The Peugeot 2008 is the French carmaker’s bid to capitalise on the fast-growing sector of compact crossovers, targeting buyers looking for a small car, but one with added practicality and an elevated ride height. Built on the same platform as the 208 supermini, albeit it taller and longer (96mm and 200mm respectively), the 2008 blends together the youthful style of a small car with the practicality of an SUV. The 2008 has plenty of competition though, including the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka and Renault Captur. Performance 3/5 The 1.6-litre diesel mated to a five-speed manual that we tested gives you that typical balance of power and efficiency you can expect with a diesel unit of this size. Although its power output of 92bhp isn’t massively attractive on paper, its 230Nm of pulling power makes up for it, which makes its 0-62 time of 12.8 seconds feel not too bad at all. When it comes to its competitors however, the Nissan Juke’s diesel range blows the 2008 out of the water, with both its 1.5-litre dCi and 1.6-litre DiG-T units topping it when it comes to power, torque and acceleration. The 1.5-litre dCi for example, which is the closest in terms of performance comparison, has 109bhp, 260Nm of torque and a 0-62 sprint time of 11.2 seconds. While the gears are well-judged ratio-wise, the gearstick feels a little sloppy, which takes some getting used to if you’re used to a sharp, accurate gear change. Ride and Handling 3.5/5 Unfortunately, the 2008 is not as sharp as its supermini brother on the road. The steering feels well-weighted but lacks feedback, making cornering a little vague as you are never quite sure where the front wheels are up to. There is also quite a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds and it serves up a fair amount of body roll in the corners, no doubt thanks to its taller stature. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The 2008 is very comfortable to drive, with a fairly supple suspension and good grip, which is further enhanced by an adaptable Grip Control feature which includes Snow, Sand and All-terrain modes. When it comes to ride and handling in this segment of the market, there still isn’t a model that has hit the nail on the head. So, before you go off the 2008, just bear in mind that these criticisms are more or less a recurring theme for compact SUVs. Interior 4.5/5 The 2008’s interior has definitely retained the fun factor of the 208, with plenty of glossy finishes and ambient lighting to welcome you into the cabin. Plus, the 2008’s instrument panel adopts Peugeot’s de-cluttered layout. Standard kit on all models ticks the basic boxes, as you get air con, a radio CD player and even cruise control. The mid-range Allure trim we had has the likes of DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity rear parking sensors and tinted rear windows. Peugeot’s new compact steering feels quite sporty, but it’s a pain when it comes to finding a comfortable seating position as it can be difficult to see the speedometer. In terms of practicality, the 2008 bridges the gap between supermini and SUV perfectly. The cabin feels airy, there is impressive head and leg room for passengers and the boot is extremely versatile. Not only does its boot space trump the likes of the Juke (251 litres) with 360 litres, but there is a low loading level to help with heavy objects and a completely flat surface when you fold its seats down. Costs 3.5/5 The 1.6-litre diesel returns an average of around 65mpg and emits 103g/km. As it sits above the 100g mark, unfortunately the 1.6-litre diesel is not road tax free, but it is kind on running costs thanks to its high mpg figure. Its price is what really separates it from the pack though, as the 2008 is one of the cheapest compact crossovers out there at £12,995, undercutting the Nissan Juke (£13,420), Vauxhall Mokka (£16,199) and Renault Captur (£14,195). Verdict 3.5/5 The Peugeot 2008 doesn’t break the mould in the compact SUV segment and its driving dynamics are underwhelming. It does, however, have all of the right criteria to compete with the rest of the crowd, and its practicality is excellent. And let’s not forget about that all-important price tag.
Our Rating
