Peugeot 208 GTI (2013 – 2019) Review
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Peugeot 208 GTI (2013 – 2019) At A Glance
Big improvement on the 207 GTi. Classy interior. Fun to drive.
Lacks the handling finesse of other hot hatches. Is expensive compared to the Fiesta ST.
Peugeot has a Jekyll and Hyde reputation when it comes to building hot hatchbacks. Inspired by the brilliance of the 205 GTi, Peugeot ploughed significant resources into its hot hatch programme, but the resulting 206 GTi and 207 GTi left many feeling cold, with underpowered engines and stodgy handling. Now it is the turn of the 208 to get the GTi treatment, but has Peugeot finally built a worthy successor to the 205's crown?
When it comes to outright power, the new 208 is a huge improvement. In fact, the 208 GTi is the most powerful model to emerge from Peugeot’s hot hatch stable, with 200PS and a top speed of 143mph. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, which is the same unit found in the RCZ. It powers the 208 GTi from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds, yet returns a claimed 47.9mpg.
The new GTi is also lighter than the old 207 GTi, but doesn't suffer from a hard ride thanks to a softer suspension set up. This means the 208 GTi has a surprisingly comfortable ride, with the suspension soaking up lumps and bumps without fuss.
Peugeot has also sharpened the exterior, with a body kit, red brake callipers, chequered flag motif grille and a scattering of GTi logos. The sporty 208 doesn’t stand out from the crowd like a Ford Fiesta ST or RenaultSport Clio, but it is attractive enough to warrant a second glance.
Inside the cabin the Peugeot is comfortable and pleasant, with leather seats, racing steering wheel and high quality trim. Admittedly, the layout of the dashboard isn’t the best – some of the dials are difficult to read – but the 208 GTi is serine enough for running the family around in.
Overall, the 208 GTi is quick, fun to drive and extremely comfortable. We particularly like its useable nature and the fact it doubles up nicely as a family car. However, it does fall short of its chief rival - the Fiesta ST.
We found the soft set to be great for daily driving, but the lack of feel in the ride works against the GTi when it’s pushed hard. The problem is compounded by overweight power steering, which makes the car feel vauge and numb, making it difficult to judge how much grip the car has mid-corner. The Peugeot isn’t cheap either, with an entry level model costing considerably more than a comparable Fiesta ST.
Reviews for Peugeot 208 GTI (2013 – 2019)'s top 3 rivals
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Peugeot 208 GTI (2013 – 2019) handling and engines
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 32–49 mpg
The Peugeot 208 GTi is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, which is the same unit found in the RCZ. The 1.6-litre engine is not short of raw pace and will power the 208 GTi from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds, yet return a claimed 47.9mpg. Emissions are 139g/km of CO2 – 15 per cent less than the old 207 GTi.
With 275Nm of torque available from just 1700rpm, the 1.6-litre engine is extremely quick, which makes for excellent mid-range acceleration. One of the big plus points for the old 205 GTi was its top end speed and the 208 doesn’t disappoint here either, with plenty of high range acceleration to the red line in fifth and sixth gears.
The six-speed manual ‘box works really well and employs a smooth and snappy gearchange that encourages the driver to rattle up and down the ratios at will. The ‘box is also well suited to low speed driving and the 208 GTi will happily sit in third gear for the mid-afternoon pootle to the shops. On the downside, the engine is rather quiet and lacks any notable exhaust note.
The 208 GTi has had considerable weight savings and is 1160kg lighter than the old 207 GTi, which makes it a lot more nimble in in the corners. However, as commendable as the improvements in weight are, they are undermined by a soft suspension set up, with overzealous power steering and numb handling. The result is a car that never feels engaging or raw, which are key ingredients to any hot hatch.
Things do improve when you employ the 208 GTi as a daily runner, with the soft set up providing a pleasant and serine ride that makes it perfect for doubling up as transport for the school run. The 208 also excels as a motorway cruiser. with its added punch making for confident overtaking.
However, there’s no getting away from the fact that the 208 GTi is lacking in any form of driver engagement and this makes it difficult to recommend over its key rival, the Fiesta ST. On paper, the Peugeot is quicker than the Ford, but it never feels it due to its dumbed down handling and woolly ride.
We have no doubt that many older drivers – or those with family commitments – will enjoy the 208 GTi due to its soft and friendly nature, but anyone wanting a true all-round hot hatch experience will be left disappointed.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 THP | 48–52 mpg | 6.5–6.8 s | 125–139 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Peugeot 208 GTI (2013 – 2019)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
81%
Real MPG
32–49 mpg
MPGs submitted
75
Peugeot 208 GTI (2013 – 2019) interior
- Boot space is 285–1076 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3962–3973 mm |
| Width | 2004 mm |
| Height | 1460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2538 mm |
Peugeot has really improved the quality of its interiors in recent years and the 208 GTi is no exception. All of the cabin fixtures are well constructed, with tight fittings and flush finishes. Admittedly, some of the cover plastics feel a bit flimsy - the two-tone colour finish looks a bit tacky too – but on the whole the 208 GTi is a pleasant place to be.
Both the driver and front passenger get a set of leather sports seats, which offer plenty of back and upper leg support that make them comfortable for daily use. Sometimes sports seats can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, but Peugeot has done a good job of combating this and you don’t get the usual pinch in the shoulders that you normally get with racing inspired seating.
The 208 GTi is spacious too and the leather seats in the back provide sufficient head and leg room for all but the largest of adults. In the front there’s no lack of space and the driver gets an excellent view of the road. However, we took an instant dislike to the layout of the dials, which are placed too far back for the driver to see clearly and are prone to be obscured by the top of the steering wheel.
Like the standard 208, the GTi gets a small steering wheel that is well suited to the car's hot hatch overtures. Not only does the wheel provide a fit to the centre of your palms, but it is also covered in soft touch material that makes it pleasant to use. But we do question the decision to have a separate stalk for the cruise control and speed limiter, which is fitted to the steering column and difficult to operate. We’d have preferred an extra set of buttons on the wheel.
All of the infotainment controls are operated via a seven-inch touchscreen, which dominates the centre of the dashboard and is easy to read. The touchscreen system has a large and colourful display that gives trip information and fuel data. The screen also controls the car’s audio and navigation and it took us just a few minutes to work out the operations for the DAB radio, MP3 player and sat nav.
The GTi also has a decent sized boot with 285 litres, which makes it ideal for the weekly shop and the rear seats can be flattened to extend the loadbay to 1152 litres.
Standard equipment levels:
GTi comes with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, air con, DAB radio, leather seats and steering wheel, automatic lights and wipers, alarm, rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports exhaust, chrome door mirrors and LED running lights
GTi Prestige adds heated sports seats, a panoramic glass roof with ambient lighting, sat nav and cornering assist front fog lights
Peugeot 208 GTI (2013 – 2019) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3962–3973 mm |
| Width | 2004 mm |
| Height | 1460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2538 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1160 kg |
| Boot Space | 285–1076 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 16000–20000 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Full-size spare wheel | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £19,100–£23,855 |
| Insurance Groups | 30–34 |
| Road Tax Bands | D–E |
| Official MPG | 47.9–52.3 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 5 |
On sale until February 2019
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 THP GTI Prestige Start+Stop 3dr | £22,125 | 52.3 mpg | 6.5 s |
| 1.6 THP GTI Sport Start+Stop 3dr | £23,855 | 52.3 mpg | 6.5 s |
On sale until October 2017
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 THP GTI Start+Stop 3dr | £20,050 | 52.3 mpg | 6.5 s |
On sale until August 2015
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| GTi 1.6 30th 208 3dr | £21,995 | 52.3 mpg | 6.5 s |
| GTi 1.6 THP 200 3dr | £19,100 | 47.9 mpg | 6.8 s |
| GTi 1.6 THP Prestige 200 3dr | £19,950 | 47.9 mpg | 6.8 s |
Model History
- February 2012: GTI Concept Shown
- September 2012: Peugeot announces 208 GTI
- September 2012: On sale in the UK
- October 2014: Peugeot 208 GTI 30th launched
February 2012
GTI Concept Shown
Instantly characterised by being the performance icon of the 208, it features chequered-flag motifs that embellish the metal mesh of the grille, and the lower bar proudly affirms its origin by displaying the French ‘Le Tricolour’ flag or the Union Jack when in the UK.
Other distinctive exterior features include: double chromed exhaust tailpipes, aero lower bodywork spoilers and lower sill skirt extensions that all capture the signature badging. Placed within the grille is the brushed aluminium GTi Concept logo that can also be found on the rear quarter panels, as a salute to its illustrious predecessor - the legendary 205 GTi.
On the inside, the passenger compartment is a true GTi environment, with a characteristic sports leather stitched steering wheel, the treatment of which is replicated on the sides of the gear lever, double stitching in the seats and enhanced with LED backlighting to the surrounds of the high-tech instruments. The sports seats are trimmed with Nappa leather on the outer section, and cloth in the centre with an embossed tartan motif, and a leather head restraint.
September 2012
Peugeot announces 208 GTI
Following the launch of the new 208 in June 2012, Peugeot announced that the 208 GTi will go on sale in Spring 2013.
Defined on a widened track by 10mm at the front and 20mm at the rear, these three-door models are specially identified by bodywork components which enhance the overall effect, with wheels that hug the arches and with body sills and wing extensions that enhance its visual appearance.
The seats combine full grain Club Nappa leather and Caro Weave cloth, made more dynamic by a red line detail. The dashboard with red overstitching has a decoration of red graduating to black, matching the door crossbars. The vehicle performance information is provided via the high-mounted instrument panel. Technological, it is equipped with a colour matrix, surrounded by dials with a chromed bead back-lit in red by LEDs. On their brushed aluminium background, decorated with a gloss black chequered motif, the white needles rise through to the red zone.
Agile and reactive, the 208 GTi balances from one turn to the next with complete precision. Controlled by the steering, the settings of which have been revised to increase firmness, the front suspension returns the information perfectly and responsively. The rear suspension is also well tuned for safe and involved driving. Fitted with 205/45 tyres, the 17-inch diamond Carbon wheels, with Storm paint and matt varnish, house 302mm ventilated discs at the front and 249mm at the rear. Cooled by dynamic air intakes, they provide controlled and incisive braking.
The 1.6-litre THP 200bhp petrol engine expresses itself through a reworked exhaust system. As soon as the ignition is switched on, it emits an appealing sound that delights the ears, at all engine speeds. Coupled with a manual gearbox with six, close-ratio gears, the engine draws the full potential from this chassis. With its maximum torque of 275Nm and its maximum power of 147kW (200bhp), the 208 GTi has the potential of acceleration to the highest level. 0 to 62mph is reached in less than 7.0 seconds. In-gear re-acceleration is equally impressive, with the 208 GTi accelerating from 50 to 75mph in less than 7.0 seconds in fifthgear. This performance benefits from the improvement achieved from lightening the weight of the vehicle.
September 2012
On sale in the UK
It's powered by the turbocharged 1.6-litre THP with 200bhp, an engine that's already fitted in the impressive RCZ. This gives the little 208 a 0-62mph time of less than 7.0 seconds and Peugeot is promising strong in-gear performance helped by a kerbweight of just 1160kg and torque of 275Nm. The GTi also gets a reworked exhaust and close-ratio six - speed manual gearbox. Official economy is around 45mpg and CO2 is 145g/km.
Comes with revised suspension, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars while there's an enhanced front subframe and a more rigid rear crossmember. The steering has been made firmer, plus there are 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/45 tyres. There's also a 10mm wider track at the front and 20mm wider at the back.
To celebrate the launch of the 208 GTi, Peugeot is to sell 29 special editions in the UK - one for each year since the 205 was introduced. These special editions will be individually numbered and get a higher standard specification including an exclusive satin pearl paint job and DAB radio. The 208 GTi Limited Edition will be priced at £20,495.
October 2014
Peugeot 208 GTI 30th launched
A new Euro6 emissions-compliant 1.6-litre THP petrol engine develops more torque and has had its power output increased to 208PS. A Torsen differential helps drivers exploit the extra power in corners. And matt black trim on the exterior, along with the optional ‘Coupe Franche’ paint finish – where the red at the rear is cleanly divided from the main black body colour – makes it stand out from the regular 208 GTi.
Ordering for the limited run of 100 cars to be sold in the UK has opened. It goes on sale in November with prices starting at £21,995.
What to watch out for
'Gong' sound means that car battery is failing to hold sufficient charge and needs to be replaced.
