Peugeot

2008/e-2008

With engine options, including a fully electrified version, and a choice of generously equipped trim levels to choose from, the latest Peugeot 2008 really raises the bar in the compact crossover segment. It oozes class and individuality plus offers outstanding economy along the way.

Test Drive

Peugeot e-2008 GT Electric (2023)

With a choice of petrol or fully electric powertrains and the promise of a hybrid version on the horizon, there is plenty of choice for anyone considering the Peugeot 2008 for their next car.

It’s a compact family SUV that’s very easy on the eye and, depending on which model you choose, can be very easy on the pocket too. In fact, the entry-level car powered by a 1.2 PureTech petrol engine costs just over £24k.

However, we were tested the e-2008 electric version and, as is the way, EVs see quite a price hike with the line-up starting from £36,500.

Customers can choose between trims called Active, Allure, GT and First Edition and we opted for the e-2008 GT version, priced at £40,700, increased to £42,100 with a few optional extras factored in.

The car features a 54kWh battery and front axle motor for front-wheel drive. It delivers 156hp and 260Nm of torque resulting in a 0-62mph sprint time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 93mph. But probably the most important figure is the range between charges which is a respectable 252 miles.

Admittedly there are faster electric compact SUVs out there, but where this Peugeot excels is its comfort levels – they are simply sublime.

And the e-2008 is no slouch either with sharp acceleration out the starting blocks through the single-speed automatic transmission. It’s a confident motorway cruiser effortlessly eating up the miles at 70mph but can show its true capabilities when faced with twisting country lanes. It is beautifully poised, balanced and delivers confident grip with minimal body roll as it fizzes through the corners.

You can switch through drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport that change the driving characteristics of the car and there is a B setting on the gear selector to increase the level of regenerative braking, so more energy can be recouped along the way.

With fairly light steering, city driving is made easier with impressive manoeuvrability and the great all-round driver visibility is another plus point. In addition, there will be no unexpected Congestion Charge or Ultra Low Emission Zone fines dropping through the letterbox as this car emits zero carbon emissions.

One thing is guaranteed though, the e-2008 will grab the attention of onlookers thanks to its dynamic styling. Eye-catching features include a black contrast roof, black pillars and a black rear spoiler. It features a 3D-effect grille, distinctive front and rear light signatures, privacy glass, GT badging and striking 17-inch diamond-cut, two-tone alloy wheels.

The cabin is also beautifully crafted and our car featured upgraded Alcantara Iconium upholstery with neat green contrast stitching. This upgrade cost an extra £500 but also introduced heated and powered seats that boasted a massage function.

On-board tech impresses with a 10-inch infotainment screen being the main focal point and the nerve centre to the likes of the 3D TomTom navigation with Live updates (£400 extra), a six-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a DAB radio and Bluetooth.

The steering wheel is squircle shaped (a mix of square and circle) and its compact size does take a little getting used to, but it is nicely weighted albeit a little on the light side. Elsewhere all the dials and controls are easy to operate on the fly while the vital driving data such as speed and range can be viewed on a clear digital display behind the steering wheel.

The cabin is spacious, especially up front where a couple of six-footers can sit comfortably. Rear legroom is okay, but not great especially if the front seats are pushed back. But there is ample room for a trio of youngsters and there are Isofix anchors to the outer rear seats to easily fit child seats.

The boot can accommodate 434 litres of luggage with extra space to store all the cables beneath the floor. This capacity increases to 1,467 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. In addition, there is a glovebox, central cubby, door bins, front and rear cup holders, seat back nets and a wireless charging pad for added convenience.

On the practicality front, the e-2008 can be charged in 30 minutes to 80 per cent via a fast charger, or to 100 per cent in 7 hours, 30 minutes if connected to a 7kW home wallbox.

When you also factor in the wealth of safety features and driver assistance aids, the Peugeot e-2008 is a great family SUV and, with its impressive driving range between charges, will be ideal for any EV newbies.

Test Drive

Peugeot 2008 – first drive (2020)

Peugeot has a new slogan ‘Unboring the Future’ and if the latest 2008 compact SUV is anything to go by, there are very exciting times ahead for the French car maker.

Boasting sharp styling, punchy yet efficient engines and all the on-board technology you could possibly wish for, the new 2008 is priced from £20,150.

Customers can choose from generously-equipped trim levels called Active, Allure, GT Line and GT, along with a range of powertrains. There are three-cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engines with 100, 130 or 155PS and a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions. Or for anyone who favours diesel engines, the 2008 is available with a 1.5-litre 100PS unit matched to a six-speed manual gearbox.

There is little doubt that the 2008 is a great looking car guaranteed to turn heads thanks to its dynamic lines and eye-catching design cues. For example, there is a large grille with a choice of designs according to trim, plus Peugeot’s signature three-claw-effect front and rear lights. These are now connected at the back by a gloss black bar with the PEUGEOT name shining bright. And, depending on trim, there is the likes of black pillars, privacy glass, chrome trim and neat alloy wheels to complete the look.

Step inside and the new 2008 is thoroughly modern in its design and layout with a very driver-focused cockpit along with a wealth of techno treats to explore.

The car features the latest Peugeot 3D i-cockpit with a compact steering wheel, 3.5-inch configurable 3D digital head-up display with hologram technology from Allure upwards, along with full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, sat nav with European mapping, wireless charging and plenty more besides.

The new five-door model is longer than the outgoing 2008 measuring 4.3 metres in length and that results in additional space within the vehicle. In fact, there is ample room in the back of the car for a trio of passengers to sit comfortably with plenty of leg, elbow and head space.

As the 2008 is billed as a compact SUV it needs to fit in with family life and offer all the versatility and practicality necessary and it delivers on all counts. The boot can accommodate 434 litres of kit – a limit that increases to 1,467 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat. And there are numerous convenient storage options throughout the car, including a glovebox, central bin, cup holders, door pockets and some handy trays.

Peugeot is confident the most popular trim level with buyers will be the GT Line, so we tested that model powered by the 1.2-litre PureTech 130PS petrol engine with 230Nm of torque mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. This car, priced at £26,100 (£27,600 with options) could sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 8.9 seconds and topped out at 122mph. According to official WLTP figures it could deliver combined fuel economy of 43.7-50.6mpg with carbon emissions of 103g/km.

In busy city centre traffic, the 2008 felt nicely agile with light steering for lots of twists and turns through the congestion. Then on the faster country lanes and B roads, it was well balanced with good levels of grip meaning bends could be attacked with a high degree of confidence.

The acceleration through the gears proved both smooth and responsive and there was always a constant stream of power on tap from the three-pot engine to help make light work of hill climbs or overtaking slower moving traffic.

Our test car was sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels which are the largest available on the 2008. This does mean the ride quality is slightly less forgiving over bumps and dips than the 16 or 17-inch wheels, but they do look the business.

The elevated driving position results in good all-round visibility although wide B pillars slightly obscure the over-the-shoulder view at times.

And despite the car receiving four out of five stars for safety when tested for its Euro NCAP score, the 2008 does come fully loaded with safety features and driver aids with extra systems being introduced as you step up through the different grades.

Our GT Line model featured lane keeping assist, anti-lock brakes with electronic braking distribution and emergency braking assistance, driver attention warning, along with some optional extras such as a Drive Assist Pack with adaptive cruise control, active blind spot monitoring plus a semi auto park assist system.

All in all, the new Peugeot 2008 has really upped the stakes in the compact SUV sector. It looks modern and dynamic in its design, drives beautifully, is packed with all the latest creature comforts and carries a price-tag that won’t scare off potential buyers.

Test Drive

Peugeot 2008 1.2 PureTech 130PS Allure

Compact by name but not by nature – that’s the new Peugeot 2008 which is very big on style, value, character and driving dynamics.

The 2008 is competing in the fiercely-contested compact SUV segment but the latest model has plenty to shout about with its fresh design and excellent assortment of on-board technology.

The car is deceptively spacious inside and has modern styling to help it stand out in any crowd. It certainly looks robust with a number of eye-catching features, including 17-inch alloys, roof rails, a rear sports spoiler, LED daytime running lights, rear ‘claw- effect LED lights, cornering assist fog lights, a distinctive vertical front grille, front and rear scuff plates and beefed up wheel arches.

Step inside and there’s a wealth of on-board techno treats to be explored. The cabin has a premium feel to it with smart upholstery and a driver-focused cockpit. Creature comforts include the likes of a 7-inch multifunction colour touchscreen with Mirror Screen and CarPlay to keep you connected on the move, plus a DAB radio, Bluetooth, automatic dual zone air conditioning and plenty more besides. The test car also included some optional extras such as Park Assist, a reversing camera and sat nav which bumped up the asking price from £18,470 to £20,565.

It featured Grip Control which is an adapted traction system that gives the 2008 extra purchase on slippery surfaces. Although it’s not quite the same as four-wheel drive, the driver can select from five modes – Standard, Snow, Mud, Sand or ESP Off – and the car copes admirably with the changing conditions.

Powered by a three-cylinder, 1.2-litre, 130bhp petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the 2008 can reach 62mph from a standing start in 9.3 seconds and maxes out at 124mph. According to official figures, it can deliver combined fuel economy of 58.9mpg with carbon emissions of 110g/km.

The driver benefits from an upright and slightly elevated driving position which results in excellent all-round visibility. Comfort levels are good for all occupants with ample space for two full-sized adults to stretch out in the back. There is room for a third back seat passenger, but it does become a tad squashed.

When it comes to the driving experience, the 2008 certainly lives up to the big build up. It’s really sprightly and full of zip and can cope just as effectively in busy town centre traffic as it does on the open road and fast-paced motorways.

The acceleration through the gears is sharp and responsive and there is a constant supply of power on tap from the lively three-pot engine – it even copes well on steep inclines when fully laden with occupants and luggage. The compact sports wheel offers precise steering and the car’s road-holding is nicely assured which means it can be pushed hard into bends with confidence.

On the downside, there is a little wind and road-surface noise at higher speeds, but generally the car is well insulated against outside interruptions.

Another very clever feature is the Park Assist. Once activated, the vehicle will notify the driver when a suitable parking space has been found. The Park Assist system then automatically moves the steering wheel to guide the car into the space while the driver keeps a general lookout and controls the acceleration and braking accordingly. The system also works in a similar fashion when exiting a tight parking space.

As one would expect, the 2008 is packed with a comprehensive range of safety features and when you factor in the generously-sized boot with a capacity ranging from 410 to 1,400 litres depending on rear seat positioning, the car is a fabulous all-rounder for active families who demand a certain amount of style along the way.

Road Test

Peugeot 2008 1.2 VTi 82bhp Allure

Peugeot has never been a company that shied away from change and the challenge of making a crossover model stand out in a fiercely competitive segment was never going to be easy.

But the stunning 2008 does just that with its fun, funky and stylish design features.

In fact, it looks great from any angle thanks to rear lamps featuring claw effect LEDs, 16-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, stainless steel front and rear scuff plates, roof rails, dark tinted rear windows, a massive panoramic sunroof, chrome door mirrors and a larger-than-life grille that seems to grin at you as you approach.

And it has every right to grin because from the moment you take your seat behind the tiny sports steering wheel each and every journey is guaranteed to be fun-packed.

The interior oozes character and there are flashes of elegance at every turn with stunning neon blue-style LED lights surrounding the instrument dials being just one stand-out feature.

There is also a chunky aviation-inspired handbrake, a refrigerated glovebox, a multi-function colour touchscreen, DAB digital radio, CD player, USB connectivity, Bluetooth, dual zone air conditioning and lots more besides.

The test car was priced at £15,095, but also featured an optional sat nav upgrade costing an additional £400 along with park assist (£300) which will automatically park the vehicle for you.

The spacious interior can easily accommodate four adults and the cabin is nice and bright thanks to that panoramic sunroof.

Storage options are also very good with a generously-sized boot that can be extended further thanks to split-folding rear seats. There is additional space under the boot floor and another bonus is the low loading sill which makes transporting awkwardly-shaped or extra heavy items that much easier.

The tiny sports steering wheel is rather unusual but I found I quickly got accustomed to it and after a week-long test I was dreading going back to a larger, more conventional wheel.

It was beautifully responsive, although I did find no matter how I adjusted my seat or the steering wheel itself, it always obscured some of the information panels on the dashboard.

That small gripe aside though, the 2008 was brilliant to whizz around town in. Despite its tiny 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol-driven engine, it had plenty of power on tap and can reach 62mph in 13.5 seconds. It struggled a little on longer, steeper inclines, but coped perfectly with any other tests that came its way.

The five-speed manual transmission was nice and smooth and according to Peugeot figures, the 2008 can deliver combined fuel efficiency of 57.6mpg, which is also impressive.

As one would expect, Peugeot has packed a comprehensive range of safety specifications into the car, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme with hill assist, automatic hazard light activation, numerous airbags and plenty more.

All in all, the Peugeot 2008 is a stunning crossover model and will send a very strong warning message out to rival manufacturers.