Skip advert
Advertisement

Peugeot 208 GTi

We try the new Peugeot 208 GTi on UK roads. Does it have what it takes to topple the Fiesta ST?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Peugeot 208
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Bravo Peugeot – the 208 GTi is a pleasant surprise after the disappointing 207 and 206 GTis. It’s quite happy to entertain you when you want to have some fun, but is never tiresome to drive when you don’t. In this way, it’s a proper ‘have your cake and eat it’ car. Ultimately, though, the 208 simply won’t make you laugh out loud in the way the more entertaining and cheaper Ford Fiesta ST will.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Peugeot 208 GTi has a huge responsibility. It’s charged with recreating the brilliance of the original 205 GTi – which the hot versions of the 206 and 207 failed to emulate.

But rather than going for an overtly sporty, in-your-face approach, Peugeot wants the 208 to be both comfortable and fun – much like the Volkswagen Polo GTI. But has it succeeded? Auto Express tested the 208 GTi in the UK for the first time to find out.

From a distance, the 208 GTi just looks like a slightly posher 208 – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Only on closer inspection do you notice the chequered flag-inspired grille, sports exhaust, red brake calipers and body kit.

It’s only when you get inside you really sense the sporty potential. There are red flashes everywhere, a small, thick steering wheel, a classy brushed aluminium gearknob and sports seats that are almost too body-hugging for their own good.This overall subtlety of the GTi’s design is mimicked by the driving experience – turn the key and the 1.6-litre turbo spins to life with little drama.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Range Rover Evoque

2021 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

50,597 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £18,930
View Range Rover Evoque
3 Series

2022 BMW

3 Series

15,529 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £27,197
View 3 Series
Renegade

2022 Jeep

Renegade

29,257 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,999
View Renegade
C5 X

2022 Citroen

C5 X

44,403 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £13,997
View C5 X

Pull away, and the feel of the clutch, steering and gearshift appears to have been weighted for an 80 rather than 18-year-old. And as you pootle down the street and coast over a few cat’s eyes, speed humps and potholes with minimal fuss, you’d never guess you were in one of hottest road cars Peugeot has ever created.

Advertisement - Article continues below

You get the sense this car is trying to keep its darker side a secret – it’s only when you really insist that it reveals its true potential. Floor the throttle, and the 208 GTi needs to wind on some revs before you truly believe you’ve got 197bhp waiting under your right foot.

When you do, though, the 208 GTi really flies. It’s just a shame that, from the inside, the exhaust note never sounds as good as it does from the outside. You also can’t be sure how fast you are going, as the positioning of the instrument cluster means the speedometer is obscured by the steering wheel.

But you won’t be worrying too much about all that, as you thread the nimble GTi through a series of tight bends. And delight at how its fast and responsive steering and widened front track diligently obey your every command. And where the nose goes, the rest of the car faithfully follows.

Some 205 GTi fans may wish the rear end was more mobile, but really the excellent stability of the 208 GTi will get you where you want to go both safer and faster. And when you do find the car’s limit, all you are greeted with is mild and progressive understeer – though you’re only really likely experience this if you turn the stability control off completely.

Make no mistake, you can have hours of fun in the GTi if you want to drive like a loon. And when you decide to calm things down it feels every bit as composed and comfortable as a normal 208.

But here’s the thing: a supermini hot hatch should be a cheeky, provocative little upstart that goads you to drive it just for the sake of it. Sadly, despite its brilliance, the 208 GTi doesn’t do that.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,600
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £15,158
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,271 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £8,595
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota GR Corolla - front cornering

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK

The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there’s room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla
News
19 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month
BMW M135 xDrive - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month

Not many hot hatchbacks are as complete as BMW’s recently updated M135. It’s our Deal of the Day for 19 June.
News
19 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price
Volkswagen ID.7 GTX - front static

Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price

GTX Plus gives some extra punch to an already excellent electric saloon. It’s our Deal of the Day for 20 June.
News
20 Jun 2025