Carshop First Drive: 2019 Peugeot 108 Active

If I'm being honest, we're just thrilled to have Peugeot back in the country, but that doesn't mean we were prepared to go easy on the 108.

It's an AB Segment combatant, ready to rival to the likes of the Hyundai Grand i10 and its packing quite the value for money prospect with its R180k price tag. For that sticker tag you get impressive safety kit - six airbags, ESP with ABS and even hill start assist. The 108 also boasts daytime running lights, projector headlamps and the rear lamps are designed to resemble claw marks. Well, meow.

Power comes in the thimble-like shape of 53kW and 93Nm paired with a 5-speed manual transmission this humble collaboration returns a fuel consumption of 3.8l/100km on its tiny 14-inch steel wheels. The base car will set you back R179,900 but if you'd like alloys and several other visual and sporty hop ups (ala personalization) those can be done for an extra R15k - R20k. Still under R200,000 in total, and quite competitive.

Clamber aboard and…

Look, nobody does a steering wheel like this. A tiny rim, power assisted naturally but still, such a pleasure in the hand. Ahead of it is an analogue speedometer and LCD, with a dash-mounted touchscreen equipped with Mirror Link for screen sharing with your smartphone. There are in fact plenty of connectivity options, but I'm more concerned with driving the little tyke.

Twist the traditional key into the ignition and the little engine bursts into life, a typical three pot din, boosted but in no way fierce. I went on to pound 35km of paved tarmac with it and can report that at the hilly reef, the mite was left wanting until the turbo came online. I suspect at the coast it will breathe much easier and perform significantly better. No matter, progress was made and I'm sure a similarly specced rival would suffer the same fate. Reliability? Well, it's a Toyota Aygo under the skin so there's that box checked too.

So, in summation…

In South Africa, we think of small cars as cheap, budget-friendly entry points to car ownership, but in Europe they're simply small cars. A car that is small, and so therefore perfect for packed city streets.

This is that, a stylish and youthful steer that under promised and over delivered. And that makes me like it very much.

2019 Peugeot 108 Active Spec:

The 108 also comes with the Peugeot Pride five year/100,000km comprehensive warranty and service plan with roadside assistance, 24-hour Customer contact centre, Licence renewal reminder, Service plan and warranty expiry notifications.