Peugeot 2008 Review 2022
Peugeot 2008 At A Glance
The 2008 is the face of Peugeot's relaunch as a serious contender in the SUV market. Smartly styled, good to drive and offered with the excellent 1.2 PureTech petrol engine, the 2008 is one of Peugeot's best-selling cars in the UK and a key rival to the Ford Puma. We'll cover everything you need to know in our Peugeot 2008 review.
The Peugeot 2008 is the SUV version of the 208. This means it shares its engines, mechanical platform and much of its in-car tech with Peugeot's popular small car.
That said, being an SUV, the 2008 is taller, wider and longer than the 208. Most versions measure 4.3 metres in length and 1.8 metres in width, which means the 2008 will fit in most garages.
The small SUV market is highly competitive and the Peugeot 2008 rivals some impressive machinery, which includes the Nissan Juke, Ford Puma and Renault Captur. For us, the well-equipped and sharp handling Puma is the class leader but the 2008 isn't far behind the Ford when it comes to road handling and value.
The interior of the 2008 takes a similar approach to the 3008, with lots of soft-touch materials and cutting edge tech that includes Peugeot's fancy 3D i-Cockpit system that combines a small steering wheel with a low-slung digital display, which you'll either love or loathe.
The 2008 is offered in four trim levels. Most versions are well-equipped as standard; the mid-spec Allure Premium model gets 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a reversing camera and the aforementioned digital dashboard with a 3D instrument display.
If you want the ultimate 2008 then you can get the desirable GT spec which adds a sporty body pack, 10-inch navigation and leather effect seats.
The 2008 isn't as practical as the Puma with its 'MegaBox' but you do get a 434-litre boot with an adjustable load floor. You also get a load space that measures 1800mm from the boot lip to the back of the front seats when you lower the second row.
The engine line up includes the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine and Peugeot's familiar 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel. Most buyers opt for the turbocharged petrol; it's one of the best three-cylinder engines out there, blending affordable running costs with punchy performance. You get the choice of a six-speed manual or eight-speed torque converter gearbox on most versions of the PureTech.
The 2008 is one of the best small SUVs for comfort on 17-inch wheels, with its supple suspension and plush cabin doing a pretty good job of insulating its occupants from harsh road surfaces and outside noise. However, despite its soft set-up, the 2008 is pretty good to drive with its nicely weighted steering and responsive chassis providing genuine involvement on a twisty A road.
Peugeot's small SUV isn't the cheapest option, with prices in 2022 starting close to £23,000. If you choose a GT model, with a few options, you'll easily exceed £30,000. That said, the 2008 is a likeable and upmarket small SUV that backs up its chic style with lots of substance.
We lived with a 2008 for six months - find out how we got on with it in our Peugeot 2008 long term test. Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Peugeot 2008 review.