The Peugeot 108 could be ideal for you if you’re looking for a small car that’s a doddle to drive and yet reasonably spacious. It’s the feeling of lightness and agility that make the 108 so easy to drive and it’s a particularly good choice for young drivers because it’s very fuel-efficient and insurance costs should be low.
The Peugeot 108 was introduced in 2014 when it replaced the older 107. The 108 was updated several times, with minor changes to its interior and exterior styling and new trim and equipment packages.
You can choose between three-door or more practical five-door bodies. Unusually, you can have a full-length, roll-back fabric sunroof with what are called TOP! models. Not quite the full wind-in-your-hair convertible experience, but you’re closer to nature with the roof open.
The 108 is only available with a 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre petrol engine. The 1.0-litre is available with an automatic gearbox, which Peugeot calls 2-Tronic. The 1.2-litre engine is the better bet if you need to tackle longer journeys because its extra power gives quicker acceleration and easier cruising.
There are many trim levels to choose from. The high-spec Allure and GT Line models are the most popular because they come with extra features included as standard. There are also some limited-run special-edition models (including the Roland Garros) that have unique styling details and features.
Peugeot stopped building the 108 in 2021, though you might come across cars registered in 2022 as dealers cleared their stock.
The 108 is a low-cost car so it’s no surprise that it doesn’t come with a lot of high-tech features as standard. Entry-point Access models have a radio, front electric windows and remote central locking. Active adds air con; mid-range Allure models have a touchscreen media system and rear parking sensors. Getting to the top of the range, Feline has leatherette seat upholstery and GT Line comes with sat nav. Some models have support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 108 costs very little to run. According to official figures, models with the 1.0-litre engine can give you an average of 65mpg to 76mpg, depending on which one you get. The 1.2-litre models can give you 65mpg.
In many cases, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are less than 99g/km, which translates to free car tax for cars registered before 1 April 2017.
The 108 is one of the most inexpensive city cars you can buy, and it’s good value overall.
Other city cars you might want to consider include the Citroen C1, the Ford Ka+, the Toyota Aygo and the Volkswagen up!. The 108 shares most of its parts with the Citroen and Toyota, as a collaboration between the three brands. Compared with its rivals the Peugeot gives you similar interior space, value and running costs.
Despite being less than 3.5 metres long there’s a surprising amount of space in the 108. The front seats have enough headroom and legroom to accommodate people more than six feet tall. It is quite a narrow car, though, so it can feel tight if you’re broad-shouldered.
The back of the 108 is also surprisingly roomy, with enough space for two average-size adults. There’s no middle back seat, though, so it’s strictly a four-seater. In three-door models, the gap you have to get through is narrow, even with the front seat folded out of the way. Getting into the back of five-door models is much easier. There are two sets of Isofix mounts on the back seat if you need to install a child seat.
The boot’s 196-litre capacity is small, but actually quite good for a car this size. It’s big enough to slot in a couple of carry-on suitcases with room to spare. If you need to carry bigger loads, the back seats fold down easily. The boot opening is quite a long way off the floor, which may make it more difficult to heave in anything heavy.
The 108 was the smallest Peugeot available in the UK while it was on sale new. Peugeot uses the first digit in its cars names to indicate their relative size – its larger models include the 208, 308, 408 and 508, while the SUV models are the 2008, 3008 and 5008.
Safety organisation Euro NCAP gave the 108 a four-star safety rating out of a possible five. For such a small car, it achieved strong marks for protecting both adults and children in a crash.
Peugeot 108
2015 (65) - 1.0 Active Euro 6 5dr
Peugeot 108
2015 (65) - 1.0 VTi Active Top! Euro 5 5dr Euro 5
Peugeot 108
2015 (15) - 1.0 Active Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (68 ps)
Peugeot 108
2016 (16) - 1.0 Active Euro 6 3dr
Peugeot 108
2016 - 1.0 Access 3dr
Peugeot 108
2018 - 1.0 72 Active 5dr
Peugeot 108
2015 (65) - 1.2 PureTech Allure Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (82 ps)
Peugeot 108
2017 - 1.0 Active Euro 6 5dr
Peugeot 108
2016 (66) - 1.0 Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (68 ps)
Peugeot 108
2018 - 1.0 Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (72 ps)
Peugeot 108
2019 (19) - 1.0 Active Euro 6 5dr
Peugeot 108
2019 - 1.0 72 Allure 5dr
Peugeot 108
2021 - 1.0 72 Allure 5dr
Peugeot 108
2021 (21) - 1.0 Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (72 ps)
Peugeot 108
2017 (66) - 1.0 Active Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (68 ps)
Peugeot 108
2020 (20) - 1.0 Collection Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (72 ps)
Peugeot 108
2016 - 1.0 Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol 2 Tronic Euro 6 68 Ps
Peugeot 108
2021 - 1.0 72 Allure 5dr
Peugeot 108
2015 (15) - 1.0 Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol 2 Tronic Euro 6 (68 ps)
Peugeot 108
2020 (69) - 1.0 Allure Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr