Peugeot 208 GTI

Six word summary

French manufacturer revives hot hatch segment

What is it?

Peugeot must almost rue the day it built the original 205 GTI, defining what a hot hatch could and should do. Every successive effort by the French firm has been held up to comparison with the 205 and, so far, been found wanting. However, the 208 GTI finally steps out from this shadow as a hot hatch just as much in step with current times as the 205 was in its day.

What’s it like?

While the 208 GTI shuns the lairy wheelarch extensions that marked out the original 205 GTI, the new car still has an understated style that sets it apart from humdrum versions of Peugeot’s supermini. There are also snazzy 17in all0y wheels as standard and a lowered ride height to give it that sporting stance.

Inside, there is more of a nod to the 208’s famous ancestor with red and checked seat cloth. There are also some flashes of red on the doors and dash to lift the GTI’s cabin above the dullness of the ordinary models in the line-up. It’s a welcome look and makes the 208 GTI’s interior feel more sporty and special than the Ford Fiesta’s somewhat lacklustre affair.

The slightly odd driving position of the 208 is addressed to some extent in the GTI with its bucket seats that hold the driver more firmly in place. They also position the driver lower in the car, so the steering wheel does not feel as it’s poking into your thighs. With reasonable room in the rear for this class of car and a decent boot, the 208 GTI has the everyday hot hatch side of things sewn up.

If you’re expecting a ‘but’ at this point about the driving experience not living up to the cabin’s promise, we’re going to have to disappoint you. Peugeot may have made some real duff moves with its cars in recent memory, but the 208 GTI is not one of them.

The 1.6-litre turbo engine makes just enough noise when started and revved to underscore its hot hatch credentials without become bothersome on longer motorway stretches. With 200bhp on tap, it’s right in the fight with its class contenders and Peugeot has also come up with a reasonably smooth, snicky shift for the six-speed manual gearbox. It doesn’t quite thrust and parry through the gait like a Fiesta’s ST’s, but it’s good enough to use just for the fun of it.

This is also true of the 208’s ride and handling balance. Neither are quite as ultimately hot hatch-defining as the Ford’s, but they are very easy to live with for an athletic small car. For those who will rack up the miles, the 208 could be the better bet for all-day comfort, and it’s helped by 47.9mpg average economy.

However, steer on to a country road and the 208 can also live with its key rivals. It has a very safe, secure handling set-up that lets you push hard into and out of corners, making the most of the power and grip. The steering is responsive and offers decent feel, though it’s not as alive in your hands as the Ford’s.

The overall competence of the 208 GTI could almost count against it and we’re sure some buyers will want the more edgy experience provided by the Ford Fiesta ST. For a broader audience, however, the 208 GTI is entirely in step with many buyers’ desires for a sporty small car that is also easy to live and cheap to run.

Verdict

Peugeot finally puts the 205 GTI legacy to rest with the arrival of the 208 GTI. It’s a fun, able small hot hatch and, while missing the Ford Fiesta’s ultimate verve, is very easy to live with and make the most of every time you feel like a shot of hot hatch amusement.

Alisdair Suttie