Peugeot 208 - MPG, CO2 and running costs

As with most superminis, the Peugeot 208 is best suited to urban commutes and shorter journeys. With this in mind, it’s probably the petrol models that will suit you best. They’re cheaper to buy and economical enough and make good sense as an overall package. 

You might expect the least powerful 74bhp 1.2-litre PureTech option to be the best way to keep fuel costs down, but it’s actually the ‘thirstiest’ version – although 55.3mpg and 120g/km of CO2 emissions aren’t likely to upset anyone’s bank balance. We’d actually recommend the more powerful 99bhp 1.2 PureTech because it has slightly better economy at 58.2mpg and lower emissions of 114g/km.

There’s a bit of a jump with the 99bhp mild-hybrid model, because it has a combined figure of 65.9mpg and emissions of just 101g/km, while the 154bhp version found in the GT still manages a highly creditable 60.1mpg, and 104g/km. The downside of both of these versions is that they cost more than the 99bhp PureTech, and it’ll take a long while to earn back that additional expense in fuel savings.

The mild-hybrid models will be more popular with company car drivers due to lower emissions and, therefore, reduced Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) company car tax costs. However, the hybrid Toyota Yaris has even lower emissions of 92g/km, potentially saving you more money.

Electric range, battery and charging

If you think an electric car fits into your lifestyle, it’s certainly worth considering the E-208, even in spite of the list price hike over petrol and mild-hybrid versions of the French marque’s supermini. 

The 134bhp, 50kWh battery version offers an official WLTP range of up to 225 miles, making it ideal for many short commutes and even some longer drives if needed. The more powerful 154bhp, 51kWh version will boost the E-208's range up to 248 miles.

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The similar battery sizes mean that both versions of E-208 can be fully charged from a 7kW home wallbox in 7.5 hours, while a 10 to 80 per cent top-up from a 100kW DC rapid charger will take about 30 minutes. 

Those range and charging speed numbers are competitive, but an MG4 can be had with greater battery capacity and more range, plus it can be charged at a faster peak rate of 150kW to compensate for its additional battery capacity.

Insurance groups

Petrol-powered versions of the Peugeot 208 are generally cheaper to insure than the equivalent electric model, but that is not to say they cost less compared to other supermini rivals such as the Renault Clio.

The base 74bhp petrol sits in group 12 (out of 50), with the more powerful 99bhp and 128bhp versions ranging from group 19-25. In comparison, the Renault Clio starts in group 11 for the 90 TCe petrol, rising to group 15 for the E-Tech hybrid models.

The E-208 is more expensive to insure, landing in groups 26-28.

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Depreciation

Residual values for the Mk2 208 are much stronger than the previous-generation model, which only retained between 33-36 per cent of its value after three years. 

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That being said, the E-208 is the worst offender in the range, and only retains 36-37 per cent of its value after three years and 36,000 miles of motoring, with the entry-level Active holding on to its value the least proficient and the best version being the mid-range Allure in 154bhp form. 

The petrol and mild-hybrid models do better, retaining between 48-50 per cent (the best being the 99bhp PureTech Allure, with the 99bhp PureTech Active losing the most value). That’s on a par with the VW Polo, but behind rivals such as the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris, with some models maintaining 53 per cent of their resale value. None can match the Audi A1, which, in 30 TFSI Sport form, retains 61 per cent of its resale value.

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