Peugeot 208 GT Line 2016 review

The GT Line, as the name suggests, is well on its way to looking like a GTi with 16-inch alloys, a lower stance and the tell-tale bodykit and LED daytime running lights. The grille is flecked with red flashes for an "equaliser" effect and there's various chrome and red bits to sort the GT from the lower models.

The windscreen is gigantic, soaring up to your forehead (and further if you have the panoramic roof), with the high ceiling delivering a ton of headroom. Inside space is impressive for such a small car, with a decent-sized boot at 311 litres.

The sportier, more heavily bolstered seats are still very comfortable, with a wide range of adjustment to help you get comfortable behind the i-Cockpit, which consists of high dials and low steering wheel.

As in the 308, the steering wheel is very small indeed so you can see those dials, but is off-putting to some. It takes a while to get the position right.

The rear seats are comfortable enough, but the rear seat is tight for leg, knee and shoulder room. Storage is limited, with a pair of small cupholders up front and a bin hidden underneath the rather inconveniently-sited central armrest.

The GT-Line shares the Puretech 1.2 litre turbocharged three cylinder with the Active and Allure. The triple pumps out 81kW and 205Nm (why not go for 208? Just for laughs?), the stop-start helping with a combined claimed fuel-consumption of 4.5 litres per 100 km. Which is…well, unlikely to be matched seeing we got 8.2 L/100km, admittedly in an especially sticky week in a Sydney summer.

The GT-Line reaches 0-100 km/h in a leisurely 10.9 seconds, the six-speed transmission's shifts fast and smooth.

Six airbags, ABS, brake assist, brake force distribution, stability and traction controls and load-limited front seat-belts add up to five ANCAP stars.