SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Streamlined: 2022 Peugeot 208 1.2T Allure mt 6

Sporty little car

Pics by author
Posted: April 1, 2022

The numbers
Price: R365 900
Engine: 1199 cc, DOHC, 12-valve, three-cylinder turbopetrol
Power: 74 kW between 3900 and 5600 rpm
Torque: 205 Nm at 1750 rpm, with 90 percent available between 1350 and 3700 rpm
0-100 km/h: 8.8 seconds
Top speed: 188 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.1 l/100 km
Tank: 44 litres
Luggage: 309 – 1004 litres VDA
Turning circle: 10.4 metres
Ground clearance: 119 mm
Standard tyre: 195/55R16
Spare: Same size on steel rim.
Warranty: Five years, 100 000 km
Service plan: Three years, 60 000 km

As usually happens with new generations our latest Peugeot 208 is longer, by 92mm, than the one that went before, 6mm wider and 30mm lower. Therein lies the rub. Literally. Those familiar with 208s will know that this car, being French and therefore different, requires its pilot to look above the steering wheel to view the instruments, rather than through it.
 
But the squished-down body now makes it difficult to find a happy compromise between looking over the wheel and squeezing a 1.84-metre pilot’s legs beneath it. It can be done, but…

While whining about cramped quarters let’s also mention that back seat accommodation for big people is still “short” despite the new car’s added length. But despite these reservations, New 208 is a fine little car; winner of many awards, top seller in Europe during 2021 and its boot capacity grew by 24 litres.

Updated styling features include: New front bumper; wider, fully integrated grille; fang effect daytime running lights; new two-tone headlamps; restyled front fog lamps and new wheels. Some models have dual rear spoilers and inside, the hot feature is an i-Cockpit with new steering wheel and 3-D effect instruments. These are virtual, coloured in restful blue and give the impression that the main instruments are floating in front of the minor dials. Not to everyone’s taste unfortunately; the previous model’s analogue instruments were clearer and easier to read.

The local range consists of four models encompassing three versions of the 1200cc engine, three trim levels and three gearboxes. Rather than confuse readers by attempting to describe all the differences I’ll stick with our mid-range test car, a 74-kW Allure with six-cog manual.

Standard kit includes disc brakes front and rear with ABS, EBA, EBD and ESP; six airbags; powered folding wing mirrors; tyre pressure monitoring; cruise control with limiter; automatic LED headlights; LED running lights, tail lamps and indicator repeaters; automatic climate control; anti-pinch powered windows; push-button starter; mechanically adjustable cloth and vinyl seats; mechanical handbrake; automatic locking on the move; 7” capacitive colour touchscreen; rear parking sensors and reversing camera. Basically, all the stuff one needs without getting silly.

Further, it runs like a wild child, the manual ‘box is butter-smooth, the stick remains within easy reach and its ride is firm yet supple. And its front seats are pleasantly supportive when getting on with why one buys a sporty little car in the first place. Outright performance is almost as quick as its 96-kW automatic sisters so, for me, this is possibly the pick of the crop.

The boot loads at about 72 cm into a well 18 cm deep. The space is lit and the seatbacks fold 60:40, leaving a step. The rear seat area features a full set of head restraints and belts, map pockets, panic handles for the faint hearted and three drinks holders but no courtesy light over the back seat when strapping little children in safely after dark. As mentioned above, people room is for the medium sized only.

The new Peugeot 208 is a great little car but, given a choice, I’d stick with the older version because it fits me better.

Test unit from Stellantis SA press fleet



What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.