+mattmugen I'm about 5ft 7ins, and I did need to drop the height of the steering wheel a little, but everything is clear, and there's still plenty of room for adjustment if I choose. When I compare my experiences with the 206 I traded it in for, I'm far more bothered by my attempts to mistakenly open the windows near the handbrake than the size of the steering wheel, the glow of the touchscreen at night or any other design feature (in other words, I can't find any real fault with the interior). Of course, YMMV.
Apparently you are supposed to have the wheel quite low, almost in your lap and close to your chest. Its a little weird feeling at first, but once you get used to it I've been told it ends up feeling very comfortable.
It is; it certainly feels very different to my better half's Mitsubishi. Related to my previous post, if you change your touchscreen's brightness when your headlights are off, then turn the headlights on, you'll find that the brightness level for the touchscreen is controlled by the *same* slider. Confusing, but fine once you've set it for the first time.
Terrible review. How can you knock down the Peugeot 208 gti by Peugeot sport because the suspension is too hard? It's an enthusiastics car. It's supposed to be hard and almost without compromises. What you want is a hothatch that's more comfortable and more suited as a daily driver. Well, you're in luck, Peugeot has got you covered, the normal 208 Gti is exactly what you want. Also I find your complaint about the steering wheel covering the dails complete nonsense. I'm 1.81m and my girlfriend is 1.63m and we both can see everything on the dashboard just fine. Granted, if you're very small or maybe very tall it could be that the 208 dashboard doesn't suit you but even in the worst case scenario it's never going to be as terrible as you're showing it here.
+Carrinthe I understand it's meant to be harsh but it gets tedious when you find yourself having to slow down on a local high street to preserve your spine. It's just not fast or rewarding enough to make me forget how unforgiving it feels on normal UK roads. The 308 GTi 250 and 270, on the other hand, are considerably more fun to drive, more livable and much faster. I'd pick that over the 208 GTi any day of the week if I could afford the difference. As for the steering wheel, a smaller wheel has much greater potential to obscure the dials than a big steering wheel. I found being comfortable and having the wheel where I want meant I was unable to see certain elements. Just a personal thing. In terms of using it to steer, it's great.
my sons just had one of these , I've driven it a lot recently and find it more fun to drive than my 56 plate Lancer Sport and the ride isnt that harsh . this is the only review Ive seen that knocks the 208 GTi , having tested this and the Fiesta ST we made the right choice with his Peugeot Sport edition
How could you hate this car? Great looking and rapid. Guy moans about the firm suspension? Everyone seems to rave about the fiesta St rock hard suspension? Am I missing something, or has Peugeot not paid him any advertising money?
This is one of the worst /misleading reviews I've ever seen. I have one of these and I think the seats are by far the most comfortable I've ever sat in. It's tweaked suspension (over standard gti) makes the car handle brilliantly. He did mention lsd briefly which is a real shame as it really makes the car a joy to drive. Poor review which is against the majority of reviews I've seen.
Neil Stevens Drove one again recently, still maintain it's overly harsh and the enjoyment and performance just isn't enough to make up for it. Plus newer alternatives are better overall.
Damien G I'm curious, I know Anthony says the 208 GTi is good but could lose out to the equivalent Fiesta, I'm intrigued to read the article. I've driven hundreds of cars but my opinion is still my opinion and not all motoring journalists agree. That just makes life more interesting, though!
If you don't want to have the harsh ride then just get a standard 208, not the peugeot sport one. I have a standard 208 gti and it's really comfortable. And what he's saying about the steering wheel blocking the dials there's a simple solution. Flick the little switch underneath the steering wheel and adjust the damn thing.
Brinsley Sargent The standard car is comfortable, definitely, and so was the old 308 GTi 250. But the small steering wheel, though adjustable, does limit the positions you can adjust it to if you want to see the dials properly. It's not the end of the world, but it's worth pointing out.
RecombuCars ok, yeah, you can just decide to put the steering wheel in front of the dials and complain about it, but the steering wheel has height adjustment, and rake adjustment, and the seat can also be height adjusted as well as the normal adjustments for a seat in any car so basically, anyone of any height can adjust it comfortably to not block the dials.
As a owner of a 2015 gti 30th. Same paintjob. No issues. Seats are comfy. Alot of good attention. Ride is great minus the odd bumpy road. A/C isn't the best. Doing around 48mpg. Very quick. And suspension isn't bad or good. 50 50. Steering wheel, you can adjust. Honestly. Great car.
+Steve Carvalho There's a difference between firm, harsh and insufferable. The 208 GTi sits somewhere between the last two, unlike the 308 GTi 270 by Peugeot Sport, which I found was much better at balancing comfort and performance. Also my personal car is anything but a water bed. It's more like riding on a bed of nails, actually.
Strange review, this is an enthusiasts version of the 208 gti and it will be totally weighted toward a full on sport set up. I have a prestige 208 gti and I do not have any of the issues that you mention, with the steering wheel or a harsh set up. Don't get me wrong you won't fall asleep in it but harsh it isn't. Great car, still love to drive it every time I get in it. How I haven't picked up any points yet.........??? : )
Excellent review. I had series 2 205 gti back in the early 90s and no car I have ones has even come close for thrills. I thought this would have done it but alas, a Doberman ain't no lion. I would have forgiven all if it snarled. Might have to at least test drive it. Being an old fart now, maybe it will impress me. Good on them for trying. Everything since those halcyon days has been ordinary.
+Stephen Malloy I have a standard 208 now for 4 years and it still goes his way like the first day i got it. Verry good cars that won't let you down for a low price :)
My brother is getting a 208 GTi Prestige in the next few weeks, and has been driving a new 308 (no idea what trim) as Peugeot managed to break his 207 GT HDi. It's a bit difficult to compare between the three, however as a previous owner of a 206 GTi, I don't think it'll take long to work out how it fares as a daily driver. Certainly, I wouldn't expect C5-style magic carpet road manners, but I heard more negative comments about the Gen 8 Civic's ride quality on larger wheels than any flavour of 208, the main reason I opted not to buy one (besides the ridiculous resale prices for a low mileage example).
+Julien Jones Only 100 examples of the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Edition were brought to the UK, making it rarer, but the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport shares the same mechanics (lower ride height, 18-inch alloys, Torsen differential, bucket seats, Michelin tyres etc) so no difference in that respect.
+Julien Jones What? The "208 GTi By Peugeot Sport" ISN'T the "Peugeot 208 GTi". The "208 GTi By Peugeot Sport" is prepared/tuned by Peugeot Sport which the regular 208 GTi isn't. The "208 GTi By Peugeot Sport" is essentially the mass-marketed version of the 208 GTi / 30th Anniversary Edition.
I never had any problem with the steering's position. I am able to read the dials perfectly. That's why the steering is adjustable...
+mattmugen indeed
+mattmugen I'm about 5ft 7ins, and I did need to drop the height of the steering wheel a little, but everything is clear, and there's still plenty of room for adjustment if I choose. When I compare my experiences with the 206 I traded it in for, I'm far more bothered by my attempts to mistakenly open the windows near the handbrake than the size of the steering wheel, the glow of the touchscreen at night or any other design feature (in other words, I can't find any real fault with the interior). Of course, YMMV.
Apparently you are supposed to have the wheel quite low, almost in your lap and close to your chest. Its a little weird feeling at first, but once you get used to it I've been told it ends up feeling very comfortable.
It is; it certainly feels very different to my better half's Mitsubishi.
Related to my previous post, if you change your touchscreen's brightness when your headlights are off, then turn the headlights on, you'll find that the brightness level for the touchscreen is controlled by the *same* slider. Confusing, but fine once you've set it for the first time.
Absolutely agree.
"It hasn't changed much since the 206"
Wtf?! Was the script written by Stevie Wonder?!
Terrible review. How can you knock down the Peugeot 208 gti by Peugeot sport because the suspension is too hard? It's an enthusiastics car. It's supposed to be hard and almost without compromises. What you want is a hothatch that's more comfortable and more suited as a daily driver. Well, you're in luck, Peugeot has got you covered, the normal 208 Gti is exactly what you want.
Also I find your complaint about the steering wheel covering the dails complete nonsense. I'm 1.81m and my girlfriend is 1.63m and we both can see everything on the dashboard just fine. Granted, if you're very small or maybe very tall it could be that the 208 dashboard doesn't suit you but even in the worst case scenario it's never going to be as terrible as you're showing it here.
+Carrinthe I understand it's meant to be harsh but it gets tedious when you find yourself having to slow down on a local high street to preserve your spine. It's just not fast or rewarding enough to make me forget how unforgiving it feels on normal UK roads.
The 308 GTi 250 and 270, on the other hand, are considerably more fun to drive, more livable and much faster. I'd pick that over the 208 GTi any day of the week if I could afford the difference.
As for the steering wheel, a smaller wheel has much greater potential to obscure the dials than a big steering wheel. I found being comfortable and having the wheel where I want meant I was unable to see certain elements. Just a personal thing. In terms of using it to steer, it's great.
I'd pick a Focus ST over the Fiesta any day of the week, they're in totally separate groups....
True true. It's made to be sporty and racey. This guy is a dick
my sons just had one of these , I've driven it a lot recently and find it more fun to drive than my 56 plate Lancer Sport and the ride isnt that harsh . this is the only review Ive seen that knocks the 208 GTi , having tested this and the Fiesta ST we made the right choice with his Peugeot Sport edition
How could you hate this car? Great looking and rapid. Guy moans about the firm suspension? Everyone seems to rave about the fiesta St rock hard suspension? Am I missing something, or has Peugeot not paid him any advertising money?
Craig Rodger The new Fiesta ST is less firm and smoother overall.
Damien G I'd take the old ST200 over the 208 GTi every day of the week. Hopefully the new one is as good.
This is one of the worst /misleading reviews I've ever seen. I have one of these and I think the seats are by far the most comfortable I've ever sat in. It's tweaked suspension (over standard gti) makes the car handle brilliantly. He did mention lsd briefly which is a real shame as it really makes the car a joy to drive. Poor review which is against the majority of reviews I've seen.
Neil Stevens Drove one again recently, still maintain it's overly harsh and the enjoyment and performance just isn't enough to make up for it. Plus newer alternatives are better overall.
Damien G Is this a magazine or web article?
Damien G I know most of the people at Evo, I was asking where you saw this article.
Damien G I'm curious, I know Anthony says the 208 GTi is good but could lose out to the equivalent Fiesta, I'm intrigued to read the article. I've driven hundreds of cars but my opinion is still my opinion and not all motoring journalists agree. That just makes life more interesting, though!
If you don't want to have the harsh ride then just get a standard 208, not the peugeot sport one. I have a standard 208 gti and it's really comfortable. And what he's saying about the steering wheel blocking the dials there's a simple solution. Flick the little switch underneath the steering wheel and adjust the damn thing.
Brinsley Sargent The standard car is comfortable, definitely, and so was the old 308 GTi 250. But the small steering wheel, though adjustable, does limit the positions you can adjust it to if you want to see the dials properly. It's not the end of the world, but it's worth pointing out.
RecombuCars ok, yeah, you can just decide to put the steering wheel in front of the dials and complain about it, but the steering wheel has height adjustment, and rake adjustment, and the seat can also be height adjusted as well as the normal adjustments for a seat in any car so basically, anyone of any height can adjust it comfortably to not block the dials.
As a owner of a 2015 gti 30th. Same paintjob. No issues. Seats are comfy. Alot of good attention. Ride is great minus the odd bumpy road. A/C isn't the best. Doing around 48mpg. Very quick. And suspension isn't bad or good. 50 50. Steering wheel, you can adjust. Honestly. Great car.
Stupid review. Give him a water bed.
+Steve Carvalho There's a difference between firm, harsh and insufferable. The 208 GTi sits somewhere between the last two, unlike the 308 GTi 270 by Peugeot Sport, which I found was much better at balancing comfort and performance. Also my personal car is anything but a water bed. It's more like riding on a bed of nails, actually.
LOL,
WRONG ANSWER.
Spine???lolol
+Zwai Dyasi that was clever. Still chuckling about that one.
the ride cant be as harsh as my old Citroen c2 VTS, i can feel literately every bump, dont even ask what happens when i accidentally hit a pot hole
Strange review, this is an enthusiasts version of the 208 gti and it will be totally weighted toward a full on sport set up.
I have a prestige 208 gti and I do not have any of the issues that you mention, with the steering wheel or a harsh set up. Don't get me wrong you won't fall asleep in it but harsh it isn't.
Great car, still love to drive it every time I get in it. How I haven't picked up any points yet.........??? : )
Me too, I have just got a Prestige 208 gti, fucking love it, no complaints whatsoever. I'm sure this review was written by a right numpty...
Excellent review. I had series 2 205 gti back in the early 90s and no car I have ones has even come close for thrills. I thought this would have done it but alas, a Doberman ain't no lion. I would have forgiven all if it snarled. Might have to at least test drive it. Being an old fart now, maybe it will impress me. Good on them for trying. Everything since those halcyon days has been ordinary.
If you think the ride in this is harsh, try driving a FN2 Type R on any crater-filled British road.
this guy could drive a ferrari complaining that the motor is too loud....
On the other hand, Piston-heads came to a different conclusion: www.pistonheads.com/news/features/ford-fiesta-st200-vs-peugeot-sport-208-gti/37975
Would like one but I am a little concerned about reliability. Anyone got one?
+Stephen Malloy I have a standard 208 now for 4 years and it still goes his way like the first day i got it. Verry good cars that won't let you down for a low price :)
Love your videos! Very well done!
+WeDontNeed NoEducation Thank you!
it's a great car in normal gti spec,you tested the harshest version.
+Mr Ortega No doubt the softer normal GTi would be preferable on crater-ridden British roads.
The review would of been far shorter if he'd just said 'I'm not really into Peugeot's'
Awesome review big thumbs up.
+nigel woods Thank you, sir.
If you cant see the instruments you sit wrong !
I think cars for english car reviewers need a batch like "tested on UK roads ans not on nürnburg ring"
this guy does not have clue
Bit late Bruv
+Fergus Brown Better late than never.
My brother is getting a 208 GTi Prestige in the next few weeks, and has been driving a new 308 (no idea what trim) as Peugeot managed to break his 207 GT HDi. It's a bit difficult to compare between the three, however as a previous owner of a 206 GTi, I don't think it'll take long to work out how it fares as a daily driver. Certainly, I wouldn't expect C5-style magic carpet road manners, but I heard more negative comments about the Gen 8 Civic's ride quality on larger wheels than any flavour of 208, the main reason I opted not to buy one (besides the ridiculous resale prices for a low mileage example).
208 GTI 30TH is better ... why you test this one ...
+Julien Jones Only 100 examples of the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Edition were brought to the UK, making it rarer, but the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport shares the same mechanics (lower ride height, 18-inch alloys, Torsen differential, bucket seats, Michelin tyres etc) so no difference in that respect.
There is a lot of difference, the care is more fun
+Julien Jones
What? The "208 GTi By Peugeot Sport" ISN'T the "Peugeot 208 GTi".
The "208 GTi By Peugeot Sport" is prepared/tuned by Peugeot Sport which the regular 208 GTi isn't. The "208 GTi By Peugeot Sport" is essentially the mass-marketed version of the 208 GTi / 30th Anniversary Edition.
its the same lol
the 30th and the by peugeot sport are exactly the same cars... just that the 30th is numeroted