Peugeot 108 review - can Peugeot's smallest raise a smile? - Ride and handling
Peugeot's 108 city hatch has stiff competition against both its own siblings and the impressive VW Up
Ride and Handling
Peugeot is adamant that the 108 has been developed with a different suspension tune to its relatives, but as with the engine, the bad points aren’t down to poor calibration or set up - it's more a case of compromised core ingredients. The 108 doesn’t do anything different to most of the class, employing quasi-Macpherson front and torsion beam rear suspension set ups, yet seems to lack the polish that VW Group cars have been able to acheive.
The issue is that along with the tall body and tiny wheels the Peugeot suffers from the bouncy ride-quality that is as so often a result of low quality dampers. Secondary ride is surprisingly plush however; we put that down to unfashionably tall tyre sidewalls.
The 108 does feature traction control and ESP stability control but rather than reining-in any playful handling characteristics, it mainly serves to quell the considerable understeer that comes as a result of this car's low grip threshold across the front axle.
If there is one enjoyable asset that the 108 possesses, it’s that you can drive all the way to the limit without breaking the speed limit. Once again, though, we are drawn back to that ever-present VW Up with its extra polish and finesse.
