Peugeot 2008 Review 2023

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.

The Ford Puma is arguably the best small SUV for practicality but the Peugeot 2008 isn't far behind; its 434-litre boot is large enough for a pair of bulky suitcases or a big weekly shop. 

Four adults will squeeze inside the 2008 but don't expect many compliments from your rear passengers, with legroom being on the snug side. Things are more manageable with small children, but tall teenagers may find the 2008 to be a bit cramped on a long journey.

On the plus side, the seats in the 2008 are supportive and comfortable. Mid-spec models in Allure Premium trim get leather effect seat materials and height adjustment for the driver's seat but you’ll need to pay extra for lumbar adjustment or choose the 2008 in the pricey GT spec. 

The fit and finish of the 2008s cabin is first class. Everything feels solid and upmarket. There are no worrying creaks from the trim when you drive over rough road surfaces or perform a tight turn, either. 

All versions of the 2008 get a soft-touch leather steering wheel that has button controls for the DAB radio. You also get smart carbon effect panels on the doors and black piano-style keys under the touchscreen for key in-car controls.

There are some hard plastics on the lower parts of the dashboard and door trims but the quality of the 2008’s cabin is superior to anything you’ll find in its small SUV rivals from Ford, Renault and Nissan.

All versions of the 2008 are fitted with a colour touchscreen that includes DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Depending on which model you choose, you’ll either get a 7-inch or 10-inch system. 

Active Premium and Allure Premium get the basic 7-inch touchscreen system that has a narrow but bright display that makes it easy enough to use on the move. Navigation isn’t included but you can mirror your phone’s display and use its maps by plugging your device in via a USB cable. 

GT models get Peugeot's flagship 10-inch HD infotainment system that’s easier to use and features a high-quality HD display. A digital 3D instrument binnacle is also standard on GT trim, which lets you customise the driver’s display to focus on performance, fuel economy or route directions. 

The Peugeot 2008 is offered in four trim levels - Active Premium, Allure Premium, GT and GT Premium. The 1.2 PureTech petrol is the cheapest engine and prices for the 2008 Active Premium start at £22,735 while the higher-spec Allure Premium is priced from £24,335 with the same engine.

The GT version of the 2008 gets a black roof and a sporty look with a rear spoiler. Prices for the GT start from £27,885 while the range-topping GT Premium will set you back at least £30,685.

The turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech petrol is the most popular engine in the 2008 line-up and advertised fuel costs are affordable with the 100PS and 130PS versions returning up to 52.6mpg.

Claimed fuel economy drops when you add the EAT8 eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox (48.3mpg) and the 155PS version is the least efficient with Peugeot claiming 46.6mpg.

The 1.5 BlueHDI diesel is the best engine for fuel economy on paper with the four-cylinder turbodiesel returning up to 65.7mpg. But you don't get the option of the EAT8 auto, which means the diesel is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox only. 

By small SUV standards, the Peugeot 2008 handles itself very well. The steering's nicely weighted and there's lots of front end grip, which means you get a rewarding, planted feel on the road. flick the driving mode into 'sport' will firm up the handling further, which means the 2008 drives very similar to the 208 hatch. 

The ride quality can become a little lively on GT models, with its 18-inch wheels producing a fair amount of body travel over pot holes and speed humps. Things are much better on 17-inch wheels.

We rate the Toyota C-HR and Volkswagen T-Roc as the best small SUVs for comfort but the 2008 on 17s does a pretty good job of suppressing rough road surfaces and potholes.

However, while the 2008 automatic is comfortable and composed on the motorway. the EAT8 gearbox can be somewhat cumbersome at low speeds which can make the throttle pedal feel a little overly sensitive when parking or crawling along in traffic. The harsh stop-start system can also make the car a little difficult to drive at low speeds, as experienced during our long term test of the 2008.

The Peugeot 2008 is offered with petrol, diesel or electric power. We have covered the electric version in our in-depth e-2008 review. 

Most buyers chose their 2008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine. In our opinion, the 1.2 PureTech is one of the best turbocharged three-cylinder engines around; it's a perfect match for the weight and size of the 2008.

The 1.2 PureTech is offered with 100PS, 130PS or 155PS. Unless you have a real need for speed, we'd suggest sticking with 130PS version which produces 230Nm of torque from 1750rpm and strikes the best balance between performance and fuel economy.

If you cover lots of motorway miles the four-cylinder 1.5 BlueHDI diesel will probably be the best engine choice. It is limited to a six-speed manual gearbox only but produces 110PS and 250Nm of torque from 1750rpm. The 1.5 diesel is also the cheapest on paper for economy with Peugeot claiming up to 65.7mpg. 

The Peugeot 2008 received a four star safety rating when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2019. This included a 91 per cent score for occupant safety and 84 per cent for onboard child safety.

The Euro NCAP crash safety score increases to a maximum five stars if you fit the optional safety equipment, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane guidance assist.

Most versions of the 2008 weigh in the region of 1700kg and the braked towing capacity for both the petrol and diesel models is rated at 1200kg, with a maximum tow ball weight of 61kg.

The Peugeot 2008 is offered in four trim levels. Standard equipment on the Peugeot 2008 Active Premium model includes 16-inch alloy wheels, electric and heated door mirrors, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, leather steering wheel, 7-inch touchscreen with DAB audio, automatic air conditioning and 3.5-inch digital instrument display. 

Allure Premium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, leather effect seat trims, higher centre console with two cup holders, central armrest and storage box, electric parking brake, 3D i-cockpit instrument display, dark tinted rear windows, 180-degree rear parking camera and automatic active safety braking with passenger recognition. 

GT builds on the 2008 spec with upgraded LED headlights, 3-claw LED daytime running lights, including dark chrome chequered front grille, chrome exhaust pipes, black roof and rear spoiler, smartphone charging plate, 10-inch touchscreen, blind spot monitoring, front heated seats and front parking sensors.

GT Premium is the highest 2008 spec and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless push button start and go, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, lane guidance assist and Alcantara seat materials.