Eco Roar, pt II – Peugeot 208 GT Hybrid Review

I’m a sucker for small cars. They present brands with interesting challenges in terms of where to focus their efforts, how to work within the boundaries set by the dimensions, and very often they are recipes for very fun runabouts. So it should surprise no-one that I was happy to keep it French by going back to back from the Peugeot 2008 to the 208, and that I enjoyed the latter even more. Yeah, I might have spoiled the write-up, but stick together until the end, will you. 

I owned a 206 more than 15 years ago (right in the feels!) and I loved it to bits, so of course I’ve been keeping up with the new generations of this hatchback. The second generation of the 208 was launched quite some time ago now, but this facelift model I had is the newest addition to the lineup. The updated fascias and the GT-specific trim bits help set it apart, especially in this (free) colour that even got the “Hey, bro, nice car!” compliment when I was taking these pictures.

The 208 is quite small, which makes it easy to drive and park, and nimble on the road. On the inside, however, the front occupants have plenty of space. The same amazing seats the 2008 had are to be found here and, same as before, they really make it for the interior to become way more special. This level of design, comfort and adjustability is not found everywhere, let alone with a massaging function. The iCockpit gauge cluster is easier to use for shorter folks but I could still see it fully with no issues, and the tridimensional view it creates using the projection adds depth to the images, making for a slightly more refined interaction. 

The rest of the interior is also very well designed, with plenty of premium touches throughout the cabin such as the clicky buttons and the funky ambient lighting. For those at the front, it’s a nice place to be. Space at the back is at a massive premium, as my long legs rendered the seat behind mine unusable. Someone could sit behind my wife with comfort, however, but I would still say that if you need the extra space back there frequently or use car seats, the 2008 will get you covered with almost no compromise. You will find charging ports for everyone’s devices, visibility is great, and the move to the small gear selector freed up a substantial amount of space on the centre console. Too bad the 208 is also affected by the shiny black plastic craze. 

The tech is not a highlight, but gets the fundamentals just right. It lacks navigation or deep customisation, but phone projection is reliable and the 360 camera is very helpful. You can create customer profiles to link specific settings and be on the go with little fiddling. There are plenty of ADAS and safety features, the only head scratching absence here being adaptive cruise control. For a car that is supposed to be a comfortable urban dweller, a feature that is available on the bigger brother 2008 should also have made its way here. 

When it’s time to drive it, it becomes clear how balanced of a platform this is. The three cylinder engine has adequate power and torque, and fits the purpose of the car like a glove, with the electric motor handling slow traffic and even high speed coasting sometimes. The CVT simulates gear changes well enough, adding a bit of engagement and texture, while being smooth under load. The jerkiness and hesitation I often experienced with the 2008 is much less present here, likely as a consequence of the lighter weight and smaller wheels. Whatever the reason, this powertrain is much happier on the 208 and never gets in the way.

These might have also been the reasons why the 208 was more efficient during my driving, clocking figures around the 5.5L/100km through a very diverse driving regimen. On the bendy bits, the 208 shone by showing eagerness to turn, good steering, plenty of grip and predictable suspension tuning. I once impulsively turned a 15km drive into a there-and-back spirited drive to Piha deep into the night for no reason, just because of how much fun I was having while driving it. 

It is easy to use the electric regen in combination with the downshifts to shave speed, and the low level of roll plus the hugging seats invite you to lean into the corners. With the direct steering amped up by the small steering wheel, it becomes an experience that is very approachable and rewarding.

Experiencing both these Pugs back to back was a great way to note the nuances between the two. They are both great cars, and in isolation these differences could have gone over my head. The 208 is the right size (for me, of course), great looking, a blast to drive in back roads under all limits, and is definitely my pick here. The reservations I had with the 2008, while very minor, are mostly absent, all while keeping all the good stuff. This is a very fun little thing! Try one out and you will not be disappointed. Thanks, Peugeot, for the opportunity!