Peugeot 104 Review: The Tiny French Car That Helped Shape the Modern Supermini
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| Peugeot 104 Review |
AutoReviewUS - The Peugeot 104 is one of those classic cars that can easily be overlooked by American readers because it never achieved the cultural visibility of the Volkswagen Beetle, Mini Cooper, or later Peugeot 205 in the United States.
Yet from an automotive-history perspective, the 104 is extremely important. Introduced in 1972, it became Peugeot's first modern city car and established a formula that would influence generations of compact European cars. Peugeot itself describes the 104 as the world's shortest four-door sedan at launch, measuring just 3.58 meters (about 140.9 inches). (peugeot-eg.com)
For American classic-car enthusiasts, the Peugeot 104 is therefore less about outright performance and more about engineering philosophy, compact packaging, light weight, driving character, and rarity.
Editor's verdict: The Peugeot 104 is an historically significant, lightweight European classic that makes the most sense as a collector or enthusiast car rather than a practical daily driver in the modern United States.
Peugeot 104 at a Glance
| Specification | Peugeot 104 |
|---|---|
| Production | 1972–1988 |
| Original body | 4-door sedan |
| Short version | 3-door |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Original engine | 954 cc four-cylinder |
| Original output | 46 hp |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Length | 3.58 m / 140.9 in |
| Width | 1.52 m / 59.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 2.42 m / 95.3 in |
| Curb weight | About 760 kg / 1,675 lb |
| Fuel tank | 40 liters / 10.6 U.S. gal |
| Production | 1,624,992 units |
The figures above illustrate just how small and light the 104 was. Contemporary specifications published in Le Monde list the original 954-cc four-cylinder at 46 hp, with front-wheel drive, a four-speed manual transmission and a claimed top speed of 135 km/h (about 84 mph). (Le Monde.fr)
Peugeot's own historical material confirms that the model remained in production until 1988 and that 1,624,992 examples were produced. (Stellantis Media)
1. Peugeot 104 History
The Peugeot 104 debuted in 1972 at a time when European manufacturers were responding to growing demand for inexpensive, economical and compact automobiles.
Peugeot's objective was ambitious: create a small car without making it feel like a stripped-down economy vehicle.
The result was a car only 3.58 meters long but with four doors. Peugeot promoted it with the slogan essentially meaning "all of Peugeot in 3.58 meters." The company's historical archive still identifies the 104 as the world's shortest four-door sedan when it was launched. (peugeot-eg.com)
The car was designed by Paolo Martin of Pininfarina, giving the small Peugeot proportions that were considerably more sophisticated than many inexpensive cars of the period. (Stellantis Media)
The 104 subsequently expanded into several body styles and engine configurations.
By the end of its life, Peugeot offered engines ranging from approximately 954 cc to 1,360 cc, while power outputs across the range extended from about 46 to 93 hp. (Stellantis Media)
2. What Makes the Peugeot 104 Interesting?
The most interesting characteristic of the 104 isn't horsepower.
It's packaging.
At roughly 1,675 pounds for the early version, the 104 was dramatically lighter than almost every modern American vehicle. The original four-cylinder produced only 46 hp, but the low weight meant the car didn't need a large engine to perform its basic transportation role. (automobile-catalog.com)
This is an important automotive lesson.
Modern vehicles have become substantially larger because of:
crash requirements
emissions equipment
infotainment
driver-assistance technology
larger engines
additional sound insulation
airbags
increased passenger expectations
The 104 existed in a completely different engineering environment.
Its philosophy was essentially:
small engine + low weight + front-wheel drive + compact dimensions = efficient transportation.
That concept eventually became central to the European supermini market.
3. Engine and Performance Review
The earliest Peugeot 104 used a 954-cc four-cylinder gasoline engine producing approximately 46 hp and 67.7 Nm (50 lb-ft) of torque. (automobile-catalog.com)
On paper, those numbers look extremely modest today.
The contemporary figures confirm that performance was never the primary objective. Le Monde reported approximately 20 seconds for 0–100 km/h and a maximum speed of 135 km/h. (Le Monde.fr)
How does that translate to modern American driving?
Not particularly well.
A 46-hp Peugeot 104 would feel painfully slow if placed into today's U.S. traffic environment.
On a modern American freeway, acceleration onto high-speed traffic would require considerably more planning than with a contemporary compact car.
But in its historical context, the performance was reasonable.
The 104 was designed primarily for European roads, urban environments and relatively modest speeds.
Verdict
Performance: 4/10 by modern standards
Performance: 7/10 in historical context
That distinction is important when reviewing a 50-year-old car.
4. Driving Dynamics
This is where the Peugeot 104 becomes more interesting.
The car used front-wheel drive and independent suspension, including a MacPherson-type front arrangement. Contemporary technical information lists independent suspension at both ends. (Le Monde.fr)
That architecture helped give the 104 the compact-car characteristics that European drivers increasingly valued.
The combination of:
short body
low mass
front-wheel drive
independent suspension
relatively small dimensions
made the car particularly suitable for narrow urban roads.
Peugeot's more recent historical material also characterizes the 104 as compact, agile and surprisingly lively because of its power-to-weight relationship. (Stellantis Media)
5. What Do Enthusiasts Say?
There is an important caveat when discussing American reader reviews.
The Peugeot 104 was not a mainstream U.S.-market car, so there is nothing comparable to the enormous American owner-review databases available for vehicles such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette or Toyota Camry.
Consequently, an American-oriented review has to rely heavily on classic-car enthusiast discussions, international owner experiences and historical road tests, while interpreting them through the perspective of a U.S. enthusiast.
That enthusiast perspective is generally fascinating because owners tend to appreciate the 104 for characteristics that modern cars have largely lost.
Positive themes
Enthusiasts commonly appreciate:
extremely compact dimensions
lightweight construction
unusual styling
simple mechanical character
distinctive French engineering
rarity
historical importance
relatively entertaining low-speed driving
A PistonHeads reader-car feature, for example, describes a 104 owner who specifically wanted an older French car and viewed the 104 as an unusual but appealing "working classic." The article also illustrates how rare surviving examples have become in the UK. (pistonheads.com)
Negative themes
The same enthusiast ecosystem also reveals the realities of owning an old 104.
Common concerns include:
rust
age-related mechanical problems
brake components
seals
parts availability
electrical issues
restoration costs
One Peugeot forum owner discussing a 1970s 104 specifically recalled the car as having a tendency to rust, while another enthusiast described a 104 from the 1980s as a well-preserved and enjoyable first car. (Forum-Peugeot.com)
This is a useful reminder:
A good Peugeot 104 can be charming. A neglected Peugeot 104 can become a restoration project.
6. Reliability: Is the Peugeot 104 Reliable?
It's difficult to judge the 104 using modern reliability standards.
The mechanical concept itself is relatively straightforward, but the age of surviving examples is now the dominant factor.
A 1970s Peugeot 104 is no longer simply a used car.
It is a 50-plus-year-old machine.
That means reliability depends heavily on:
Previous maintenance
Rust condition
Engine condition
Carburetor condition
Cooling system
Electrical wiring
Brake system
Suspension components
Availability of replacement parts
Quality of previous restoration work
This is why buying the cheapest 104 available can be a mistake.
A $5,000 project can easily become a much more expensive car after rust repair, mechanical refurbishment and sourcing rare parts.
7. Rust Is a Major Concern
Rust deserves special attention when evaluating a Peugeot 104.
Enthusiast discussions repeatedly mention corrosion as one of the problems associated with surviving examples. (Forum-Peugeot.com)
For an American collector considering importing one, inspect:
floor panels
rocker panels
wheel arches
suspension mounting points
windshield surrounds
door bottoms
trunk area
subframe areas
underbody seams
Surface rust isn't necessarily catastrophic.
Structural corrosion is.
A mechanically tired 104 can potentially be repaired.
A badly rusted body can consume the restoration budget very quickly.
8. Interior and Practicality
For such a small vehicle, the 104 was surprisingly ambitious.
Peugeot specifically positioned it as a small car offering comfort and interior space approaching larger categories. Its 2.42-meter wheelbase was impressive relative to the overall 3.58-meter length. (Le Monde.fr)
The original four-door configuration also made the car more practical than many tiny two-door economy cars.
The contemporary specification listed approximately 228 liters of luggage volume. (Le Monde.fr)
From today's perspective, however, the interior will feel:
narrow
basic
lightly insulated
ergonomically old-fashioned
lacking modern convenience equipment
There is no modern infotainment system, smartphone integration, backup camera or advanced driver assistance.
But that simplicity is precisely what attracts some classic-car enthusiasts.
9. Peugeot 104 vs Modern U.S. Small Cars
A useful way to understand the 104 is to compare its philosophy with today's American-market compact vehicles.
| Characteristic | Peugeot 104 | Modern U.S. Small Car |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Extremely light | Much heavier |
| Engine | Small naturally aspirated four-cylinder | Larger/more advanced engines |
| Safety equipment | Very limited by modern standards | Extensive |
| Electronics | Minimal | Extensive |
| Driving feel | Mechanical | Isolated/refined |
| Fuel economy philosophy | Low weight | Efficiency through technology |
| Performance | Modest | Much faster |
| Highway suitability | Limited | Much better |
| Collectibility | High among specialists | Depends on model |
This comparison highlights the fundamental difference between 1970s automotive engineering and today's vehicles.
The 104 wasn't "slow because Peugeot didn't know how to build fast cars."
It was slow because its mission was different.
10. The 104 ZS: The Interesting Performance Version
For enthusiasts, the more interesting part of the 104 story is the sporty 104 ZS.
Peugeot developed the ZS as a sportier version, and later the ZS2 became particularly significant.
According to Stellantis' historical material, Peugeot homologated 1,000 examples of the 104 ZS2 for Group B-related purposes. The ZS2 used a 1.4-liter engine producing approximately 68 kW, or around 93 hp, while weighing just over 700 kg. (Stellantis Media)
That gives the ZS2 a completely different personality from the basic 954-cc 104.
The lightweight platform combined with more power helped establish a performance-car philosophy that would later become much more famous in the Peugeot 205 GTI.
In that sense, the 104 is part of the genetic history behind one of Peugeot's most celebrated hot hatches.
11. Peugeot 104 and the Peugeot 205 Connection
The Peugeot 104 is particularly important because it helped establish the technical and commercial direction that eventually led toward the 205.
Peugeot's own historical documentation describes the 205 as the natural successor to the 104. (Stellantis Media)
The 205 subsequently became one of Peugeot's defining models.
That makes the 104 more than an obscure old French economy car.
It represents an important step in the evolution of Peugeot's small-car strategy:
104 → 205 → 106 → 206 → 207 → 208
Peugeot's historical materials describe this lineage as part of a broader 50-year evolution of the brand's city-car family. (Stellantis Media)
12. Is the Peugeot 104 Safe by Modern Standards?
This is one area where potential American buyers need to be realistic.
The Peugeot 104 was engineered in the 1970s, decades before today's comprehensive crash-safety requirements and advanced restraint systems.
It does not offer the safety technology Americans now expect from a modern vehicle, such as:
multiple airbags
electronic stability control
modern crash structures
automatic emergency braking
lane departure systems
blind-spot monitoring
modern pedestrian protection
Therefore, the 104 should be viewed primarily as a classic collector vehicle, not as a substitute for a modern daily driver.
For an American enthusiast, this is perhaps the biggest practical limitation.
13. Can You Own a Peugeot 104 in the United States?
Yes, but the biggest challenge isn't necessarily the car itself.
It's the support ecosystem.
Because the 104 wasn't a mainstream U.S.-market automobile, American owners can face difficulties sourcing:
body panels
trim
glass
interior parts
suspension components
electrical components
engine-specific parts
Specialist European suppliers and enthusiast networks become particularly important.
This makes the Peugeot 104 much more appropriate for an enthusiast who enjoys researching parts and performing maintenance than for someone wanting inexpensive transportation.
14. Peugeot 104 Collector Value
The 104 occupies an unusual position in the classic-car market.
It has several factors working in its favor:
Positive
Historical significance
The 104 helped establish Peugeot's modern city-car strategy.
Rarity
Surviving examples are far less common than better-known classics.
Design
The Pininfarina connection adds historical interest.
Lightweight engineering
The 104 represents a very different approach to automotive design.
Performance variants
The ZS and especially ZS2 increase enthusiast interest.
Negative
Limited American recognition
Many U.S. buyers simply don't know the model.
Parts challenges
The U.S. support network is relatively small.
Rust
Corrosion can seriously affect restoration economics.
Limited performance
The basic 104 is objectively slow by modern standards.
Safety
It is not appropriate for modern high-speed daily transportation.
15. Should Americans Import a Peugeot 104?
For most Americans, probably not as a primary vehicle.
But as a collector car?
Absolutely—if the buyer understands what they're purchasing.
The ideal owner is someone who appreciates:
French automotive history
Pininfarina design
unusual European cars
lightweight engineering
mechanical simplicity
vintage-car ownership
rare automobiles
The wrong buyer is someone looking for:
modern reliability
inexpensive daily transportation
freeway performance
modern safety
easy parts availability
16. Peugeot 104 Review: Pros and Cons
Pros
Historically significant
Very lightweight
Compact dimensions
Interesting French engineering
Pininfarina-designed styling
Front-wheel drive
Simple mechanical architecture
Rare in the United States
Interesting ZS performance derivatives
Important predecessor to the Peugeot 205
Cons
Very slow in basic versions
Minimal modern safety
Rust can be a major issue
Parts can be difficult to source
Limited U.S. specialist network
Old electrical systems require patience
Restoration can become expensive
Poor choice for modern freeway commuting
17. Our Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Historical significance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Styling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| Driving enjoyment | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | ⭐⭐½ |
| Practicality today | ⭐⭐ |
| Reliability potential | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Parts availability in USA | ⭐⭐ |
| Collectibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Uniqueness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Daily-driver suitability | ⭐⭐ |
Overall: 7.8/10 as a classic
The Peugeot 104 isn't a great car because it is fast.
It's interesting because it represents a completely different approach to automobile design.
Final Verdict: Is the Peugeot 104 Worth Buying?
The Peugeot 104 deserves considerably more attention from American classic-car enthusiasts.
It combined a tiny footprint with four-door practicality, front-wheel drive, independent suspension and a lightweight construction philosophy that was remarkably progressive for the early 1970s. Peugeot ultimately produced 1,624,992 examples between 1972 and 1988, demonstrating that the concept was commercially successful even though the model is obscure today. (Stellantis Media)
The most compelling reason to own one today isn't its speed or convenience.
It's the experience.
Driving a 104 provides a window into an era when an economical car could weigh less than 1,700 pounds and use a sub-liter engine. For American enthusiasts accustomed to increasingly large vehicles, that makes the 104 particularly fascinating.
The basic 954-cc model is best viewed as a charming historical car, while the 104 ZS/ZS2 is arguably the more desirable choice for performance-oriented collectors.
For a U.S. buyer, however, condition matters enormously. A rust-free, mechanically sorted example with documentation is likely to be much more attractive than a cheap project car requiring extensive restoration.
Ultimately, the Peugeot 104 isn't for everyone.
But if your definition of a great classic includes rarity, engineering history, lightweight construction and personality, the 104 deserves a place on your shortlist.
Sources & further reading
PEUGEOT official history — Peugeot's historical record of the 104's 1972 launch. (peugeot-eg.com)
Stellantis Media — Peugeot 104 history — Production history, dimensions and development of the 104. (Stellantis Media)
Stellantis Media — Peugeot city-car heritage — 104 production figures, body styles and power range. (Stellantis Media)
Le Monde contemporary road-test/specification archive — Period specifications and performance data. (Le Monde.fr)
PistonHeads Peugeot 104 reader feature — Enthusiast ownership perspective and rarity context. (pistonheads.com)
About the Author
David Mulyana is the founder and editor of AutoReviewUS, an independent automotive publication dedicated to delivering reliable reviews, industry news, buying guides, and expert insights. His work focuses on cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles (EVs), automotive technology, maintenance, and market trends in the United States and around the world.
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