Peugeot 208 vs. Vauxhall Corsa: which is better?
Peugeot 208 vs. Vauxhall Corsa: we pit these supermini favourites against each other on a number of criteria in our comparison guide
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Small hatchbacks have a lot of appeal, because they’re great for solo drivers and small families alike, making them incredibly versatile options.
They’re also affordable to buy and economical to run, but if you’re struggling to pick between the Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa, then you might want to read about what makes them unique.
Does the Peugeot 208 or Vauxhall Corsa offer more style?
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Despite being popular mainstream superminis, the latest versions of these small hatchbacks are considerably better looking than previous generations.
We’d go as far as saying the Peugeot 208 is one of the best-looking small cars out there. It mirrors the seriously stylish looks of the rest of the Peugeot range but on a smaller scale.
The car's design mixes sharp lines and curves, and the distinctive front end features a very large grille, even on the electric variant, which helps to keep it looking fairly familiar.
Peugeot says the claw of a big cat inspired its headlight and LED daytime running light design, but whatever you think of this story, the slim lines add a sporty touch to this already aggressive-looking model.
In comparison, the Vauxhall Corsa has a considerably more understated design, and it’s clear Vauxhall’s focus was more on minimalism.
The latest version has a slim grille area beneath the bonnet, but a 2023 facelift saw this replaced with a blanked-off area of glossy plastic, which adds a more premium feel to this budget-friendly car.
Although it’s not as sporty-looking as the 208, you can still add plenty of flair to the Corsa, such as two-tone paint, a black roof and mirrors, and striking alloy wheel designs.
Is the Vauxhall Corsa or Peugeot 208 better to drive?
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Vauxhall and Peugeot belong to the same company, so the power options are identical, regardless of the fuel you choose.
The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine is an excellent all-rounder, and you can have it in 100hp and 130hp forms. You’re best off avoiding the 75hp non-turbocharged version as it feels considerably slower.
Both cars were also sold for a period with a 100hp 1.5-litre diesel, but owing to poor sales figures and the seriously impressive fuel economy of the petrols, the diesel was taken off sale.
In 2023, both cars also got a facelift that brought two new mild hybrid petrol options – both 1.2-litre units, you can pick from 100hp or 136hp. They come as standard with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox because the electric motor is mounted within the transmission itself. This means there are no manual mild hybrids.
Similarly, the already popular 136hp electric variants were joined by a more powerful 156hp electric motor. They have 50kWh and 51kWh batteries respectively, which means the electric range is around 200-250 miles.
Given that these cars are so incredibly similar, the only difference comes down to how they’re set up.
The Corsa offers a comfortable ride, and it does a good job of soaking up bumps and potholes around town, whereas the 208 can feel slightly more engaging because it has responsive steering and slightly stiffer suspension.
Peugeot 208 vs. Vauxhall Corsa: interior
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The interior is what sets these cars apart, and the Peugeot 208 is the one to go for if you’re after style.
Entry level models are generally more well-equipped like-for-like – for example, when these cars launched in their latest iterations, the basic 208 had rear parking sensors and the Corsa didn’t.
Inside, the 208 has all the basics like air-conditioning, and you won’t have to look far for a higher-spec version with things like keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera.
We also like the digital instrument cluster on higher trim levels, which has a 3D effect and looks very high-tech.
On that, it’s worth noting that, like all other modern Peugeots, the 208’s steering wheel sits low. You’re meant to look over it, not through it, at the instrument cluster. It takes some getting used to, but it can actually be a pleasant experience.
In comparison, the Corsa has a far more simplistic dash layout, and there are very few buttons surrounding the touchscreen infotainment system, which offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Depending on the model year, you might have to climb the trim levels for things like parking sensors, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry, but you’ll also unlock serious luxuries like heated seats, a heated steering wheel and even massaging seats.
The Corsa also gets more car tech, for example, its matrix LED headlights on higher specifications can automatically adjust to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Some Peugeot models come with a less sophisticated automatic high-beam system that just turns them on or off, rather than adjusting them.
Vauxhall Corsa vs. Peugeot 208: which has more boot space?
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You’d be forgiven for thinking these cars have the same boot size, but that’s not the case.
The Peugeot 208 has a 311-litre space, and while the Corsa’s 309-litre space is very similar, it drops to 267 litres in the electric variant. Strangely, the electric version of the 208 is quoted to have the same 311 litres of space.
Compare Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208: which is more reliable?
Vauxhall and Peugeot have the added benefit of not only belonging to the same parent company, but also sharing that status with Citroen, DS and a lot of other companies.
That means that they can concentrate investment in fewer parts and share them across multiple brands, which is why the 208 and Corsa have the same engine and electric motor options.
Furthermore, the 1.2-litre petrol engine has been in production for a long time, and it’s used very widely, so there’s a lot of data to back up its reliability.
While the mild hybrid and electric models are newer and have less data, they’ve proven themselves to be dependable so far.
Peugeot 208 vs. Vauxhall Corsa size and dimensions
There’s really not a lot that separates these two in terms of dimensions, so don’t base your decision on which is the biggest or the smallest.
The Peugeot 208 measures 4,055mm long, 1,960mm wide (including mirrors) and 1,430mm tall. The Vauxhall Corsa is 4,060mm long, 1,960mm wide and 1,433mm tall.
Used Vauxhall Corsa vs. used Peugeot 208: which should you buy?
Strip away the styling details and you have two virtually identical models, so picking which you prefer is a lot easier than you might think.
With things like power options and dimensions taken care of, you’re free to base your decision almost exclusively on which you prefer the look and feel of.