THE ONE WHEN PEUGEOT GOT ITS SUPERMINI MOJO BACK

The 208 marked a return to form for a maker renowned for its small cars

- SAM PHILLIPS

The Peugeot 208 sparked a revival for the French marque in the supermini class, where it had failed to capture the attention of European buyers with its drab and dreary 207 predecessor.

Finally, here was a small Peugeot that majored on style, space and economy while also exuding a sense of desirability. It signalled a return to form for the brand whose eradefining 205 and popular 206 had historically given it the, ahem, lion's share of the small car market.

But why opt for a Mk1 208 when there are clear class leaders in the shape of the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo? Well, start with the fact that you can pick one up for the bargain price of £800...

While the 208's skin, cabin and engines were all-new, it inherited the 207's dated PF1 platform, and it wasn't the 205-emulating supermini we dreamed of in dynamic terms.

That said, the funky 208 is a far nicer car to pilot around town than its predecessor. The heft and stodge that tarnished the 207 are absent, and in most settings it rides well. It steers accurately and, even though it's lighter than its predecessor, it's refined and well isolated. Sure, it can sometimes struggle to absorb medium-sized lumps and bumps, and it doesn't offer the same level of driver entertainment as a Fiesta, but don't let a lack of chuckability deter you from the 208. It's a very easy and generally comfortable car to cruise along in.