one? Well this car does, the second generation Peugeot 208.
We've rarely had to talk about 'generations' with Peugeot superminis before because they've always been badged differently, ever since the brand properly established itself in this segment with the much admired 205 back in 1983. Subsequent successive models (the 206 of 1998, the 207 of 2006 and the original 208 of 2012) were less appealing, but still sold well. But that odd evolving numerical naming convention wasn't great for building model line loyalty, which is why the brand put a stop to it - or perhaps they just didn't own the rights to '209' and '210' - who can tell?
Anyway, it was ironic that this MK2 model 208, launched late in 2019, kept its name because it was easily the most fundamentally radical and different small Peugeot supermini since the 205. Perhaps we should qualify the term 'different'; the CMP ('Common Modular Platform') and all the basic engineering here was, after all, exactly the same as it was in the Stellantis Group's other small car products of this era, the Vauxhall Corsa and the DS 3 Crossback. But even in this company, this Lion-branded model manages to stand out.
Peugeot clearly set out its stall here. A Ford Fiesta may sell on price and the way it drives; a Volkswagen Polo may sell on quality and the way it rides. But this Gallic brand was determined that a 208 should sell on style, technology and the way it makes you feel. In a segment that back in 2019 was otherwise full of contenders all trying to copy those two market leaders, that was rather refreshing. The MK2 208 sold in its original form until mid-2023, when it was significantly facelifted. It's the pre-facelift version though, that we look at here.
What You Get
If you want this second generation 208, it'll be because you think it looks like nothing else on the road. And you'll be right. The front end is probably the most immediately arresting part of the design, with distinctive LED corner 'fangs' that flow up into the three-claw LED headlight signature. Look further up and you'll note the pared-back windscreen that allows space for the larger sculpted bonnet, the forward tip of which shows off the 208 badge. At the rear, the avant garde theme continues, with exact design and tautly-drawn shaping. In profile, things are a touch more conventional, though if you're familiar with the previous generation model, you'll immediately notice this squared-off 'C'-pillar (which is a nod to the old 205 model and has curious recessed indentations); and you might also note just how much larger and lower this MK2 design is, with its wide wings and curvier body.
Inside, it certainly has a very futuristic feel - and one of very high perceived quality, thanks to the two-tier fascia layout, with its smart carbon-trimmed concave inner section that curls around the edge of the cabin and on into the doors. As with the previous 208, this cabin champions Peugeot's unique so-called 'i-Cockpit' format, where you view the instrument binnacle over the upper rim of a tiny steering wheel rather than conventionally through the wheel spokes. Here though, the concept was further developed with the addition of a 3D instrument binnacle display for plusher variants. This sees critical information like speed and navigational instructions projected in hologram form from the inner roof of the binnacle on to a piece of slanted Perspex in the foreground. Other secondary stuff features on a screen set further back and a button on the left of the steering wheel allows you to differently format the whole set-up according to preference.
More media technology sits to your left in the form of the usual centre-dash touchscreen, normally 7.0-inches in size for 208 buyers but available on plusher models in larger 10-inch form. Either way, the monitor includes plenty of functions - too many in fact because you have to use this display to operate all the climate functions, which means switching out of whatever you're looking at every time you want to change temperature or fan speed. At least the seven stylised piano-style keys below this monitor look rather nice, positioned in front of a row of touch-sensitive short-cut buttons just behind. The seats are reasonably comfortable, there's not much wrong with the ergonomics, there's a reasonable amount of cabin storage space and there are plenty of media connectivity points plus, on most models, you get a wireless charging mat too with its own neat lidded compartment.
At the rear, once inside, it's actually not too bad; there's certainly less room than there was in the previous generation 208 (despite the fact that this MK2 model has a fractionally longer wheelbase length), but there's not much less space than you'd get in the back of a Fiesta for instance, though that's not really saying much. Overall, larger adults probably wouldn't want to be spending too long here. But does that matter, given that for the majority of buyers, these rear seats will be used only occasionally for those above school age? Only you can decide.
Finally, let's consider the boot, which is 311-litres in size - which is 26-litres more than was on offer in the previous generation model and 19-litres bigger than the trunk of a Fiesta but is a capacity figure that remains about average by class standards. It's quite a usable, squarically-sized space though, with 674mm of length and 1,018mm of width between the wheel arches.
What to Look For
Most MK2 208 buyers we came across seemed satisfied. But inevitably there were a few issues. With the combustion models, we've heard of issues with the fuel pump failing or becoming clogged, which leads to a reduction in power and sometimes problems with starting. In a few cases, the fuel pump made loud noises as it was struggling to function. We also heard of issues with faulty fuel pressure sensors causing problems with fuel delivery and acceleration. Some customers have reported the engine cutting out driving, which was traced to issues with the ignition system, the fuel delivery or in some cases the transmission. In a few cases, the problem was a faulty ignition coil. We've also heard of squealing, squeaking brakes caused by worn brake pads or a build-up of brake dust which accumulates on the pads, causing them to create noise. If you're looking at a diesel, look out for clogged diesel particulate filter issues. This is usually caused by the car being used too much in urban conditions and can often be remedied by some fast highway use. Other diesel engine issues include failures for the turbo and injectors.
We've also heard of issues with the electric power steering system caused by a malfunctioning steering rack or pump. And there have been reports of excessive tyre wear on versions with 17-inch alloy wheels. You also need to thoroughly check the infotainment system, which has been known to develop issues, freezing or crashing without warning. This can be caused by software glitches, which require the set-up to be updated or reset. You might also find the central screen has slow response times, which can be due to an overloaded processor or insufficient memory. A few owners reported issues with the sound quality from the speakers, caused by problems with speaker wiring. We've heard problems with the air conditioning system not cooling properly during hot weather conditions. This can be due to a faulty compressor, a refrigerant leak or a blocked condenser. Some owners have also reported problems with the central locking system malfunctioning. Otherwise, it's just the usual things; check the interior for child scrapes - and the wheels and rear bumpers for parking scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
Replacement Parts
(approx based on a 2020 e-208 1.2 excl. VAT) Front brake pads vary in price between £16-£31 for a set; rear pads are around £46. For front brake discs, think around £33-£100 for a pair. A door mirror glass is about £18; a door mirror indicator about £22.
On the Road
What should a small French family car feel like to drive? Much like this, we think. Peugeot hasn't bothered trying to be sporty, firm and Germanic here, so the damping control is gentle and allows for a bit of chassis movement, but gets firmer when the body starts pitching about - as it will do if you start pushing this car into corners in the kind of way a typical owner never would. Predictably, the resulting confection doesn't give you the alert responses you'd get in a Fiesta - or even in a Renault Clio - but for the kind of urban driving that cars of this sort tend to do, we think it's pretty well judged. What it lacks in handling finesse is well compensated for by the languid and properly Gallic way the car handles speed humps and tarmac tears.
Peugeot wants you to pick a powertrain in the same way you'd select a trim option, in this case the modularity of this car's sophisticated CMP platform offering a three-way choice between petrol, diesel or full-electric. Most will opt for the 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol PureTech turbo powerplant in 100hp form, a zingy willing little unit that warbles pleasantly and is notably economic. An 8-speed EAT8 auto gearbox was optional with the PureTech 100 engine - or mandatory if you want this powerplant in its uprated 130hp state of tune. The same engine comes in entry-level normally aspired 75hp form. Or there's a minority-interest 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel. That's if you can't stretch to that all-electric e-208 variant we mentioned earlier. This mates a 100kW electric motor putting out 136bhp with a 50kWh lithium-ion battery that when fully charged is capable of giving the e-208 a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 211 miles. Recharging takes 7.5 hours from a 7kW garage wallbox.
Overall
Previous to this second generation 208 model's arrival, there were essentially three kinds of supermini buyer; those prioritising quality, who picked a Volkswagen Polo - or something like it; those wanting sharp drive dynamics, who chose a Ford Fiesta - or something like it; and those with no fixed priorities, who simply wanted the best small 'B'-segment hatch they could get for the lowest possible outlay. This car opened up a fourth way, with a design-led appeal that offers something refreshingly different in the class. And if you're the kind of person who appreciates that sort of thing, then nothing else in this segment will satisfy you in quite the same way.
Given all of this, it goes without saying that if you don't quite fit into the buying demographic the brand has in mind, you may conceivably still want to shop elsewhere. A 208 doesn't have the 'hewn-from-granite' quality of a Polo, or the handling joie de vivre of a Fiesta - and it's also one of the pricier cars in the class. Not everyone likes the 'i-Cockpit' cabin layout. The fact that the climate controls aren't separated out from the central touchscreen is just annoying. And you'll find other superminis with more rear seat room and larger boots. Even those not immediately seduced by this little Peugeot's charms though, might find their supermini shortlist refreshed in no small measure by the inclusion of one of these. And it has virtues that surely everyone would appreciate - impressive efficiency, a supple ride, decent refinement, a likeable range of engines - and the useful option of a full-electric variant, should you want that.
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