208 vs its rivals

The Peugeot 208 is the style-conscious supermini that undercuts the hatchback average without looking cheap. At £21,500 it sits £3,614 below the £25,114 segment mean. Its 100 PS petrol engine trails the 130 PS average and 10.1 seconds to 62 mph is modest, but the 208 was never about straight-line speed. Economy of 52.3 mpg is a touch under the 53.9 mpg average, costing about £1,008 a year in fuel at 8,000 miles. Five-year true cost of £24,575 (£410 a month) keeps it among the cheaper cars to own here. Where the 208 earns its keep is desirability: sharp French styling and a distinctive cabin at a price thousands below the segment average. Few superminis make budget motoring feel this desirable.

208 vs the Hatchback segment average

Peugeot 208Segment average (11 cars)
Price from£21,500£25,205
Power100 PS130 PS
Fuel economy52.3 mpg55.0 mpg
Est. 5-year true cost£24,577—

Segment average is computed from 11 popular hatchback models on DrivePedia. True-cost figure is an estimate.

The 208 is for the buyer who refuses to drive something dull on a budget. The style-conscious driver gets the best-looking supermini in this group — inside and out — for £3,614 less than the hatchback average. The city commuter benefits from compact size, light controls and reasonable running costs. The first-time buyer gets affordable insurance at £572 a year wrapped in genuine desirability. The pragmatist, however, gets more space and better economy from a Clio at £1,505 less, and the enthusiast will crave more than 100 PS. Verdict: the 208 sells on charm rather than cold numbers, and at this price the charm is affordable. If you want a cheap car with personality, few rivals blend style and value this well.

Full Peugeot 208 review →

Frequently asked questions

How does the Peugeot 208 compare to rivals on price?
The 208 costs £21,500, which is £3,614 below the £25,114 hatchback average. It undercuts the Vauxhall Astra (£23,995) by £2,495 and the Ford Focus (£26,495) by £4,995, while costing £1,500 more than the Renault Clio (£19,995). It is keenly priced for such a stylish supermini.
How does the 208 compare on running costs and economy?
Its 52.3 mpg sits just below the 53.9 mpg hatchback average, with annual fuel costs around £1,008 at 8,000 miles — respectable rather than remarkable. Insurance at £572 a year is low. Five-year true cost of £24,575 (£410 a month) is competitive, though hybrid rivals like the Clio (64.2 mpg) cost noticeably less to fuel.
Is the Peugeot 208 good value?
Yes, with the caveat that you are buying style as well as transport. It is £3,614 cheaper than the hatchback average with low insurance and reasonable running costs. The 100 PS engine is modest and the Clio beats it on economy for less money. But for buyers who want an affordable car with genuine visual flair, the 208 offers strong value.