Peugeot 108 (2014-2022) Review

Written by Andrew Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Cheap to buy and cheap to run
- Mature driving experience
- Strong specification
Cons
- Rear seat space limited
- Axed from sale in mid-2022
- Ineffective automatic gearbox
Verdict: Is the Peugeot 108 a good car?
"City cars might be small on the outside and have a price tag to match, but many buyers have outsized expectations for these urban warriors."

Peugeot has a deserved reputation for producing good small cars stretching back decades, but the 108 owes a great deal to partners Toyota and Citroen. All three collaborated on the project, producing cars that were differentiated only by their badge and looks. This Peugeot 108 review looks at the model that was on sale from 2014 to 2022.
Helping to keep the cost down is a relatively choice-free range. There are two petrol engine options, three- or five-door bodyshells and a choice of one manual and one automatic gearbox. There are other cost savings too, like rear windows that are hinged rather than rolling down, even on five-door models, but money has been spent in the right places - this is an inexpensive car, not a cheap one.
Despite its super-compact exterior dimensions, the space inside might come as a surprise. Up front in particular there is all the room you could reasonably wish for, with plenty of legroom and lots of headroom thanks to the tall body shape. It’s a little less impressive in the back of course - you can squeeze a couple of adults in there but they won’t be happy about it, while boot space is on a par with key rivals.
The standard specification of the Peugeot 108 is also a surprise, offering more equipment than you might expect at this price point. You get remote central locking, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes a DAB radio and Bluetooth as well as screen mirroring, LED daytime running lights and air conditioning, which is enough to make the 108 feel a bit more expensive.
Most Peugeot 108s come with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine. It started out with 68PS and then grew to 72PS, which might not sound like much but the 108 weighs a piffling 840kg - a full 120kg less than the bigger Peugeot 208 - so it’s far from underpowered. Wind it all the way up and it will hit 99mph, which as the law says, is more than enough, and the engine’s willingness and spirit is a part of the car’s charm. It also sips fuel in the process. A 1.2-litre motor with a giddy 82PS was also an option.
The Peugeot 108 is capable out on the road too. Although clearly best suited to the bumps and tight spaces of city life, it is more than capable of holding its own on quicker open roads and the motorway. The suspension is set to soak up road imperfections - a job it does well - so the price you pay is a fair amount of bodyroll should you take a corner at speed, but it always feels safe and manageable.
It looks smart, is well-specified, is cheap to buy, run and insure and isn’t without charm when it comes to the driving experience. There are younger, more talented rivals, but the Peugeot 108 deserves consideration as a used buy.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Peugeot Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Peugeot 108s for sale.
Is the 2014-2022 Peugeot 108 right for you?
What other cars are similar to the Peugeot 108?
Comfort and design: Peugeot 108 interior
"It’s easy to assume that the cabin of a city car like the Peugeot 108 will be a plain and unwelcoming environment, but in truth it’s a good deal better than that."

The entry-level Access (later dropped from the range) and Active models don’t get much in the way of colour other than the flashes of body colour on the door panels, but the cloth trim is attractive. Allure, Feline (yes... ) and Collection models get more fancy trim, but the basic design itself is simple and attractive. The touchscreen is nicely integrated into the dashboard and is placed high up where it’s easy to see, and what few other controls there are all sit close to the driver.
Getting comfortable won’t be an issue for those sat in the front seats either. The driver gets height adjustment as standard, and the seats themselves should be comfortable for a wide range of body types. It is worth noting they do lack a little side support however, which makes its presence felt in higher-speed cornering. The rear seat is a simple bench designed for two people, but is best suited to children rather than adults.
The driving position is good too, helped by the height-adjustable seat and steering wheel, but also thanks to the relationship between the seats and the rest of the car. Both front seats are set relatively high, and with the large glass area gives a good view out even for drivers who are shorter than average.
Quality and finish
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Peugeot 108
Space and practicality: Peugeot 108 boot space
Handling and ride quality: What is the Peugeot 108 like to drive?
"Sensibly, the Peugeot 108 gives priority to ride quality, and a number of significant changes were made over the old 107 version in order to improve its performance in this area."

Given that most Peugeot 108s will spend their lives on poorly-surfaced urban roads, the suspension is set to be relatively soft. It might not be luxury-car standard, but the Peugeot deals with most road imperfections easily - only longer undulations can upset it a little thanks to the short wheelbase. It’s also worth noting that the ride quality is a little better up front compared to in the back, as the rear seats sit almost on top of the back axle and so tend to move around a little more over bumps.
The 108 makes no pretence of being a hot hatch and given it is likely to be a popular choice amongst new drivers, it offers safe and secure handling. The steering is light at all speeds and offers a useful amount of feel, and it avoids being too sharp or too quick in its responses for the inexperienced.
Should you decide to press on a little more the 108 grips well and remains consistent in its responses. Even when pushed too hard it stays on your side, helped by the standard ESP system which can intervene in extreme circumstances.
The soft suspension does mean the Peugeot 108 has some body roll, although this is reduced compared to the outgoing 107 model and rarely intrudes in normal driving. All versions of the 108 ride on 15-inch wheels - steel on Access and Active models and alloy on the others - so you can expect the same level of grip and handling whichever model you choose.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Peugeot 108?
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment: How safe is the Peugeot 108?
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Peugeot 108 cost to run?
"The good news is that whichever engine, gearbox or trim level you go for, the Peugeot 108 will not cost much to keep fuelled up."

Even when the 108 was tested for economy under the tougher WLTP rules, it provided a combined economy of at least 67.3mpg for the 1.0-litre model.
Take the 1.2 and it can offer at least 65.7mpg, so hardly a big hit for its added performance.
Peugeot 108 reliability and warranty
Peugeot 108 insurance groups and costs
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Peugeot 108?
Peugeot 108 price
"The good news is that because the Peugeot 108 has been on sale for a number of years, there are plenty of examples for sale at a variety of prices. It also means you have plenty of examples to choose from, so you can be patient and get the right car for you."

You can reckon on spending £5000 for a 10-year old example with a low 40,000 miles on the clock. Something newer, such as a four-year old car in Collection trim with 25,000 covered will cost around £9000.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Peugeot 108 a reliable car?
Is the Peugeot 108 discontinued?
Does a Peugeot 108 have a Toyota engine?
Peugeot 108 cars for sale on heycar
Peugeot 1081.0 72 Collection 5dr
20199,432 milesPetrol£9,295
Good priceDeliveryPeugeot 1081.0 72 Active 5dr
202036,308 milesPetrol£142 mo£8,000
TS247LDPeugeot 1081.2 PureTech Allure 5dr
201761,441 milesPetrol£115 mo£5,000
Fair priceNR46AJPeugeot 1081.0 72 Collection 5dr
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£250 offFair priceWD188XNPeugeot 1081.0 72 Collection 5dr
202034,978 milesPetrol£165 mo£7,425
Good priceCV326AT
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