Distinctive 208 Mk2 — small, sharp, the small-car choice for drivers who care what they're sitting in.
At a glance
Who is the Peugeot 208 for?
Two travellers who want a small car that feels like an event rather than an appliance — the 208 has the sharpest chassis at this end of the riviera fleet.
- Couples
- Design-led renters
- Coastal-road drivers
Best regional use
Light nose, small turning circle and a tiny steering wheel that makes the Sveti Stefan hairpins and the single-track above Pržno feel bespoke. Lively on the E80 to Petrovac; at 4,055 mm still slots into the Slovenska summer bays without drama.
The Peugeot 208 on Budva Riviera roads
Behind the wheel
The 208 Mk2 is Peugeot's small-car answer to the design-at-any-cost question, and the version you get in Budva is the 1.2 PureTech 100 hp three-cylinder with a six-speed manual. It behaves a size above its class inside — the tiny steering wheel and head-up instruments feel boutique rather than budget, and the leather-wrapped gear knob is something you notice on day three. Around the Budva seafront the chassis is firmer than a Clio's and more composed than a Polo's, and the kerb weight under 1,150 kg means the little triple pulls with genuine urgency out of 2,000 rpm.
On Budva Riviera roads
On the Budva Riviera the 208 is in its element on anything with corners. The Sveti Stefan hairpin cluster and the single-track down to Pržno reward small diameters and sharp turn-in, and the 208 delivers both — you place the front wheels with your fingertips, not your wrists. The 22 km coast road from Tivat Airport is less flattering: the firm damping lets through more of the patched surface than a softer supermini would. On sustained motorway work out to Petrovac the little 1.2 runs out of torque earlier than the Clio's 1.0 TCe, and you use the gearbox more than you might want at 120 km/h.
Space and load
The 311-litre boot is average for the class and the loading lip is slightly high, so a big suitcase travels on its side rather than upright. Two cabin-size cases and two duffels is the realistic two-up riviera load; fold the rear bench and it expands to 1,106 litres for the occasional IKEA trip or a week of Buljarica beach kit. Rear-seat access is less accommodating than a Clio's or Polo's — the B-pillar is further forward than it should be for adults — but for two adults up front and occasional child passengers at the back the 208 is fine. It is not a four-adults-for-a-fortnight car.
Best journeys for this car
The 208 belongs to the renter who cares what the car looks like in the Sveti Stefan overlook photo. Couples picking a Budva-Riviera apartment for five nights, design-conscious drivers who find the Clio and Polo interchangeable, and the kind of visitor who rates the drive itself as one of the holiday activities. It also suits solo travellers on longer riviera stays who want a small car that stays interesting after day ten. It is the wrong pick for anyone prioritising ride comfort on the Tivat Airport run or for a family-of-four with full luggage — a 308 or Golf is the correct next step up.
Practical notes
Fuel sits around 5.4 L/100 km indicated on mixed coastal driving, and the 44-litre tank gives real 800 km range on the riviera. Slovenska's summer bays at €1–2/h accept 4,055 mm without drama, the TQ Plaza underground takes it easily, and the free winter parking at Bečići runs from November to April. Summer AC is strong for the size. The i-Cockpit layout — small wheel below the instruments — needs a minute to adapt to if you are tall; try the driving position before you commit on a two-week booking. Lane Assist works well on the E80 but, as with every Peugeot, can be switched off via a dedicated stalk button.
The verdict
Pick the 208 if your Budva trip is two people, coastal, and you want the chassis and the cabin to feel like more than just transport. Skip it if you need softer ride comfort, more motorway torque, or genuine four-adult luggage capacity.
Inside the car
- 3D i-Cockpit
- Apple CarPlay
- Cruise Control
- Lane Assist