Think of the Peugeot 208 as the chocolate truffle of the small hatchback market, where the alternatives are an assortment of tarts and pastries. It’s a bit smaller than you might want at times, but ultimately it feels that little bit more special and luxurious. That doesn’t mean it’s the obvious choice though, because the Renault Clio runs the 208 close for style points, the Audi A1 might just have the Peugeot edged out on badge appeal and the Skoda Fabia brings a heavy dose of practicality to the table. Yet for its numerous alternatives, the 208 certainly stands out on the road. Though the latest model was launched back in 2019, the 208 looks bang up to date after a 2024 refresh. Lion claw-themed running lights and an intricate grille tie the car’s front end in with a similar motif for the LED taillights. A retro side-window shape inspired by the iconic 205, chunky gloss-black wheel arches and a selection of intricate wheel designs all add some flair to the chic, sporty looking hatchback. Peugeot has done just as good a job with the 208’s interior, which looks and feels as though it’s been taken out of a much more expensive car. The dashboard is intricate without feeling fussy, wrapping around the driver and passenger while clearly displaying the standard-fit 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display. GT-spec models get an uber-cool 3D-effect driver’s screen, though lesser trims still get a digital display, and all models have soft-touch materials in abundance. There is the odd scratchy plastic on the door cards and lower dashboard, but other aspects such as the lovely, clicky dashboard button are nice to the touch.