208: the real 5-year cost
The Peugeot 208 is the style pick of the supermini class, and at £21,500 it asks a small premium over plainer rivals. Its five-year true cost is £24,575 — about £410 a month — built on 52.3 mpg combined (£1,008 a year in fuel), £572 insurance, £436 maintenance and £190 road tax. The 208's cabin feels a class above its price, with the i-Cockpit layout and material quality that shames some family hatchbacks.
You pay a little more than for a Corsa to run it, and in return you get arguably the best-looking small car on British roads — subjectivity has rarely cost so little. We have added up five years of fuel, insurance, servicing and tax to reveal the true monthly cost.
| Purchase price | £21,500 |
| Fuel (5 yrs) | £5,042 |
| Insurance (5 yrs) | £2,860 |
| Maintenance (5 yrs) | £2,180 |
| Road tax (5 yrs) | £950 |
| Minus estimated resale value | −£7,955 |
The 208 holds its value well for a French supermini, helped by strong design appeal and the halo effect of the electric e-208. Still, the first year takes the biggest slice, so nearly-new remains the value play. To cut costs: avoid the GT's larger wheels if tyre bills worry you; service at a Peugeot independent; and keep the interior pristine — cabin condition matters disproportionately to 208 resale values.
Our verdict: the 208 is the supermini for buyers who refuse to be bored. It costs slightly more than the cheapest rivals to run, but the daily pleasure of that cabin is worth every penny of the difference. It proves sensible money and genuine desirability can share the same driveway. Few superminis make the daily commute feel this special.