Peugeot 208 hatchback (2012-2019) - Interior & comfort
The Peugeot 208 has a nice interior, but some rivals are more comfortable
Every Peugeot 208 has a height-adjustable driver’s seat, which makes it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel no matter what size you are. Visibility is pretty decent, but the Peugeot has thick windscreen pillars that can restrict your vision when pulling out of junctions or onto roundabouts.
Suspension that offered a sporty drive while also being comfortable used to be a Peugeot specialty, but that's not what you get in the 208 – it feels quite firm over bumps and potholes.
The diesel model comes with a six-speed gearbox to improve fuel economy and reduce engine noise at speed, but the entry-level petrol makes do with a five-speed gearbox.
Peugeot 208 dashboard
The Peugeot 208’s interior is neither as well built as the Volkswagen Polo's or as nice to look at as the Ford Fiesta's. Soft-touch plastics are used extensively and the dashboard is pretty stylish.
The interior has one major flaw, though: the speedometer sits right behind the rim of the steering wheel, so many drivers won't be able to see it when the wheel is adjusted to their liking. You may have to move the wheel down into your lap to see it, which makes for an awkward driving position. Some people may find the steering wheel unusually small, too.
Equipment
The Peugeot 208 model range used to be quite confusing, as Peugeot offered different trim levels on the three and five-door versions. However, the brand has discontinued the three-door and streamlined some of the trims, so they're now a little easier to get your head around.
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The 208 comes in Active, Signature and GT Line trims. There's also a Tech Edition trim that should appeal to anyone downsizing from a larger model.
While these specification levels still aren’t the easiest to understand, they are at least generous. Active is the cheapest model, but basic it's not. You'll find LED rear lights, air-conditioning, cruise control and Peugeot’s touchscreen entertainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility) as standard.
The Signature trim also offers 16-inch wheels, rear parking sensors and Peugeot’s Visibility pack, including auto headlights and wipers, and a dimming rear mirror.
The Tech Edition model has a sporty look with a neat set of alloy wheels, chrome door mirror caps and tinted side windows. It also carries cruise control, dual zone air conditioning, sat nav and a DAB radio. Front and rear parking sensors along with a rear-view camera should make parking in tight city streets less of a hassle.
GT Line trim offers the sporty looks of the 208 GTi hot hatch which is no longer available. It has 17-inch alloys, red detailing, sports seats and a sports steering wheel are standard, along with climate control.
Options
Metallic paint is a £545 option, but we think it's a box worth ticking on the order form. It'll make the car more appealing to buyers when you sell it. Sat nav is another useful addition – yours for £500 on the Signature models, but not available on the Active trim level. A glass panoramic sunroof can be ordered on Tech Edition and GT Line cars for £400 while a rear-view camera (£200) can be added on the Signature and GT Line.
