PEUGEOT has a reputation for building classy small cars.

The 205, 206, 207 and now 208 have all been top sellers in the UK over the past few decades.

The reputation is deserved and that expertise has trickled down to the baby of the current range, the 108, itself a replacement for the popular 107.

City or micro cars are no longer just tiny runabouts, but are cheap to buy and run, practical, and offer a decent enough drive.

The wheel in each corner philosophy means interior space is maximised and four adults are accommodated in comfort.

They are not just bland designs either, with many of the styling cues borrowed from bigger siblings and the facility to customise to your own requirements with various paint jobs and interior trims.

At a starting price of well under £8,000, you get a car capable of transporting four adults in comfort.

With the rear seats in place boot space is limited, but fold them down and stowage space opens up to a decent 780 litres. There is slightly more space in the three door.

But they are not designed as practical load carriers and are in their element in and around towns and cities, where parking spaces are tight and length of journeys mean creature comforts are not paramount.

However, if you are looking to travel further afield the range-topping GT Line offers those extra bells and whistles.

The French firm says it has been designed to look and feel like a sports car with changes to the body trim. The bling certainly makes it stand out, but not in a garish way.

The interior gets the treatment as well with trim upgrades to the dash. Prominent in the centre is the seven-inch multi-function screen which houses navigation, digital sound and connectivity features.

Other goodies include keyless entry, automatic brake and lane departure system and reversing camera.

Quite a package and it pushes the price to beyond £13,000.

The car does feel roomy inside with good head and legroom at the front and only slightly more cramped in the rear.

There is a choice of two feisty, three cylinder petrol engines. A 1.0-litre and the 1.2-litre unit on this model.

Both offer good acceleration and economy, but the larger unit has bags of pull, especially in a car of this size. Add to this the throaty rasp of the three cylinder engine and it makes for a good driving experience.

It can hit 60mph in 11 seconds and on to 105mph while delivering fuel economy of 66.7mpg. With emissions of just 99g/km it is exempt road tax and will be low on benefit in kind taxation.

With its wheel in each corner set up, it feels really stable and acquits itself well on bends and the tight turning circle means it is a doddle to park.

Despite being fully specced up, you don't expect too much refinement with small cars like these and road noise can be intrusive.

This GT Line version may not be the best seller in the range but even the entry level model Access is a good looking motor with reasonable kit.