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  • 208

Peugeot 208 vs Mazda 2 & Hyundai i20 - pictures

By:Auto Express team
30 Jul 2015
Go to: Peugeot 208 vs Mazda 2 & Hyundai i20
  • Hyundai vs Peugeot vs Mazda

    The Peugeot 208 has been given a mid-life refresh. We find out if the changes are enough to keep near the top of the supermini class. But with stiff competition in the form of the Mazda 2 and Hyundai i20, how will it fare? 

  • Peugeot 208 - front tracking

    Here we test the 208 in BlueHDi Allure spec. It's powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 99bhp. With all the options included on this car, it comes in at a dizzying £19,220. Without the options, it costs £17,045. 

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  • Peugeot 208 - rear tracking

    The new 208 is refined on the move, but it tends to fidget on the motorway. The diesel engine makes more noise than its rivals here, but the Peugeot has plenty of punch. 

  • Peugeot 208 - front cornering

    The driving experience is pretty much as it was, with surprisingly firm suspension and quick steering. There's strong grip and composure, too. 

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  • Peugeot 208 - interior

    Inside, the small steering wheel can obstruct the view of the dials, but the cabin is well built. The touchscreen infotainment system can be fiddly, though. 

  • Peugeot 208 - gearlever

    Long throw of the 208's five-speed manual gearbox meant that the car didn't perform brilliantly through the gears in our acceleration tests. 

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  • Peugeot 208 - rear seats

    Rear seat space is good, with more room than you'll find in the Mazda, plus there's plenty of storage throughout the cabin. 

  • Peugeot 208 - boot

    208 has a 285-litre boot that increases to 1,076 litres with the back seats folded. The load lip is quite high and the tailgate opening is on the small side. 

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  • Peugeot 208 - mirror

    Peugeot offers a range of optional styling packs for the 208, giving buyers the chance to personalise the car to their heart's content. 

  • Peugeot 208 - badge and rear lights

    208 is the cheapest company car choice in this test thanks to CO2 emissions of just 87g/km and the lowest list price. 

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  • Peugeot 208 - front static

    While the update is only minor, Peugeot has tweaked the 208 in all the right places. The front end looks tidier, and the personalisation options give it a premium edge, too.

  • Peugeot 208 - rear static

    Some niggles remain in the 208, like the awkward driving position and troublesome infotainment system. 

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  • Peugeot 208 nose

    LED daytime running lights and bright colour accents on the 208 make it stand out from the rest of the supermini crowd. 

  • Mazda 2 - front tracking

    We've already been impressed by the Mazda 2, so we test the 1.5-litre D Sport Nav here to see if it can continue its success. 

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  • Mazda 2 - rear tracking

    This is the top-spec model and produces 104bhp; priced at £17,395. 

  • Mazda 2 - front cornering

    The Mazda 2 darts through corners with impressive agility. There's plenty of grip and the excellent damping keeps everything under control. 

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  • Mazda 2 - interior

    The Mazda's interior has plenty of upmarket appeal. but there are some hard plastics present. Touchscreen dominates the dash, but it can be controlled via an iDrive-style controller located on the centre console. 

  • Mazda 2 - dials

    Large speedometer in the centre of the instrument cluster is a nice touch, with the rev counter and trip computer on either side. 

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  • Mazda 2 - rear seats

    Rear serves up decent head and legroom, but dark trim and small windows make it feel a little claustrophobic. 

  • Mazda 2 - boot

    The Mazda's boot is the smallest in this test - at 280 litres - and this increases to 950 litres with the rear bench folded. 

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  • Mazda 2 - badge

    Weight-saving SkyActiv tech sees the 2 tip the scales at 1,040kg. This means it's impressively efficient and contributes to the car's enjoyable driving experience. 

  • Mazda 2 - front static

    Mazda's latest Kodo design language translates well onto the 2, with bold creases and curves, rising wasit and swooping roofline combining to make an attractive supermini. 

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  • Mazda 2 - rear static

    The car looks a little bulbous and heavy-handed at the rear compared with the rest of the car, but overall the 2 is a smart and distinctive small car. 

  • Hyundai i20 - front tracking

    The latest Hyundai i20 matches the class best for quality, practicality and value, plus the diesel version has also beaten the VW Polo 1.4 TDI previously. Here we test it in 1.4 CRDi Premium SE guise, although the car in these pictures

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  • Hyundai i20 - rear tracking

    It costs £17,025 - but it comes packed with standard kit, upmarket interior and smart styling. 

  • Hyundai i20 - front cornering

    Electronically assisted steering is precise in corners, with well contained body roll and plenty of grip. The low-speed ride is firm, though. 

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  • Hyundai i20 - interior

    The Hyundai is spacious inside thanks to clever packaging. It's full of top-quality materials, but it looks dated compared with the rivals in this test. 

  • Hyundai i20 - gearlever

    Leather-trimmed gearknob contributes to the i20's premium feel inside. 

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  • Hyundai i20 - rear seats

    Rear can seat three adults in comfort. 

  • Hyundai i20 - boot

    301-litre boot is the biggest here and can be extended to 1,017 litres when the 60:40 split rear seats are folded. 

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  • Hyundai i20 - badge

    Hyundai's grown-up approach to the i20 makes it easy to live with on a daily basis. The five-year warranty and solid build quality, plus a composed and refined drive combine to make it a sensible long-term proposition. 

  • Hyundai i20 - front static

    While the i20 is smartly styled and well finished, it lacks the best superminis' flair, particularly inside. The exterior packs plenty of kerb appeal, though, especially compared to the previous model. 

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  • Hyundai i20 - rear static

    The i20 isn't as sharply styled as the 208 and Mazda in this test, but it's a handsome and well proportioned machine. 

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