Peugeot 208 facelift Test Drive Review

Date: 15 May 2015   |   Author:

Category: Supermini P11D price: £16,040 Key rival: Ford Fiesta On sale: June 2015 Equipment: 6 airbags, Bluetooth, 16in alloys, auto lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, touchscreen, DAB radio, cruise control, air-conditioning Engines: Petrol: 68hp 1.0-litre, 82hp 1.2-litre, 110hp 1.2-litre, 208hp 1.6 Diesel: 75hp 1.6-litre, 100hp 1.6-litre, 120hp 1.6-litre Trims: Access a/c, Active, Allure, GT Line, GTi

Emitting 103g/km, the new 110hp petrol is more efficient than all its key rivals bar the 100hp Ford Fiesta Ecoboost at 99g/km, and Peugeot is also claiming best in class status for the 104g/km EAT6 automatic version, though the £1000 extra cost and slightly juddery creep sensation count against a gearbox that is nonetheless massively improved over the old jerky robotised manual version it replaced.

The small steering wheel is pleasant in feel, and though the gear lever is set a little low, it offers a good quality of shift. Ride quality is also good.

But the manual is the more sensible cost per mile option and is a refined, powerful and flexible unit, giving the 208 equal ability on long runs as twisty ones.

The looks of the three-year old 208 have been enhanced to give it more of a macho stance, with nefront bumper, grille, headlamps and tail lights, while the interior gets a full-grain leather steering wheel from Active trim upwards, plus new dashboard treatment.

The Mirrorlink system that replicates an Android phone onto the seven-inch touchscreen that's standard on all bar the most basic Access A/C trim level is standard chk, and Peuegot will be adding the Apple version - Carplay - by the end of the year, along with an increasing number of apps including navigation and music streaming via the Peugeot Connected Apps portal.

Safety technology is also improved, at least in as much as the Active City Brake system that will help the car avoid an accident at under 19mph is a £250 option on most of the range. The company is though running a launch offer until at least September, where the system is added free of charge, along with reversing camera, and parking aid on Active spec or satnav on Allure.

As a whole-life cost proposition, the 208's biggest problem is a higher P11D than its main competitors. Certainly in this Allure spec that's one above the core fleet Active and Access A/C models. It's only a few hundred pounds higher than the Renault Clio or Ford Fiesta, while the Vauxhall Corsa is cheaper than all of the above, but combined with a  residual value that's a few percentage points off its rivals, it means the 208 is almost a penny per mile behind its key competitors.

But it's a slight improvement on what was already a well-respected and above-average car in a segment full of very good alternatives

Verdict Efficiency improvements give 208 a boost in a sector full of good product				8/10
	Good all-round package of quality, practicality and driving appeal		Residual values still can't match the class best and rivals are cheaper

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