Peugeot 108: Compact City Car With Up To 83mpg

The Peugeot 108 redefines what a city car can offer, blending compact dimensions with surprising practicality, impressive fuel efficiency, and a touch of French flair. Perfect for navigating tight streets and parking in cramped spaces, this hatchback delivers low ownership costs without sacrificing comfort or connectivity. Whether you’re a daily commuter dodging traffic or a first-time buyer on a budget, the 108 proves that small doesn’t mean compromising on quality.

Compact Design Meets Eye-Catching Style

At first glance, the Peugeot 108 captivates with its sleek, modern lines that punch above its weight in the supermini class. Measuring just over 3.5 meters in length, it slips effortlessly into the smallest parking spots, aided by a tight turning circle that makes U-turns a breeze in busy urban environments. The exterior boasts bold front styling with signature Peugeot grille and LED daytime running lights on higher trims, giving it a premium feel despite its entry-level pricing.

Inside, the cabin punches above its class with a driver-focused dashboard. The optional seven-inch touchscreen dominates the center console, integrating seamlessly with DAB radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone mirroring for hassle-free navigation and entertainment. Materials feel sturdy for the segment, with soft-touch plastics and ergonomic controls that enhance the driving experience. Height-adjustable driver’s seat and manual air conditioning come standard on mid-spec models, ensuring comfort during long city crawls.

• Key exterior highlights: Aerodynamic shape for better efficiency, available in vibrant colors.
• Interior perks: Spacious front seats, intuitive infotainment.
• Optional upgrade: Electrically folding fabric roof on Top! versions for open-air driving.

Powertrains: Efficiency Without the Compromise

Under the hood, the Peugeot 108 offers two efficient petrol engines tailored for city life. The base 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit produces 68bhp, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 14.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 99mph, prioritizing economy over outright pace. Official figures claim up to 83.1mpg on rural runs and 62.8mpg in urban conditions, thanks to stop-start technology that shuts off the engine at idle, restarting smoothly when needed.

For those wanting a bit more pep, the 1.2 PureTech engine delivers 82bhp, shaving acceleration to around 11 seconds to 62mph. It maintains stellar efficiency at 65.7mpg combined, with CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km, exempting it from road tax and congestion charges in many areas. Both engines emit a refined thrum, though the 1.2 can feel vibratory at higher revs. Light steering and precise shifts make them ideal for stop-start traffic.

Real-world testing confirms these figures: gentle driving yields mid-60s mpg, though motorway headwinds can drop efficiency as the engines strain near top gear.

Driving Dynamics: Built for the City

The 108 shines brightest in urban settings, where its short wheelbase and responsive controls allow darting through traffic with confidence. The steering is light yet accurate, perfect for parking maneuvers, and suspension soaks up potholes without feeling wallowy. On faster roads, it holds composure well for its size, though wind noise intrudes at motorway speeds.

Braking is progressive and reassuring, with ABS and stability control standard across the range. The stop-start system proves reliable, minimizing fuel waste in jams. While not a sports car, its playful nature encourages extracting every ounce of performance from the willing engines.

Practicality and Space: More Than Meets the Eye

Don’t let the diminutive size fool you—the 108 offers clever packaging. The 196-litre boot expands to 780 litres with 50:50 split-folding rear seats (except base models), outpacing some rivals in versatility. A lowered boot lip eases loading, ideal for shopping or weekend getaways. Rear passenger space suits adults for short trips, with ISOFIX points for child seats.

• Boot capacity: 196-780 litres.
• Turning circle: Exceptionally tight for easy parking.
• Folding roof option adds versatility for leisure drives.

Trim Levels and Pricing: Value for Money

Starting at around £8,245 for the Access trim, the 108 undercuts many competitors while packing essentials like remote locking and electric windows. The popular Active spec adds the touchscreen, air con, and alloys for under £10,000. Top Allure and Feline models introduce cruise control, parking sensors, and the retractable roof, topping out at £12,345.

Leasing deals from £99/month make it accessible, with strong residuals boosting appeal for businesses. Running costs remain low, with cheap insurance groups and minimal servicing needs.

Safety and Reliability: Modern Standards

Recent updates bolster safety with improved crash structures and six airbags standard. Euro NCAP ratings reflect solid performance for the class, aided by electronic aids like hill-start assist. Reliability is commendable, inheriting robust Toyota underpinnings from its platform siblings. Low warranty claims and durable components ensure peace of mind.

Who Should Buy the Peugeot 108?

Ideal for urban dwellers, young drivers, or secondary car buyers prioritizing economy and ease. It edges rivals like the VW Up or Skoda Citigo in equipment levels and style, though boot space lags slightly behind some. Used models start at £3,000, offering bargain entry into Peugeot ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Peugeot 108 fuel-efficient?

Yes, achieving up to 83mpg on open roads and mid-60s in real-world mixed driving.

What’s the boot space like?

196 litres standard, expanding to 780 litres with seats folded.

Does it have a convertible option?

Select Top! models feature an electric folding fabric roof.

How does it handle motorways?

Adequate for cruising but best suited to city use; winds can affect higher speeds.

What’s the cheapest trim?

Access from £8,245 with core essentials.

Final Thoughts on the Peugeot 108

The Peugeot 108 remains a compelling choice in a crowded city car market, offering unbeatable value, efficiency, and charm. Its evolution brings enhanced safety, tech, and drivability, making it a smart pick for budget-conscious drivers who refuse to settle for bland.