Peugeot 208 2020 review
Overview
The second-generation Peugeot 208 arrived in the UK in early 2020 as one of the most keenly anticipated superminis of the decade. Revealed in 2019 and crowned European Car of the Year 2020 with 281 points, ahead of the Tesla Model 3 and Porsche Taycan, it gave the Ford Fiesta a genuinely stylish rival. UK order books opened in autumn 2019, with prices starting at £16,250 on the road for the entry-level Active 1.2 PureTech 75, rising through Allure and GT Line to a range-topping PureTech 130 auto at £23,350. Peugeot pitched the car as the first of its power-of-choice generation: petrol, diesel or full-electric on the same platform, in the same body.
The engine menu is refreshingly broad. Petrol buyers get 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech units in 75hp, 100hp and 130hp outputs: the 75hp pairs with a five-speed manual, the 100hp with a six-speed manual or the eight-speed EAT8 automatic, and the 130hp with the EAT8 only, covering 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds and topping out at 129mph. A 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100 diesel with a six-speed manual suits high-mileage drivers, while the e-208 pairs a 136hp motor with a 50kWh battery for a quoted 217-mile WLTP range and an 8.1-second 0-62mph time, with prices from £25,050 after the then-£3,500 plug-in car grant. The PureTech 100 manual is the sensible used pick: launch figures quote 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, 97g/km of CO2 and up to 52.3mpg combined, and it is plentiful on the used market.
Inside, the 208 punches above its segment with the 3D i-Cockpit, which projects driving data in layered holographic-style depth ahead of the driver, a compact steering wheel, piano-key toggles and either a 7-inch or 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Trim structure is generous: Active brings autonomous emergency braking, air conditioning and heated mirrors, while Allure adds the 3D cluster and gloss-black detailing, and GT Line piles on full LED headlights, parking sensors, a 180-degree reversing camera and mood lighting. Boot space is a modest 311 litres, expanding to 1,106 with the seats folded, which trails some rivals. Euro NCAP awarded four stars in 2019: adult and child scores were strong at 91 and 86 per cent, but the 56 per cent vulnerable-road-user score and poor rear-seat whiplash protection cost it the fifth star.
As a used buy the 2020 208 is now excellent value, with petrol examples typically £8,000 to £13,000 depending on trim and mileage, and early e-208s changing hands for roughly £7,500 to £11,500. One warning matters more than all the praise: the 1.2 PureTech uses a wet timing belt that runs inside the engine oil, and neglected oil changes let it degrade, shedding debris that can block the oil pickup and destroy the engine with little warning. Buy only a car with a full, stamped Peugeot dealer service history using the correct low-ash oil, ask for proof of any belt replacement, and factor a precautionary belt change into your budget if the history is thin. Check for excessive oil consumption, warning lights and, on e-208s, battery health. Bought carefully, this is a sharp, efficient and charming supermini for the money.
UK price from: £16,250
Specifications
| Engine | 1.2-litre PureTech 3-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 129bhp (96kW) @ 5,500rpm |
| Torque | 230Nm @ 1,750rpm |
| 0-62 mph | 8.7 seconds |
| Top speed | 129mph |
| Transmission | 8-speed EAT8 automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy | Up to 52.3mpg combined (WLTP, PureTech 100 manual) |
| CO2 emissions | 103g/km (PureTech 130 EAT8, WLTP) |
| Boot space | 311-1,106 litres |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles (extendable) |
Features
- 3D i-Cockpit digital cluster projecting driving data in layered depth, standard on Allure and above
- Full LED headlights with smart beam assist on GT Line models
- 7-inch HD touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, 10-inch display on GT
- Autonomous emergency braking fitted across the range, with night-function and cyclist detection on GT Line
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane positioning assist and blind spot monitoring on higher trims
- Eight-colour LED cabin mood lighting with piano-key toggle switches on the dashboard
- 180-degree reversing camera plus front and rear parking sensors on GT Line
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wet timing belt kit (genuine-pattern, PureTech) | £95 | Critical service item - confirm belt type against registration before ordering |
| Full service kit (oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter) | £48 | Pattern parts - PureTech needs the correct low-SAPS oil specification |
| Front brake discs and pads set | £65 | Pattern set for PureTech 100/130 - check disc diameter against VIN |
| Rear brake pads set | £28 | Pattern pads - standard fitment across most 2020 petrol derivatives |
| Clutch kit (manual PureTech 100) | £165 | Pattern kit - labour is the larger cost on these cars |
| Front wiper blades pair | £18 | Flat-blade pattern pair, 26in and 17in lengths |
Pros
- 2020 European Car of the Year with genuinely premium styling and cabin design for the class
- Broad powertrain choice: three PureTech petrols, an efficient BlueHDi diesel and the 217-mile WLTP e-208 electric
- Sweet-handling chassis with characterful three-cylinder engines and refined EAT8 automatic
- Low running costs: cheap VED bands, competitive insurance and strong real-world economy
- Well-stocked kit list even on base Active, with class-leading driver-assistance options on GT Line
Cons
- PureTech wet timing belt can fail catastrophically if oil services are missed - full service history is essential
- Only four Euro NCAP stars due to weak vulnerable-road-user protection and rear whiplash scores
- 311-litre boot is small beside Fiesta and Clio rivals, and rear headroom is tight
- Infotainment can be fiddly and the i-Cockpit driving position suits some drivers more than others
