Peugeot 208 vs Suzuki Swift

What's the difference?

VS
Peugeot 208
Peugeot 208

2019 price

Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift

$19,290 - $37,180

2024 price

Summary

2019 Peugeot 208
2024 Suzuki Swift
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 3, 1.2L

Inline 3, 1.2L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
4.5L/100km (combined)

3.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Pricey
  • Missing advanced safety
  • Barely any cabin storage

  • Needs 95 RON premium unleaded
  • Spare wheel now an option
  • Base model loses seat-height adjustment
2019 Peugeot 208 Summary

In a world of cheap, popular and well-specified Japanese and Korean small hatchbacks, it’s easy to forget the humble French cars that once helped define the segment.

They’re still around, though. You’ve probably seen a few Renault Clios, you might not have seen the tragically underrated new Citroen C3, and there’s at least a chance you’ve seen one of these – the Peugeot 208.

This iteration of the 208 has been around in one form or another since 2012 and is due to be replaced by a second-generation model in the near future.

So, should you consider the aging 208 in a busy market segment? I spent a week behind the wheel of the second-from-the-top GT-Line to find out.

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2024 Suzuki Swift Summary

Few cars have had the sheer staying power of the Suzuki Swift.

Except for a four-year hiatus as the original Ignis from 2001, the Japanese supermini has been a segment mainstay since 1983, winning over consumers worldwide as an inexpensive, economical and reliable yet fun option in the Toyota Yaris class.

In Australia, its impact has been even more profound, providing Holden with its famous “beep-beep” Barina for two early iterations from 1985, while also introducing us to the pocket rocket decades before the Volkswagen Polo GTI, with the Swift GTi of 1986.

Now there’s this – the sixth-gen model in 41 years if you exclude that Ignis – doing what the little Suzuki has always done: offering buyers a great budget alternative. But this time, in this new-electrification era, where precious few attainable choices remain.

Is it any good? Let’s dive straight in.

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Deep dive comparison

2019 Peugeot 208 2024 Suzuki Swift

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