Peugeot 2008 Review

The Peugeot 2008 has always stood apart from the more sensible-looking end of the small SUV market. Where cars such as the Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Cross put function first, the Peugeot 2008 tries to add a bit more drama. That shows in the styling, the cabin design and the way Peugeot has positioned it as something a little more desirable than the norm.

The good news is that it is more than just a fashion statement. The 2008 is practical enough for everyday family use, easy to drive around town and comfortable enough to cope with longer trips. The 2023 facelift sharpened up the styling further and helped keep the car looking fresh, while the infotainment and powertrain line-up also moved on over time.

One of the Peugeot 2008’s strengths is that it offers a sensible spread of versions. There are petrol models for buyers who want the simplest route in, plus a mild-hybrid for those chasing better economy without plugging in. There’s an electric version too, but our Peugeot E-2008 review covers that in more detail.

The downside is that not every part of the car is as universally appealing as its styling. The Peugeot i-Cockpit layout, with its tiny steering wheel and high-set instruments, still divides opinion, and while the rear seat is decent enough, it is not class-leading for passenger space. Some rivals are also a little more straightforward and relaxing to drive.

Still, the Peugeot 2008 remains one of the most complete style-led small SUVs. It looks special, it feels more expensive inside than many alternatives and it covers the family-car basics well enough to be more than just a pretty face.

For most buyers, the best Peugeot 2008 is the Hybrid 145 in Allure trim. It gives you the strongest blend of efficiency, refinement and value without pushing you into the pricier end of the range.

The entry-level 1.2-litre 100hp petrol still makes sense if your budget is tight, because the current starting price is relatively competitive and the engine is perfectly adequate for urban and suburban use. But the hybrid feels better suited to the Peugeot 2008’s slightly more polished character. It is smoother in traffic, more economical on paper and avoids the slightly hesitant feel some small turbo-petrols can have when worked hard.

There’s an electric version too, but our Peugeot E-2008 review covers that in more detail.

As for trim, Allure is the sweet spot. It gives you the digital i-Cockpit, 10-inch touchscreen, front parking sensors and the main design details that make the Peugeot 2008 feel properly upmarket. GT adds useful kit and extra visual punch, but it is more of a want than a need.

In simple terms, Allure is the smartest buy, GT is the desirable one and the Hybrid 145 is the powertrain most buyers should start with.

The Peugeot 2008 now starts at £25,695 in current UK configurator form for the 1.2-litre 100hp petrol. From there, prices rise through the automatic petrol and Hybrid 145 versions, topping out at £29,095 in current petrol and hybrid form.

That puts the Peugeot 2008 into the heart of the small SUV market rather than at the bargain end of it. It is no longer especially cheap, but it does at least look and feel like a more premium product than some rivals at similar money.

Used values are also worth noting. Early second-generation cars are now much more affordable, which helps the 2008 make a decent case for itself as a nearly new buy.

The Ford Puma is one of the Peugeot 2008’s clearest rivals because it is still the best small SUV in this class to drive and remains one of the smartest all-rounders. If driver appeal matters to you, the Ford has the edge.

The Renault Captur is another strong alternative if you want style but need a little more day-to-day flexibility. It is practical, easy to use and offers a calmer, more conventional cabin than the Peugeot 2008.

The Volkswagen T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq are the rational choices. They are less visually interesting, but both are roomy, straightforward and easy to recommend if usability matters more than design flair.

If you like the Peugeot 2008’s underpinnings but want a different flavour, the Vauxhall Mokka and Alfa Romeo Junior also deserve a look. The Peugeot 2008 makes the most sense if you want your small SUV to feel a bit more special than the average crossover, without giving up the everyday basics.

The Peugeot 2008 is practical enough to work as a small family car, even if it is not the roomiest car in the class. Up front, there is plenty of space, a good amount of storage and enough adjustment to get comfortable. The higher seating position also helps the 2008 feel more SUV-like than some lower-riding alternatives.

Rear-seat space is respectable. Two adults will fit comfortably enough, and access is helped by wide-opening rear doors. Taller passengers may still wish for a little more knee room if there is a tall driver in front, but this is not a cramped car by class standards.

Boot space is 434 litres, which is a useful number for a small SUV and enough for a weekly family shop, a buggy or a couple of larger bags. Fold the rear seats and that rises to 1,467 litres. The adjustable floor also helps by reducing the load lip and making the space easier to use.

So while the Peugeot 2008 is not a packaging champion, it does enough here to avoid feeling style-led at the expense of function. For many buyers, that will be enough.

The Peugeot 2008 measures 4,304mm long, 1,770mm wide & 1,523mm high. That makes it a little longer than some small SUV rivals while still being compact enough for urban use.

In practical terms, it is easy enough to park and thread through town, but it also has enough footprint to feel like a proper family car rather than just a supermini on stilts. That is part of the 2008’s appeal.

Technology is one of the Peugeot 2008’s stronger areas, especially in later facelifted cars. The 10-inch touchscreen is now standard across the range, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help make the system feel more current than some earlier versions.

The infotainment itself is easy enough to use, though it is not the quickest or slickest setup in the class. A Volkswagen Group rival still tends to feel slightly more intuitive. Even so, the Peugeot 2008’s screen is clear enough, the menus are manageable and the overall setup does the job.

The more divisive tech feature is the i-Cockpit instrument layout. On higher-spec cars, the 3D digital instrument display looks genuinely interesting and gives the 2008 a strong wow factor. The catch is that not all drivers will find the seating position natural, because Peugeot expects you to look over the small steering wheel rather than through it.

If it suits you, the effect is distinctive and a bit special. If it does not, it can be irritating every single day. That is something to check carefully on a test drive.

The Peugeot 2008’s interior materials are good enough to give it a more upmarket feel than many small SUVs. Soft-touch surfaces, contrasting textures and a more sculpted dashboard design all help the car feel less ordinary than the norm.

Higher trims add more of the visual flourish, including the more impressive digital display, ambient lighting and smarter upholstery finishes. Even so, the core impression is already positive in mid-range versions.

This is one of those cabins that can genuinely help sell the car. It is not perfect, but it feels more ambitious than the interiors of many rivals at similar money.

The Peugeot 2008 range currently revolves around three main choices: a 1.2-litre petrol with 100PS, a 1.2-litre automatic petrol with 130PS, and the Hybrid 145. That gives buyers a sensible spread from simple entry-level petrol through to the more rounded hybrid.

The 100PS petrol is the entry point and is fine for lighter use, but it is not the engine that really flatters the car. The 130PS automatic petrol is a better fit if you want stronger performance and a more relaxed motorway companion. The Hybrid 145 then improves things further by bringing a useful step up in refinement and efficiency.

There’s an electric version too, but our Peugeot e-2008 review covers that in more detail.

For most buyers, the Hybrid 145 makes the strongest case because it gives the 2008 a smoother, more effortless feel without changing the character of the car.

The Peugeot 2008 is very easy to drive in town. Light steering, good visibility and the compact dimensions make it simple to place, while the raised seating position gives a reassuring view out.

On the move, the 2008 feels tidy and more agile than some rivals, though it is not the class benchmark for fun. A Ford Puma is still more engaging on a good road. The Peugeot’s strengths are more about ease of use and a generally polished feel.

Ride comfort is decent overall, though bigger wheels can add a firmer edge than necessary. The 2008 generally copes well enough with rough roads, but a Skoda Kamiq is a little more settled and forgiving. Refinement is good for the class, with low road noise and a generally mature feel on a longer run.

The manual gearbox is a weak point because it has a long, slightly stodgy throw. That makes the automatic petrol and hybrid models easier to recommend if your budget allows.

The Peugeot 2008 received a four-star Euro NCAP rating in 2019. That is not a poor result, but it does leave it looking a little behind some rivals that managed the full five stars.

Safety kit is decent, and higher-spec cars can be fitted with extra assistance technology such as the Drive Assist Pack, which adds more advanced motorway support. As ever, it is worth checking the exact specification of the car you are considering, especially on used examples.

The Hybrid 145 is officially capable of up to 62.1mpg, which gives it a clear edge over the regular petrols. The entry-level 100hp petrol is quoted at just under 50mpg, while the 130hp automatic sits slightly below that.

Those are respectable numbers for a small SUV, even if they do not quite make the Peugeot 2008 a class-leading economy champion. The hybrid is the version most likely to make good sense in mixed real-world driving, because it improves both efficiency and drivability.

There’s also an electric version if you want the EV alternative, but that sits slightly outside the core petrol-and-hybrid focus of this review.

Peugeot’s standard manufacturer warranty is three years from first registration. In the first two years it is unlimited mileage, while the third year is capped at 60,000 miles.

On top of that, Peugeot Care can extend cover on eligible electric models such as the E-2008. Peugeot describes this as three years of standard manufacturer warranty plus up to five years of additional coverage, reactivated when the car is serviced within the participating Peugeot network and valid up to eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

So the key point is this: every Peugeot 2008 gets a three-year standard warranty, but the headline up to eight years only applies if the car qualifies for Peugeot Care and continues to meet its servicing conditions. On used cars, service history matters a great deal.

Insurance groups for the current Peugeot 2008 run from around group 16 for petrol versions to group 23 for the hybrid. That puts it broadly in line with what you would expect from a modern small SUV with more premium styling and tech than the class norm.

In practice, it should not be painfully expensive to insure by class standards.

The Peugeot 2008 now costs £200 a year in VED after year one, which is the current standard annual rate for petrol and hybrid cars.

Petrol and hybrid models are measured against the £40,000 Expensive Car Supplement threshold, but the Peugeot 2008 range currently sits below that.

In simple terms, tax should be straightforward here and the 2008 avoids the expensive-car surcharge in normal form.