Name: Peugeot 208 (2020 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Peugeot 208
Rating: 73.0

Summary

The Peugeot 208 is a small, supermini-class, five-door hatchback. The current model was launched in 2019 and arrived in UK showrooms in January 2020.

The new 208 is also available with an electric motor, which is called the E-208. We have a separate page for this model, as it is substantially different to the combustion-engined model.

The media review scores for the 208 to date have been generally average, with praise for the car’s design – both inside and out – as well as its interior quality. However, some sources have been rather critical of the firm ride and poor handling compared to the best cars in its class. A four-star Euro NCAP safety rating is also below the scores set by some rivals.

The 208 and E-208 range received a mid-life update in late 2023. This consisted of lightly revised styling and some interior technology upgrades, but is fundamentally the same car underneath.

As of September 2025, the Peugeot 208 has a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 63%. It scores top marks for its low CO₂ emissions, while its running costs are also good. However, its safety score and reliability record are only average, while Peugeot’s new car warranty coverage is very poor.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatchback
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £20,245 on-road

Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: Summer 2025
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Peugeot 208 has eye-catching looks and is pleasant to drive, but rivals are more practical and offer better value.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Shane Wilkinson, Max Adams

“The Peugeot 208 is a stylish small hatchback that’s oh-so-desirable, but it’s not very practical.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Mario Christou

More reviews

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Peugeot 208 offers something sufficiently distinctive to make Brits question their devotion to the stuck-in-a-rut Ford Fiesta, and sufficiently samey to pose a dilemma for Vauxhall Corsa loyalists – 208 and Corsa are duplicates under the skin, bar ride and handling and specification tweaks.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Peugeot has significantly improved the 208 in just about every area – dishing out an incredibly stylish and appealing model that will have massive appeal to those looking for a desirable city car.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Peugeot 208 hatchback is a modern, stylish supermini with a future-proof engine range but it’s a shame it’s not more fun to drive.”
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Allure
“A smart supermini that will win buyers with its looks and grown-up drive.”
Read review

Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic GT Line
Score: 8 / 10
“The all-new Peugeot 208 supermini looks fantastic – even if it isn’t quite the best in its class.”
Read review

Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic GT Line
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Peugeot 208 is an excellent all-round car. It’s fun and sporty on country roads, it’s easy to live with in the city, and it feels like a refined car from a class above on the motorway. It also looks good and the interior has an interesting modern dashboard. There are very few weak points, aside from the fact that it could be easier to access information on the infomedia system.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“You have to go all the way back to the 205 to find a small car Peugeot could genuinely be proud of, but the new Peugeot 208 rights that wrong. From its lion-like exterior to its dashing, infotainment-heavy interior, comfortable drive and excellent petrol engines, the 208 is a class act that’s well worth consideration.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual
“With its stylish looks and superb interior, we think the Peugeot 208 is a car that will sell itself as soon as potential buyers enter showrooms. It’s not perfect – the infotainment system is frustrating, there are more practical choices available and some will prefer how the Ford Fiesta drives – but it’s a car that’ll appeal to both head and heart.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The interior of the Peugeot 208 GT-Line feels just as upmarket as bigger and more expensive Peugeot models like the 508 and 3008 with a similar i-cockpit in which you look over the small steering wheel at the driver display rather than through it.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Smart looks – even smarter tech and engineering”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol GT Line
“It will sell like hot sausage rolls on looks alone. And it’s the same story inside. But it’s a bit of a case of style over substance, if I’m brutally honest. The ride quality isn’t brilliant. It’s a bit jiggly. The boot has shrunk. And Peugeot’s signature small steering wheel doesn’t work in this car — particularly for taller drivers who like to sit low.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“Lovely package massively let down by ride and handling”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Active
Score: 8 / 10
“Compared to the Renault Clio, the Peugeot 208 is more enjoyable and more comfortable to drive. It’s easier too, and when you’re dealing with traffic in town, where these cars will usually be found, that counts for a lot.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual GT Line
Score: 8 / 10
“Great-looking or over the top? It depends on your point of view, but there’s no denying the design work that’s gone into this car, on which so many hopes are pinned. Launching one car with petrol, diesel and battery drivetrains is brave, but perhaps far-sighted. Either way, it’s entertaining, good fun and unmistakably French.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“A supremely desirable, futuristic ‘mini with a powertrain for everyone. Just beware the firm ride”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: November 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 56%
Safety assist: 71%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.2-litre petrol manual 100hp

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: November 2020
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 4.7 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.2 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.1 / 10

Model tested: 1.5 Blue HDI 100 diesel 4X2 manual

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: July 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 5.1 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 7.2 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 4.5 / 10

Three stars

The Peugeot 208 1.2-litre petrol variant of the 208 achieved a three-star eco r ating from Green NCAP in November 2021, while the 1.5-litre diesel version was awarded a three-star eco rating from in July 2021.

Green NCAP said: “The Peugeot 208 1.5 BlueHDi 100 represents the latest in diesel technology and performs well. It achieves high scores for Energy Efficiency. The Greenhouse Gas Index is the weakest of the three areas of assessment, but the Peugeot emerges with a solid three-star rating.”

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	53 mpg	B
Diesel models	73 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	108 g/km	A
Diesel models	108 g/km	A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	23	B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£168	B
Year 2	£503	B
Year 3	£759	B
Year 4	£997	B
Year 5	£1,372	B
Overall	£3,799	B

The Peugeot 208 should be a very cheap car to own and run, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption for the petrol models are good, while the diesel models are excellent (although few of them were sold before the diesel-engined 208s were discontinued). The CO₂ levels for both models are excellent.

Insurance costs are competitive, as are servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years. Some small cars are cheaper to run, but the Peugeot 208 is still a cheap car to own and live with.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 206
Average repair cost: £556.36
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Peugeot 208 has a reliability score that’s about average, according to workshop and warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation 208 and the previous (pre-2019) versions.

Unfortunately, the most frequently reported problems with the 208 relate to its engine, which can lead to a bill in the range of £1,200. A common car on UK roads, MotorEasy has received several warranty claims for electrical system, suspension and braking system faults, but these types of repairs are comparatively much cheaper to fix.

If you’re looking at a used Peugeot 208, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Peugeot 208

Overall ratingE17%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles

Peugeot’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).

Warranty on a used Peugeot 208

If you are purchasing an ‘Approved Used’ 208 from an official Peugeot dealership, you will get a minimum six-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used 208 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used 208 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Peugeot 208

2024

2023

2022

2020

Date: April 2024
Recall number: R/2024/176
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2023 to 02/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 445
Defect: Incorrect MCU (motor control unit) calibration may result in a loss of propulsion while driving.
Remedy: Update the MCU calibration.

Date: March 2024
Recall number: R/2024/135
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2022 to 11/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 550
Defect: On affected vehicles below 12,500 miles, under certain, conditions engine emissions may lead to a non-compliance to regulatory requirements.
Remedy: Check the mileage of the vehicle and update the ECU (engine control unit) calibration on vehicles below 12,500 miles.

Date: March 2024
Recall number: R/2024/117
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2023 to 11/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 21
Defect: Affected vehicles may have been assembled with the wrong instrument panel cluster, which may display the speed in KM/H instead of MPH.
Remedy: Check the instrument cluster and replace it if necessary.

Date: December 2023
Recall number: R/2023/353
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2023 to 11/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 375
Defect: The A-pillar trim may be incorrectly assembled, which could lead to detachment of the trim through lateral airbag deployment.
Remedy: Remove A-pillar trim check clip assembly and refit correctly if necessary.

Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/140
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2019 to 11/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 29,537
Defect: The AC compressor stator wiring could develop a fault, leading to current loss inside the AC compressor that could result in a vehicle powertrain shutdown when driving.
Remedy: Reprogram the powertrain diagnosis ECU with updated software.

Date: December 2022
Recall number: R/2022/347
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 4
Defect: Some braking and suspension components may not have been tightened to the correct torque during assembly.
Remedy: Check and tighten affected bolts to the correct torque.

Date: September 2022
Recall number: R/2022/285
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 2
Defect: Various component fixings which have not been tightened to the correct torque settings due to incorrect tightening operations during the assembly.
Remedy: Retighten the affected component fixings to assure the correct torque tightening.

Date: May 2020
Recall number: R/2020/166
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2019 to 03/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 10
Defect: The steering geometry could be incorrectly set due to an incorrectly calibrated setting rig in the manufacturing plant.
Remedy: Check the steering alignment and adjust if set incorrectly. If the front tyres are worn, these will also be replaced.

Date: May 2020
Recall number: R/2020/164
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2019 to 12/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 107
Defect: The fixing of the front wing wheel arch trim does not conform to specification.
Remedy: The repair consists of adding an additional fixing screw to the bottom of the front wheel arch trim.

Date: February 2020
Recall number: R/2020/038
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: The routing of the rear brake pipes may not be correct and could cause them to fail.
Remedy: Check and replace affected pipes if necessary.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been ten DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the current Peugeot 208 to address different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Peugeot dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Peugeot 208, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.