Peugeot 208 owner reviews "The Peugeot 208 hatchback is a modern, stylish supermini with a future-proof engine range but it's a shame it's not more fun to … Once you pass the 2000rpm mark, though, the little Pug shoves you in the back and you'll quickly pack on speed. Driving the Peugeot 208 GTi – any good? The new 208 GTi is more rigid and sporty than the standard 208 supermini. While there's no change to the motor's outputs, Peugeot claims the limited-edition model can dash from 0–100km/h 0.3 seconds quicker than the regular GTi (6.5 seconds), thanks to a bespoke exhaust and throttle calibration that improves responsiveness and drivability across the rev range. It took off where the original VW Golf GTI started, with sufficient space and practicality, lots of speed and a reasonable price. While the longish throw and high clutch take-up point aren't preferable for a performance car, there's nothing quite like shifting gears yourself with a stick and three pedals. Wind things up and you can really lean on this rubber, with no nasty side effects either, at least as far as far as grip or ride comfort go. It's got a big job ahead of it but for the first time in 20 years, Peugeot is well-armed for the conflict. Carryover specification includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear-view camera with parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, front fog lights, LED tail-lights and LED daytime-running lights, along with automatic headlights and wipers. In fact, the hottest 208 is actually one of the most powerful vehicles in its class. Interestingly, Peugeot's all-new 3008 and 5008 SUVs get an updated version of the system, which we can attest is nowhere near as obstructive. Being a three-door, access into the second row of seats isn't as graceful as a hatchback with a second set of openings. There's even less space behind the second row – barely enough for the week's fruit and veg – but at least the 50:50 split-fold seats fold relatively flat should you need to carry anything more substantial. Geneva Motor Show. That makes it good … Launched in 2012, the 208 still looks fresh today, while the top trim models have a pleasingly upmarket feel. There's a splash of red on the fist-size, metal-topped manual shifter too (Peugeot still doesn't offer autos with its performance hatches), and we like the red contrasting double-stitch too. There's no spare under the boot floor either, just a tyre repair kit. This means the car is no slouch, packing a turbo-charged 1.6-liter gasoline engine that makes 200hp at 5,800rpm and 275Nm of torque at a low 1,700rpm. Until the new-gen Ford Fiesta ST arrives next year, the Peugeot offers the best warranty cover in the light-hot-hatch segment – both the Renault and Volkswagen offer three-year programs. 2019 Skoda Fabia 81TSI Monte Carlo review. While the free-revving nature of the 1.6-litre engine makes it a lot of fun, that kind of driving isn't necessarily practical for day-to-day use. Which brings us back to the Peugeot... For starters, it has aged pretty well and still looks special beside its more mundane 208 siblings. Some folk have given up hope of Peugeot ever creating a genuinely good GTi again. I can short shift up the gears quickly and maintain a decent fuel consumption figure. However, kids should be fine in the rear, and the set of ISOFIX mounts on each outboard rear seat mean two booster seats should comfortably fit. The Peugeot 205 GTI is one of the legends of hot hatch history. The bucket front seats look fantastic and are surprisingly comfortable, while the red floor mats add that little bit of visual pop – though we reckon they'll be a pain to keep clean in the long run. Drivers with larger feet may find it a little uncomfortable, and you may find yourself occasionally knocking the brake. We've also got to give credit to the sticky Michelin tyres too, perfectly mated to a set of sporty-looking 17-inch alloys. But let's be honest, if you're looking at a Peugeot 208 GTi or any of its competitive set, you're far more likely to be concerned with what's under the bonnet rather than boot space. However, that's not necessarily due to a lack of talent or specification. A la 205 GTi there's an abundance of red for the trim, stitching, steering wheel and floor mats, plus funky illuminated dial surrounds. Anyway, a new Peugeot 208 is (if everything goes well), the prospect of a new Peugeot 208 GTI… So, I went to Portugal to try the latest Peugeot 208 and e-208 regular versions to know what the French manufacturer was cooking. In 2018, a Peugeot 208 GTi 30th Edition model won the overall award in the inaugural Classic Sports Car Club Turbo Tin Tops Series, for forced induction front wheel drive cars. This six-foot-one-ish reviewer wasn't able to fit comfortably behind his own driving position in terms of knee and leg room, though head room is pretty good. Suspension and wheels are specific to this latest Peugeot GTi, with modifications to springs, calibration of the shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, enhanced front subframe and rear crossmember rigidity. However, it misses out on most of today's active crash-avoidance systems like lane departure warning and lane assist, but again expect to see those features on the next-generation 208 range. The good thing is, it’s a far more convincing hot hatch than either the 206 or 207 GTI. The facelifted GTi gets 8bhp more than before, and a welcome 25Nm boost … By comparison, the Polo GTI's larger 2.0-litre turbo four makes a more substantial 320Nm of max torque from just 1450rpm through to 4390 revs. It might be nearing the end of its life cycle, but the Peugeot 208 GTi is still able to take the fight to its most capable rivals. As for ownership, Peugeot offers a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty bolstered with five years of roadside assistance. The 208 is entering a war zone that in twelve months’ time will be packed with a battalion of hot hatches to choose from. Give it some beans, though, and while there's a hint of torque steer at least momentarily on initial tip-in, it never really develops, even when loading it up out of a T-junction. The engine is vocal without sounding thrashy, and you can hear a nice pop on upshifts under hard acceleration. The 'Prestige' part of its name mainly comes down to the addition of some very desirable extras like satellite navigation, a panoramic roof and part-leather heated sports seats. Peugeot's questionable i-Cockpit set-up that sees a small-size steering wheel sitting below a floating instrument display is still a sore point, at least with this reviewer. You can always rely on the French to build a stylish small hatchback. We all know what it is and we all know that since it disappeared in 1994, Peugeot has failed time and time again to match its near-mythical status. With an all-new generation of the 208 due in 2019, Peugeot has decided to give one last hurrah to the three-door performance model in the form of the 208 GTi Édition Définitive – or Definitive Edition – which is now on sale from $31,490 before on-road costs or $33,990 drive-away. All the COVID-19 border closures and restrictions around Australia in 2021, 2019 Peugeot 208 GTi could go electric - report, Peugeot 308 GTI production halted for WLTP, local supply unaffected, Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive arrives from $33,990 drive-away, Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive pricing and specs, 208 news, reviews, comparisons and videos. In terms of fuel consumption, the hot hatch returned an indicated 8.0L/100km over 460km of mixed driving, though skewed more towards urban and high-traffic commutes. Folding the back seats expands that figure to 1152L, though there's a noticeable hump between the luggage floor and the base of the seatback. PetrolBlog is determined not to mention the 208’s historical reference point. We feared for several months, with the revelation of the new generation of Peugeot 208: the tightening of anti-pollution standards on a European scale pushes the Lion to definitively abandon the … It's worth noting that like the standard 208 GTi, the Édition Définitive is fitted with idle stop/start technology to conserve fuel when at a standstill. There's also a 7.0-inch touchscreen and steering wheel audio controls, satellite navigation and dual-zone climate control. Either way, the 208 GTi is one of those cars that eggs you on to have a crack on your favourite back road, and with a good deal of confidence and pace, simply because of the high grip levels (at all four corners) and the typically wonderful chassis balance of a Peugeot hot-hatch. And while that's not particularly rapid in a world where there are super-hatches capable of clocking 4.1 seconds, it is, however, competitive thanks to its impressive power-to-weight ratio (135w/kg). Pity, then, about the lack of low-down punch, although we can't complain about the super-slick shift action. There's limited width in the rear – not surprising for such a small car – and there's also very little knee room for passengers seated behind a taller driver. Close. With about 120 horsepower and weighing under a ton, it was quite quick for 1980s, and its tail-happy attitude gave it the reputation of a challenging car to drive. Any long term owners here? For those after an all-rounder, the Pug probably won't be for you. We noticed, however, that between 4000rpm and the 6000rpm redline the 208 can feel like it runs out of puff a little. The Peugeot 208 GTi Prestige is the more lavishly equipped version of the French brand's hot hatchback. The Peugeot 208 is one of the most stylish and interesting cars in the crowded small hatchback market. The engine outputs might look like just any other hatch in this class, but the turbo comes on nice and strong in an impressively linear fashion. Building on … The next-gen Polo is also due later this year, while the Clio RS received a recent face lift, so don't expect anything new any time soon from the Renault Sport camp. Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs. Just don't expect a whole lot of room – anywhere. The good times were coming back for the French brand. The new Peugeot 208's key strengths are its show-stopping looks, its top-notch interior and a good level of refinement. The new-generation 208 is expected to be unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show, and will be built on Peugeot's brand-new Common Modular Platform (CMP) being developed in conjunction with Chinese partner, Dongfeng. All told, the 208 GTi Édition Définitive is a great little hot hatch that drives as good as it looks, and stands out from the sea of Polos, Clios and Fiestas that tend to be the weapons of choice in the segment. Not only does it have to face stiff competition from the Ford Fiesta ST and Renault Clio RS, it is also charged with reenacting the brilliance of the iconic 205 GTI in the 80s, which was tarnished by the 206 and 207 GTis that followed it. It might be designated as a 2018 car, but the current version of the Peugeot 208 GTi isn't exactly new, having first lobbed on the scene here back in 2013. For the first five visits (60 months/100,000km), the French hot hatch will set you back $524, $685, $524, $690 and $529 – making for a total cost of $2952 for that period. There's 275Nm on tap from just 1700rpm, but oddly enough the 208 GTi doesn't really hurl itself out of the blocks like you might expect – blame it on turbo lag. If you're in the market for a light hot hatch that's a little different, you definitely should give this one a look. It makes for reliable and strong acceleration, with the peak 205Nm of torque available at 1500rpm. MORE: Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive pricing and specsMORE: 208 news, reviews, comparisons and videosMORE: Everything Peugeot. At the end of 2012, Peugeot realised that the 208 had generated the strongest order-take for a launch of any vehicle in the company's history and had contributed to a 5.6 per cent growth in year on year sales. After adjusting the driver's pew into my perfect seating position, including steering wheel tilt and reach, I was dismayed to find that the digital speedo was completely obstructed. There's real pace here and it doesn't let up, either. By September, Peugeot was announcing a 208 GTi hot hatch version and an 'XY' luxury derivative. The 208 is good fun, and lives up to its heritage of making the most of its lightweight dimensions and small figure to make for an agile city-slicker. There's also a red 12 o'clock marker on the steering wheel. For the circa-$4000 extra spend over the standard GTi (now in runout advertised for $29,990 drive-away) you get things like matte-black exterior accents, 18-inch matte-black alloys shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, a Torsen mechanical limited-slip front differential, a 10mm lower ride height, wider tracks (+22mm front, +16mm rear), along with model-specific suspension spring and damper rates. Is it worth it? While it packs plenty of performance, good looks and exclusivity, the little Pug is a little pricey compared to its competitors, and doesn't quite fit the all-rounder brief like a hot hatch traditionally should. It's just not overly thrilling or engaging like its larger sibling, the 308 GTi. If a deal comes up on an ST that's markedly more affordable than the Peugeot Sport GTI, then get it; it's brilliant, and the Peugeot is not £4,000 better. Down back, not so much, and getting there is even harder, torturous even, particularly if you happen to find yourself sandwiched between a couple of SUVs at the local shopping mall. We noticed the Peugeot tends to understeer when pushed, though, despite the grippier tyres and limited-slip diff. The Peugeot 208 GTI is not as good as the 205 GTI. Behind the second row of seats is a 311L boot area, which is pretty decent for the light-car segment. The ride, meanwhile, is quite firm without being underdamped. There's so little effort required to swap cogs, you can row through the gears using just two fingers if you're feeling a bit lazy. There’s a Peugeot 208 for everyone, from a frugal diesel to a GTI that rekindles memories of the iconic Peugeot 205 GTI. The Peugeot 208 GTi has a lot on its shoulders. This is the new Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport and as the name suggests, Peugeot Sport has been responsible for it. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's The lowered ride height, larger alloys, and widened tracks give it a more planted and muscular appearance, particularly at the rear, while the matte-black accents contrast well with the white exterior finish. Good enough to go from standstill to 100km/h in around 6.8 seconds. Rallycross. Not really acceptable in this camera-infested landscape of ours. Either way, the 208 GTi is one of those cars that eggs you on to have a crack on your favourite back road, and with a good deal of confidence and pace, simply because of the high grip levels (at all four corners) and the typically wonderful chassis balance of a Peugeot hot-hatch. It brings a sense of style that provides a real feelgood factor, helping it stand out in the crowded supermini market. We reckon the changes make a big difference to the 208's overall look. Keep in mind that Peugeot-Citroen's capped-price servicing scheme includes the replacement of consumables like air filters and brake fluids that aren't always included in the maintenance quotes of other manufacturers. Just because it’s not as good as the Fiesta doesn’t make it a bad car. What it lacks in all-round ability, the final-edition 208 GTi makes up for in muscle, character, and flair – and purists don't forget, it's one of the few options in this segment with a manual transmission. … The ride will be too firm for many, and the tight rear seat takes away from the surprisingly practical boot. More than that, though, it's an entirely chuckable thing thanks to a quick steering rack with decent feedback and meaty weighting. share. It feels like Peugeot has actually put some effort into this one and the result isn’t too bad at all. Push into a corner too hard, and the 208 GTi gradually understeers, but that is easily recovered, without much drama. Whether said hatchback is any good or not is a little more hit and miss. The low-profile tyres can generate a bit of noise over coarser roads without being deafening, while wind noise is well suppressed in the cabin. Good levels of space and refinement, a fun handling set-up, and low running costs make the Peugoet 208 a contender in a crowded market. Peugeot 208 GTI. Archived. Peugeot 208 GTi Rendering Previews A Sexy Hot Hatch From France This little hatchback looks quite promising. Mind you, it's still a lot softer than the 30th Anniversary edition, which had some serious improvements to the chassis for superior body control, but the ride was firm. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's But otherwise the cockpit is a mix of piano black accents, metal-look trim and lots of hard grey plastics with the odd bit of leather thrown in for good measure. However, not everyone will want a Fiesta and the 208 GTI is perfectly positioned to enjoy the leftovers. Certainly that was the case in and around the Sydney ’burbs. Peugeot may have set their sights high with the 208 but Ford aimed even higher with the Fiesta ST and truly hit the mark. However, that's not necessarily due to a lack of talent or specification. Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs. Peugeot says the e-208 has 134 horsepower (136 PS) and 191 pound-feet (260 Nm) of torque, which is enough to allow it to sprint to 100 km/h (62 … Safety-wise, this cheeky little Peugeot gets the standard suite of six airbags, emergency brake assist, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and auto activation of hazard lights under emergency braking. Up front, there's actually a decent amount of living space – that's good head, leg and elbow room, all things considered. 2. We'd argue the lowered ride height and larger wheels make it more noticeable in the Édition Définitive compared to the standard GTi. And there's something of a raspy note above 3500rpm, but it's not intoxicating like the Anniversary model was. Its ultra-light weight helps too. Mind you, the 208 GTi is fairly well equipped, counting kit such as rear parking sensors and reversing camera, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, electric folding door mirrors and privacy glass in its standard-feature inventory. This is a good thing. 9 comments . Posted by '14 Ford Fiesta ST (3 Door) 4 years ago. You also get LED daytime running lights and tail lamps, but disappointingly there are no LED headlamps, and instead you get a fancy version of the old halogen lamps. The Peugeot 208 GTi tends to fly under the radar in the light-hot-hatch segment, overshadowed by the popularity of rivals like the Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and Volkswagen Polo GTI. The new Peugeot 208 majors in great design. The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine under the bonnet of the Peugeot 208 GTi is a feisty unit. Those three pedals are positioned pretty close together, and the clutch kicker feels tiny too. It's definitely a little polarising when you first use it, though there's plenty of adjustment in the driver's seat and steering wheel (tilt and reach) so that most people can find a comfortable seat position. Inside, the hot-hatch genre is a tad more pronounced, with a pair of heavily bolstered front buckets and an aluminium pedal set that do the loudest talking, while the nicely contoured, thick-rimmed steering wheel complete with red centre-position marker are also tell-tale signs of its intended capability. But that doesn't mean it's any less capable than its key Euro rivals, which include Volkswagen's Polo GTI and fellow French compatriot the Renault Clio RS, both of which are around the same age, albeit with a face lift in between to keep things moderately fresh. Besides the bigger wheels, lowered stance and dual exhaust tips, there's plenty of bling-enhanced badging to remind you of the fact. Some find their driving position sees the steering wheel block the view of the raised instrument binnacle, while others (like myself) have no issues at all having the steering wheel positioned a little lower. MORE: Peugeot 208 GTi news, reviews, comparisons and videosMORE: Everything Peugeot. 2021 Tesla Model Y Standard Range joins US range, seven-seat option introduced, 2019 Peugeot 208 GTi could go electric - report, Renault to revive classic 4L and 5 city cars as electric vehicles – report, All the COVID-19 border closures and restrictions around Australia in 2021, Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive arrives from $33,990 drive-away, Peugeot 308 GTI production halted for WLTP, local supply unaffected, Peugeot 208 GTi news, reviews, comparisons and videos, Decent interior, reasonably well equipped, Engine note is somehow lacking at full noise. Unlike an increasing amount of rivals, the Peugeot is only available with a six-speed manual transmission, which sends drive to the front wheels via that mechanical diff. Scheduled maintenance, meanwhile, is required every 12 months or 20,000km (whichever comes first). In Europe, the 208 is classed as a supermini, but at 3973mm in length, it's also fractionally shorter than both the Polo and the Clio – meaning space packaging is critical to passenger comfort. hide. There are no options available for the Édition Définitive, not even for the exterior paint – your only choice is Pearl White. For a model nearing the end of its life cycle, the Peugeot 208 GTi still stacks up well against its competition, especially in the performance stakes. However, the three-door body makes it somewhat of a unicorn in today's market, and the fact that you'll be one of just 20 owners in the country means you'll be part of a club more exclusive than many high-end supercars. The 208 GTi is an amazingly well engineered car with some really good tech on board. In the 208 family, the GTi slots in only a half-notch down from the top dog GTi 30th anniversary edition (a tribute to Peugeot’s hot hatch icon, the 205 GTi that debuted in 1974). I did my best to read between the lines and try to guess the future of French driving pleasure. Peugeot's send-off to the current-generation 208 GTi brings beefier looks and added performance for $4000. Whenever Peugeot releases a new GTI version of its smallest car we get very excited and exclaim, "The 205 GTI … Plenty of red highlights are scattered throughout the cockpit too, from the contrasting red stitching on the seats, dashboard and door inserts to the aforementioned pinstriping on the door handles and seatbelts. In terms of safety credentials, the 208 wears a 2012-stamped five-star ANCAP and Euro NCAP safety rating, though this score applies to five-door versions. Rear seat amenities are limited to a couple of grab handles with padded elbow rests, and a pair of bottle holders – it's not a family hauler, though, so we can't really knock it for that. Engine noise, as already mentioned, isn't an attack on the ears, though the high-speed drone may be a turn-off for some. Inside, there are special appointments like sports bucket front seats trimmed in Alcantara, red floor mats with 'Peugeot Sport' embroidery, along with red pinstriping on the interior door handles and seatbelts – not bad for $4000 all up. Instead, the real meat from this small-displacement engine is in the mid-range, where this car is at its most potent state. Peugeot 208 GTI. It certainly feels very punchy, though there's a bit of low-down turbo lag, especially when taking off from a standstill. That's quite a bit higher than Peugeot's 5.4L/100km combined claim, but the countless stints in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Melbourne's infamous Punt Road lead us to believe our indicated readout is better compared to the 6.9L/100km claimed urban figure. It's just not that important, is it? Peugeot 208 GTi Price: from $29,900 Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Capped servicing: $270/yr for 3 yrs/60,000km That's where the stock 208 GTi differs most, with plenty of pliancy built into the suspension system that's able to iron out almost any size of bump you might encounter. Interested in a little hot hatch, I know a lot about the Fiesta ST, but want to do more research into the Peugeot, main concerns are reliability, cost of parts and services and just your general thoughts on the car long term. The later GTi version from 2014 onwards was known as the GTi by Peugeot Sport and was powered by a raucous turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine that produced 205bhp. Had a few other fast Peugeot's in the past and this is as good as any of them. Compared to a normal 208 GTi there are Peugeot Sport bucket seats with Alcantara trim - brilliantly supportive, chunky and they feel of high quality. There are also 323mm brake discs with four-piston front calipers finished in red – which were co-developed with Brembo – 'Peugeot Sport' badging on each C-pillar, and low-speed autonomous emergency braking for the first time on the 208 GTi, operating at speeds up to 30km/h. It certainly stands out and looks special, and that continues once you hop in. Particularly around town, the 208 picks up most imperfections, though rarely crashes over bumps. The chassis of the Peugeot 208 GTi feels nice and planted through corners, without any hints that it uses a rear torsion beam set up. As for the steering and handling, the tiny steering wheel and darty dynamics make the 208 GTi a hoot to drive on just about any road. There's good feedback through the tiller without being too heavy, and body control is composed through the bends. The 1.6 litre turbo THP200 engine is almost diesel like in its delivery, with bulk of the torque coming from a low RPM. It's priced well, reasonably well equipped, and more than able of taking the fight to its most capable rivals. And much of that weight-saving is over the front end too, which gives it a high degree of agility and a thoroughly playful character. Refinement, though, is pretty good. As good as it is, and it is that, there's something missing in the noiseworks. And it was even more fun to drive. The Peugeot 208 GTi tends to fly under the radar in the light-hot-hatch segment, overshadowed by the popularity of rivals like the Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and Volkswagen Polo GTI. By Angel Sergeev Jun 07 2019. At 1160kg (kerb weight) it's easily the lightest in class, trumping the Polo GTI by 82kg and the Clio RS by 58kg. We'd have to assume it will be fitted to the new-gen 208 model series when it arrives later in the year. Initial impressions are good – on paper.The 208 GTi trumps the much-lauded Fiesta ST in the race to 62 mph, and although it may lose out by a smidgen in that department to the Renaultsport Clio, it’s more economical, undoubtedly prettier and has a ‘proper’ 6 speed gearbox – not the much maligned ‘flappy paddle’ effort as found in its Gallic cousin. Very racy indeed. 2018 Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive review, 2019 Skoda Fabia 81TSI Monte Carlo review. You need to spec it carefully to get the best from it, however, as the ride can be mediocre on cars with certain engines and with the bigger wheels, and the pricing of the 208 looks robust, to say the very least. In this case, Peugeot has maintained its tried and proven 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine for its light weight and robust power and torque output of 153kW and 300Nm. The front buckets fold and slide forward easy enough, though once back in place you'll find the little Pug's three-seat rear bench is more of a novelty. As for the overall layout, Peugeot's i-Cockpit head-up dashboard design continues to spark debate within the CarAdvice team regarding its practicality.