2026 Peugeot E-208 Reviews

Honda's Euro-built Civic hatch takes on the Peugeot 308. Richard Blackburn separates two Continental rivals.

Walk into a pet shop and there'll always be a pooch that's endearing but overlooked. The deterrent might be the price, or the markings or even the fact it's an exotic breed so it'll presumably take mo

The single slot in the dashboard is gradually being replaced by a new wave of touchscreens that mirror the display of the latest smartphones, as more people use Bluetooth or USB connections to listen to music stored on their phones.The new apps mean everything from text messages, music and navigation can be used via the car's built-in screen or steering wheel controls -- so drivers don't need to fiddle with their phones, the fines for which exceed $400 and are up to four demerit points in some states.The first car in Australia with built-in Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink apps is due on sale this week.But it's not a mega-dollar luxury car, customarily first with the latest technology.Rather it comes from an unlikely source: a $15,990 hatchback from the Volkswagen-owned Czech brand Skoda.The new Skoda Fabia will lead a massive rollout of the technology on the rest of the Volkswagen line-up: from August, almost every model in the VW passenger car range will have an app-based audio system and relegate the CD player to the glovebox.Suzuki will be next, with Apple CarPlay likely to be standard on the new generation Vitara SUV, before Mercedes-Benz introduces it on an updated version of it's A-Class hatch late in the year.Surprisingly, Holden was among the first to drop CD players from its cars.Certain Barina models have been without a CD player since December 2012, while the Colorado ute and SUV haven't been able to take a compact disc since November 2013.Peugeot's 208 hatchback hasn't had a CD player since September 2012, and the Citroen Grand Picasso people mover ditched it in February 2014.Much like the tape decks of old, the days of CD players are numberedThe most affordable version of the Hyundai i30 hatchback -- Australia's best selling car last month -- lost its CD player in April this year, and the Kia Sorento family SUV dropped it with the release of the latest model in June.The industry is divided on the issue, with a CD player on all cars sold by market leader Toyota, number two brand Mazda, and other Top 10 players Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda, Subaru and Ford.European brands seem to be the most determined to leave the CD player behind."Much like the tape decks of old, the days of CD players are numbered," says Glenn Reid, the product manager at Citroen Australia."As we introduce all new models, we will progressively phase out CD players as customers move to Bluetooth streaming and USB as the primary means of taking their music with them."Peugeot 208 hatch, September 2012Peugeot 2008 SUV, October 2013Holden Barina CDX, December 2012Holden Trax SUV, September 2013Holden Colorado ute, November 2013Holden Colorado SUV, November 2013Citroen Grand Picasso, February 2014Citroen Picasso, February 2015Hyundai i30 Active, April 2015Hyundai i30 Active X, April 2015Kia Sorento SUV, June 2015

When Peugeot took the wraps off the 308 R HYbrid concept at the Shanghai motor show back in April, we were told there were no plans for it to go into production."This car is more a demonstration of our potential future drivetrains," Peugeot's Tyson Bowen said.However, Peugeot's global boss has publically given a strong hint to the contrary. Maxime Picat, Peugeot CEO, tweeted two pictures this week of what looks to be an almost production-ready 308 R HYbrid development mule."Looks like #Peugeot308RHYbrid is ready to move!" he said."Today our CEO Carlos Tavares enjoyed its radical performance!"Carols Tavares is the chairman of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen group, which is Peugeot's parent company, and his involvement suggests validation is underway at the highest level.The car in the photos looks to be wearing the wheels, brakes and front bumper of the new 308 GTi that debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last week, but with significantly pumped wheelarches that suggest there's far more lurking beneath its disguised skin.The mule's wheelarches have a larger-radius bulge than the boxed RS6-style ones seen on the Shanghai concept, or any other 308 to date for that matter.Such a body mod hints at Audi RS3-esque levels of performance, but would also likely be necessary to make space for the front and rear electric motors seen on the petrol-electric concept.The mule is also sporting an 'R' moniker stitched into the seats - a further strong hint that the car is edging closer to production.The 308 R HYbrid concept featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with electric motors on both axles and a six-speed paddle-shift transmission.The concept claimed outputs of 370kW/730Nm with all power sources combined, putting it well ahead of the 200kW produced by the new GTi in its most powerful form.If a production version comes within cooee of the concept, it would also significantly trump the 270kW/465Nm and 0-100km/h in 4.3s of the recently launched Audi RS3 and the 280kW/475Nm and 4.2s acceleration set for an updated version of the A45 AMG.

The well-priced French family bus abounds in cabin comforts but its age and weight are handicaps.There's a last-minute call to CarsGuide for clemency this week just as we're deciding on the Peugeot 3008's standing in The Tick.It comes in the form of a new drive-away deal on the 3008 as Peugeot aims for better value on a range of models. It means buyers of the petrol 3008 will be about $2500 better off, the diesel $3500.The other models are the 208, 2008, 308, 4008 and 508. The Australian importer promises savings of up to $5500 by the time the cars hit the road.The price push comes as the company works hard to reinvent itself in the face of increasingly tougher competition.It has some good cars, especially the 308, but a lot of the line-up is ageing.It will be a couple of years before a full-scale new-model turnover at PSA — the French parent company for Citroen, Peugeot and DS vehicles — comes on line.A full family five-seater that works well as a people-mover in EuropeThe 3008 is old and relatively expensive, although we need to adjust scoring to account for the $39,990 drive-away bottom line on the diesel Active that we drove.It's quirky, a tag we usually reserve for Citroens, and one that's difficult to slot into a comfortable space.A full family five-seater that works well as a people-mover in Europe, the 3008 does not do nearly as well against big SUVs in Australia.The cabin is roomy and flexible, the seats are comfortable, it's easy to get in and out, there's underfloor stowage beneath the rear seat and and the clever boot has a three-tier layout for storage.A clamshell-style fold-out seat provides a temporary perch for toddlers.Even with a big load, the diesel version gets along well enough, thanks to its 340Nm of torque and six-speed automatic gearbox. It's not particularly perky but compensates with impressive economy for such a big bus.The ride is not as good as I expect and in corners the car feels ponderous — it tips the scales at more than 1600kg after all. It's the complete opposite feel to the baby 308, which is sharp, smooth and responsive, and it's probably down to the age of the basic design and the families that constitute the target market.The fitout is pretty good, including seven-inch multimedia screen, satnav, reversing cameras, impressive aircon, alloys and the rest. It also gets a five-star ANCAP safety score.It's also easy to park, thanks to excellent all-round vision and a reasonable turning circle — but not as good as the Citroen C4 Picasso stablemate.Capitalise on the ample space and the flexible seating and it's possible to fit all sorts of stuff inside, as we did during a house move.Every time I look at the dashboard, however, I'm reminded that it's an old car that needs work. The plastics are hard, the layout of the switches is haphazard and the multimedia controls are confusing and counter-intuitive.It's the same when driving. The 3008 is all right but no better than that.That's not good enough when someone could be cross-shopping it against anything from a Hyundai ix35 or Mazda CX-5 to the Picasso or the latest Kia Sorento that's just gained a five-star ANCAP score.In fact, there are so many rivals with impressive credentials, either for driving or family hauling, that the 3008 fades quickly into the background.

Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the 2015 Peugeot Allure Touring, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peugeot has adopted nation-wide drive-away pricing for its entry-level 308 Access hatch, with the previous $21,990 list price for the manual model now including on-road costs.The auto version scores a $24,690 drive-away price, adding $700 to the previous list price (which excludes on-road costs).The new pricing applies only to the 308 Access hatchback. The 308 Allure, Allure Premium, GT and all wagon variants retain their current list pricing.Peugeot's drive-away pricing comes in $1000 lower than the current deal Volkswagen is running on the 308's key rival Golf 90TSI manual.Powered by a 96kW/230Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, the 308 Access hatch features LED daytime running lights, cruise control with electronic speed-limiter, Bluetooth/USB compatible stereo and 15-inch steel wheels.

The classy compact has been given a hybrid boost with a giant twist, transforming it from a youth-appeal hatchback into an all-out supercar revealed at the Shanghai motor show this week.The petrol-electric combination delivers more than 370kW and a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.0 seconds, but with CO2 emissions of just 70g/km.The 308 R HYbrid Concept is one of the new-age high-performance hybrids taking over everywhere from Formula One and sports car racing to the top end of motoring.Peugeot’s effort is not as outrageous as the othersMercedes-Benz is dominating F1, Porsche is racing Audi and Toyota at Le Mans. The LaFerrari, Porsche 918 and McLaren P1 are proving hybrids are the new power in supercars.Peugeot’s effort is not as outrageous as the others. What’s impressive is the scope for the powertrain development to be shared through the PSA Group — Peugeot, Citroen and DS — in France.“The high-performance hybrid powertrain fitted to the 308 gives a glimpse of the potential for ultra-sports models in the future,” says Peugeot Sport director Bruno Famin.The company’s motorsport division, which has run and won at Le Mans and in the World Rally Championship, was chosen to develop the car.Peugeot Sport has no plans for a production car The starting point was a regular 308 hatch, which was quickly transformed with the petrol-electric powertrain, all-wheel drive, and bodywork stretched to give a bigger footprint for 19-inch alloys and track-style Michelin tyres.The technical tweaking also includes carbon-fibre panels, head-up instrument display, extra air intakes and subtle aero additions.The 308 R is painted in the same vivid blue as the Quartz SUV concept for the Peugeot’s Shanghai display — with fluoro pigment and glass particles.The car’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain augments a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with 85kW electric motors on each axle. The front electric motor is also linked to the car’s six-speed gearbox, activated by paddle-shifters on the race-style wheel.The Peugeot Sport input endows three driving modes — road, track and hot lap. These deliver at least 220kW/400Nm, with maximum outputs of 370kW/730Nm.Peugeot Sport has no plans for a production car but is pleased with its work.“It is down to our passion for a challenge and our desire for excellence. Peugeot 308 R HYbrid is part of a very select club ... reaching 0-100km/h in four seconds,” says powertrain chief Jean-Philippe Delaire.But as Peugeot accelerates its hybrid development, there is still no plan for a petrol-electric contender in Australia.“There are a couple of hybrids available in France, but we need to determine if they are suitable and if we have the right support in Australia,” says Peugeot’s Tyson Bowen. “So this car is more a demonstration of our potential future drivetrains.”

Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the Peugeot 308 GT diesel with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Alistair Kennedy road tests and reviews the Peugeot 508 at its Australian launch.