Peugeot 208 2023 review
Overview
IMPORTANT DATING NOTE: the facelifted Peugeot 208 was revealed in July 2023 and went on UK sale on 19 October 2023 as a 2024-model-year car, priced from £20,400 for the petrol range. A car first registered in early-to-mid 2023 is almost certainly the pre-facelift car — this page covers facelift cars ordered from October 2023 onwards, identified by the triple-fang daytime running lights, the larger grille with the new Peugeot crest, the full-width rear claw light bar, and the standard 10-inch touchscreen. If the car in front of you still carries an Active Premium+, Allure Premium+ or GT Premium badge, it is pre-facelift, not this car.
The facelift did not need to reinvent the 208 to stay relevant — it just sharpened the details that already made the second-generation car a familiar sight on UK high streets. The new triple-fang lights and wider grille give it a bolder face in traffic, while inside the standard 10-inch screen finally brings the car up to the standard buyers expect. For a supermini that spends most of its life threading through town traffic, school runs and supermarket car parks, that combination of kerb appeal and everyday tech is exactly the point.
Under the bonnet, the car to choose for most UK buyers remains the 1.2 PureTech 100. It is not a hot hatch, but its turbocharged three-cylinder pulls cleanly from low revs, which matters far more on a damp A-road or a busy roundabout than any headline power figure. Paired with the six-speed manual it is brisk enough for motorway work, returns genuine 50-plus mpg in mixed use, and keeps insurance and tax in sensible supermini territory. The eight-speed automatic suits town drivers, but it blunts acceleration and pushes emissions up, so it is worth driving both before deciding.
Where the 208 asks for compromise is space. Up front it feels grown-up and well finished, but adults in the back will notice the tight legroom, and the boot — quoted differently depending on who measures it — is adequate rather than generous, with a high lip to lift over. The i-Cockpit layout is equally divisive: some drivers love looking over the little wheel at the high-set dials, others never quite find a comfortable position. And the real buying advice for a 2023 car is about history, not trim: the PureTech engine's oil-bathed timing belt rewards careful servicing and punishes neglect, so a facelift car with a full, correct-oil service record and a clean recall check is a far better buy than a cheaper example with gaps in its paperwork. Do not assume a 2023 car has the later chain engine — the changeover was gradual, so check the engine code for the individual car.
UK price from: £20,400
Specifications
| Engine | 1,199cc 3-cylinder turbo petrol (PureTech 100) |
| Power | 100 PS (c. 99 bhp) |
| Torque | 205 Nm at 1,750 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed EAT8 automatic optional) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-62 mph | 9.9 seconds (manual); 10.8 seconds (EAT8) |
| Top speed | 117 mph |
| Fuel economy | 50-58.2 mpg combined (WLTP, varies by wheels and options) |
| CO2 emissions | 109-127 g/km (WLTP, varies by wheels and options) |
| Boot space | 311 litres in most UK listings; 387 litres per Parkers and Carwow (measurement differs); 1,106-1,163 litres seats down |
| Kerb weight | 1,090 kg minimum |
| Dimensions | 4,055 mm long x 1,745 mm wide (1,960 mm incl. mirrors) x 1,430 mm high; wheelbase 2,540 mm |
| Fuel tank | 44 litres |
| Insurance group | 21 (Allure manual); Euro NCAP 4 stars (2019 test, not re-tested as a facelift) |
Features
- Peugeot i-Cockpit with 10-inch configurable digital instrument panel and compact leather steering wheel
- 10-inch HD touchscreen with Peugeot i-Connect, DAB radio, Bluetooth and voice recognition
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless Mirror Screen on Allure and GT)
- LED daytime running lights with the distinctive triple-claw signature, Eco LED headlights, and LED triple-claw horizontal rear lights
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Lane-keep assist, speed-limit recognition and driver-attention warning
- Tri-material cloth and leather-effect upholstery, gloss-black B-pillar and dark-tinted rear windows
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats, electric heated power-folding door mirrors, and automatic door locking
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £44.99 | Typical retail; pattern part |
| Front brake discs (pair) | £74.99 | Typical retail; pattern part |
| Oil filter | £11.99 | Must use correct PSA-spec oil for the PureTech wet belt |
| Engine air filter | £19.99 | |
| Cabin pollen filter | £15.99 | |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £23.99 |
Pros
- One of the sharpest-looking superminis on sale — the facelift's triple-fang face and full-width rear light bar make even the mid-range Allure stand out
- The PureTech 100 is genuinely flexible: 205 Nm from 1,750 rpm gives easy town pace and relaxed motorway cruising, with 50-plus mpg WLTP potential
- A genuinely pleasant cabin for the class — soft-touch dash, clever piano-key toggles and a phone-charging cubby — that feels a step above budget rivals
- Comfortable, settled ride that soaks up broken UK town roads better than its sporty looks suggest
- Sensible running costs for a petrol supermini: group 21 insurance and a 44-litre tank giving a long touring range
Cons
- The wet-belt PureTech needs diligent servicing — wrong oil or missed changes can turn a cheap supermini into an expensive engine bill, so history matters more than mileage alone
- Rear space is cramped for adults and the small rear doors make child seats awkward — a Polo or Fabia carries rear passengers more comfortably
- The i-Cockpit layout does not suit everyone; some drivers cannot see the full display without their knees touching the wheel
- Practicality is only average: the boot is modest by class standards under either measurement, and the high loading lip makes heavy lifting awkward
