Peugeot 2008 review
The Peugeot 2008 is fashionable and well-built, but it feels a little pricey compared to some close rivals
Our opinion on the Peugeot 2008
The Peugeot 2008 stands out in the hotly contested compact crossover and small SUV segment, thanks in no small part to extravagant styling that’s been made even bolder after a facelift. Its eye-catching looks are backed up by a well-built cabin, a decent amount of boot space, and surprisingly refined motorway manners.
Frankly, you could do much worse than the 2008 when choosing from the smorgasbord of small SUVs on offer today. However, some rivals are more fun to drive, while others are more practical. The 2008 is priced against premium competitors, which could be a further sticking point for customers seeking value. It also features Peugeot’s divisive i-Cockpit cabin design, which doesn’t suit everyone.
About the Peugeot 2008
The second generation 2008 arrived to great acclaim in 2019. In the years that followed, the 2008 became one of Peugeot’s best-selling cars, even topping the list of Europe's best-selling small SUVs in 2021, before being given a facelift in 2023 that included a new front end incorporating Peugeot's refreshed company logo and latest three-bar lighting signature.
The 2008 is based on the Stellantis group’s CMP small-car platform, which also serves as the base for the Peugeot 208 supermini, along with the Citroen C4 and Citroen C4 X, DS 3, Jeep Avenger, Vauxhall Corsa and Vauxhall Mokka.
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The 2008’s engine range consists of a 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine either with or without a hybrid system. Alternatively, there’s also the fully electric Peugeot E-2008, and we have a dedicated review for this car, too.
Peugeot 2008 prices and latest deals
The Peugeot 2008 line-up starts from around £29,500, rising to £33,000 for the hybrid. The electric E-2008, meanwhile, starts from just shy of £34,000 once the Government’s Electric Car Grant is applied.
If you're interested in getting yourself a Peugeot 2008, we can help. Configure your ideal Peugeot 2008 now to get top offers from local dealers, check out the latest Peugeot 2008 leasing deals or search for used Peugeot 2008 models with our Buy a Car service. You can even sell your existing car for a great price with Auto Express Sell my Car.
Performance & driving experience
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From the start, you’ll realise that the Peugeot 2008 isn’t the sharpest-handling small SUV. That honour still goes to the Ford Puma, which feels far more rewarding and confidence-inspiring to drive.
All versions of the 2008 are front-wheel drive, which is on par with the class. For those needing the additional traction benefits of four-wheel drive in slippery conditions, you’ll need to look towards something else, like a Toyota Yaris Cross.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| 2008 1.2 130 Allure | 131bhp | 9.2 seconds | 126mph |
| 2008 1.2 Hybrid 145 Allure | 145bhp | 8.3 seconds | 128mph |
| 2008 1.2 Hybrid 145 GT Premium | 145bhp | 8.3 seconds | 128mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
The 131bhp 1.2-litre petrol is our preferred version of the combustion-powered 2008, with an acceleration time of 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 126mph. The 1.2 hybrid with 145bhp is currently the quickest 2008 model, with a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds, and it can continue up to a top speed of 128mph.
Town driving, visibility and parking
Around town, the 2008's light steering makes it a great car for low-speed manoeuvres. We’ve noticed that petrol automatics exhibit a strange vibration through the interior if you try to reverse park while controlling your speed with the brakes.
The ride can be a little fidgety at low speeds, with the Renault Captur offering much better cushioning from potholes and speed bumps.
Country road driving and handling
At higher speeds, the 2008 has a decent level of grip to enable you to carry some momentum along a twisty B road. But hit a mid-corner bump, and it can be knocked off your chosen line because the suspension is unable to dampen the initial blow.
Body lean is much more pronounced than in a Puma or an Audi Q2, both of which provide a much more settled driving experience. The electric Peugeot E-2008, with its weighty battery pack mounted low in the car along the floor, does help to counteract the lean of the standard car, although it still isn’t the most agile of its kind to drive.
Weird gear selector shape aside, the auto is great to use, shifting smoothly once on the move. In recent times, Peugeot’s manual gearboxes have been vague and rubbery, but the unit in the 2008 is a significant improvement. It’s still not as joyous to use as the manual gearboxes we’ve used in the Puma or Mazda CX-30, but it does the job.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
Hit the motorway, and the ride settles down. Despite a little wind whistle at 70mph that comes round the door mirrors, refinement is impressive overall, with low road noise levels.
“We recommend saving money by going with the standard stick-shift. It’s not the most engaging gearbox, but we never found ourselves searching for the right gear when changing, and the long travel of the clutch pedal makes it easy to find the biting point in stop-start urban traffic.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter.
MPG & running costs
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The most efficient combustion engined Peugeot 2008 is the hybrid version, which returns up to 62.1mpg and emissions as low as 111g/km on the WLTP combined cycle. That’s followed by the manual petrol model, which officially achieves up to 52.3mpg and 133g/km, while pairing this engine with the automatic transmission drops the figures to 48.9mpg and 138g/km.
The Peugeot’s PureTech petrol engines compare well with rivals, as the mild-hybrid Ford Puma also claims up to 52.3mpg. In pure petrol form, the Hyundai Kona falls short of both of its rivals at up to 47.9mpg.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| 2008 1.2 130 Allure | 52.3mpg | 121g/km | 16 |
| 2008 1.2 Hybrid 145 Allure | 62.1mpg | 111g/km | 23 |
| 2008 1.2 Hybrid 145 GT Premium | 62.1mpg | 111g/km | 24 |
Electric range, battery life and charge time
With the demise of the 50kWh battery version, every Peugeot E-2008 comes with the larger capacity 54kWh (50.8kWh usable) battery with a maximum range of up to 247 miles.
To fully recharge using a standard 7kW AC home wallbox takes just around 7.5 hours, while a 10 to 80 per cent top up charge from a 100kW DC rapid charger takes around 30 minutes.
You can specify a faster 11kW AC charger for £360, but we’re not sure it’ll be worth it considering you’ll need a three-phase electricity supply in order to reach that charging speed, and few UK homes are equipped for that.
| Model | Battery size | Range | Insurance group |
| E-2008 115kW Allure |
54kWh (50.8kWh usable) | 248 miles | 26 |
| E-2008 115kW GT |
54kWh (50.8kWh usable) | 247 miles | 26 |
| E-2008 115kW GT Premium |
54kWh (50.8kWh usable) | 247 miles | 27 |
Insurance groups
The 2008 has slightly higher-than-average insurance group ratings compared with rivals. The least expensive Allure petrol sits in group 16 – five groups higher than the base Toyota Yaris Cross and six groups higher than the entry-level SEAT Arona.
The hybrid 2008 lands in groups 23 and 24, while the entry-level Peugeot E-2008 sits in groups 26 to 27. In contrast, a 1.0-litre 155 Ford Puma Titanium with 153bhp receives a much lower group 14 rating.
Tax
Rivals with full-hybrid power, like the Toyota Yaris Cross and Renault Captur E-Tech, offer higher fuel efficiency and produce less CO2, which means they also have the added benefit of lower Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) company car tax rates. However, fully electric cars offer the biggest company car tax savings due to their zero-emission status. In other words, business buyers will be much better off looking towards the Peugeot E-2008 instead.
Regardless of whether you purchase a combustion 2008 or electric E-2008, no version crosses the luxury car tax threshold.
Depreciation
Residual values for the petrol and hybrid versions of the second-generation Peugeot 2008 are lagging behind those of its closest rival, the Ford Puma, according to our market data. After three years and 36,000 miles of ownership, the 2008 is expected to maintain between 42 and 43 per cent of its original value, while the Puma should hold on to between 45 and 53 per cent over the same time period. Neither can quite match the Dacia Duster, which is predicted to hang on to between 57 and 51 per cent of its value.
The electric E-2008 suffers much more from depreciation than its combustion-powered brethren, at only 36 per cent after the same period. This is very disappointing compared to the Kia EV3, which should be worth between 48 and 52 per cent.
To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our free car valuation tool...
Interior, design & technology
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The latest Peugeot 2008 looks far more distinctive than the somewhat bland-looking original 2008 Mk1, with a chiselled shoulder line, blocky silhouette, and distinctive front end dominated by LED lights. A mide-life facelift has only enhanced this small SUV's appearance, making it look more like a concept car that someone accidentally let out of Peugeot's vault. It incorporates Peugeot's shield logo, plus the same three-bar lighting signature that also features on the facelifted Peugeot 208 supermini, with the vertical LEDs integrated into gloss-black inserts in the front bumper.
All versions feature a vertical grille pattern in the same colour as the car's bodywork. The 2008’s three-claw LED tail-lights have also been tweaked. There’s no denying that the 2008 is an eye-catching car, which helps it stand out in the bloated small SUV segment.
Interior and dashboard design
Inside, the 2008 interior design, although a little quirky and very gloomy in our opinion, offers superb levels of quality for the class and puts most of its rivals in the shade. Sadly, there aren’t any physical climate controls, so if you want to change the temperature or adjust the fan speed, you’ll have to delve into the central touchscreen. The piano-style keys below the screen only cover limited functions or controls that have to have a physical button by law, such as the hazard warning lights.
Other highlights include Peugeot’s i-Cockpit layout, although you’ll need an Allure and above to get it with the configurable digital dash display. The digital display is similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit in that you can change the layout from traditional dials to displaying various trip or driving assistance screens, or – as we’ve found particularly useful – show sat-nav directions on a map. Switching between screens isn’t as easy as in an Audi, and there’s no full map-view option, either.
However, some individuals might find it hard to see the dials, because Peugeot’s i-Cockpit setup also includes a small flat-bottomed steering wheel that you should look over to read the instruments rather than through it. When we tested the 2008, it took us a long time to find a natural-feeling driving position that didn’t involve having the steering wheel basically in our lap, but even then, we couldn’t see the dials fully. The setup won’t suit all, so we’d recommend trying a 2008 first before buying.
Materials and build quality
While the striking design and layout of the 2008 interior is what hits you first, once you’re settled you’ll start to notice that many of the areas you frequently come in contact with have a premium feel to them, putting some distance between this Peugeot and the rather disappointing interior of the Volkswagen T-Cross. You’ll still find some cheaper plastics used, but these are in less obvious places, such as the lower door cards and glovebox lid.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Every 2008 features a 10-inch central touchscreen display with Bluetooth, a DAB radio, plus wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity to run your own audio and navigation apps. In-built sat-nav is an option on Allure and GT trims, and standard on the GT Premium.
All versions get a screen with high-definition graphics that looks visually appealing, but the operating system is very laggy, often using swipe transitions to cover up the thinking time the car needs when you tap to enter a menu. Ultimately, it’s nowhere near as slick as the setups in rivals such as the Hyundai Kona.
The mid-range GT features a 3D version of the i-Cockpit digital driver display, which looks very modern, but it’s more of a gimmick than a genuinely useful feature. A wireless smartphone charging pad is available as part of the navigation and access pack on Allure trim, the navigation, vision, and drive assist pack on GT, or as standard on the GT Premium trim.
“The high-quality and hard-wearing interior looks as fresh as it did the day the car was delivered more than five months and 5,000 miles ago.” – Richard Ingram, Deputy editor.
Boot space & practicality
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One of the key downsides to the Peugeot 2008’s styling is that access to the rear is difficult. The sills are high, so you have to climb in over them and, to compound things, you then find the low roofline requires you to stoop in order to get in – rather annoying for anyone strapping children into car seats, for example. Buyers needing frequent access to the rear seats should consider the Hyundai Kona or Skoda Kamiq.
Front and rear parking sensors are standard on every model, while GT trim provides a reversing camera. A front and rear camera system, and blind spot monitoring to warn you of approaching vehicles along your flanks are both available as part of an optional pack, or as standard on GT Premium trim.
Dimensions and size
The Peugeot 2008 is a bit longer and taller than the top-selling Ford Puma, but the latter car has the bigger boot.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Peugeot 2008 | Ford Puma | Renault Captur |
| Length | 4,304mm | 4,186mm | 4,239mm |
| Width | 1,770mm | 1,805mm | 1,797mm |
| Height | 1,550mm | 1,536mm | 1,576mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610mm | 2,590mm | 2,640mm |
| Boot space | 434 litres | 456 litres | 422 litres |
Seats & passenger space
If you do manage to find a comfortable driving position, the 2008 has plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room, although visibility isn’t great, so you’ll be making good use of the standard front and rear parking sensors. Larger individuals may find that the small steering wheel and tiny pedals can make them feel like a gorilla behind the wheel.
Peugeot hasn’t forgotten basic practicalities, though. There’s still a good level of storage, with cubbies, trays and bins dotted around to hold gadgets and various other items. We particularly like the covered smartphone tray because you can close the lid on your phone to stop you from getting distracted by notifications.
The 2008 doesn’t offer as much room in the back as a Kona or a Kamiq. While it does boast a surprising amount of headroom, legroom isn’t as generous, so it’s not great for ferrying around adults. It’s a shame the 2008 doesn’t feature a sliding rear bench like you get in the Captur, because that would allow rear passengers the option of greater legroom at the expense of some boot space. There’s also a large hump in the floor that eats up rear passenger foot space, so the 2008 is better suited for carrying four people, rather than five.
The 2008 comes as standard with two sets of Isofix mounting points – both located on the outer positions of the rear seats.
Boot space
The Peugeot 2008 offers 434 litres of boot space, which is decent, but beaten by the Hyundai Kona, which offers 466 litres. Folding the rear seats in the 2008 gives you a total of 1,467 litres of boot space to play with. With its 456-litre boot, the Ford Puma also trumps the 2008 and includes a hidden storage compartment called the ‘Megabox’.
The Captur has 12 litres less than the 2008, but as we mentioned, its sliding rear bench seat allows owners to prioritise either boot space or passenger room. Utilise this function by sliding the bench all the way forward, and there are 536 litres on offer, which puts the 2008 at a distinct disadvantage.
On a more positive note, all versions come with a variable-height boot floor, which reduces the liftover height and removes the awkward step when the rear seats are folded down.
Towing
All PureTech petrol-powered 2008s have a maximum braked trailer weight of 1,200kg, which should be enough to tow a small caravan. The additional weight of the battery, electric motor, and six-speed dual-clutch gearbox of the Hybrid version reduces this version's towing capacity to 1,100kg.
Like many smaller electric vehicles, Peugeot does not quote towing weights for the E-2008. However, the electric Volvo EX30 is rated to tow, and can handle up to 1000kg in single motor standard range form, or up to 1,600kg with the extended range battery.
“While I no longer have to cart around a bulky buggy or travel cot when we go away, there’s still plenty my daughter wants to pack in – including a small bike (now with pedals), plus plenty of books, Barbies and cuddly bunnies. The 2008 is, honestly, a bit small for a family of three; you can see why so many people gravitate to larger models for daily duties.” – Richard Ingram, Deputy editor.
Reliability & safety
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The 2008 didn’t appear on the most recent Driver Power best cars to own list, but Peugeot has steadily improved its reputation in the best manufacturer rankings. The French brand ranked seventh among 31 manufacturers in the latest survey, behind Renault (sixth) and Vauxhall (second).
Euro NCAP tested the overall safety of the second-generation 2008 in 2019 and awarded it a four-star rating for cars without the safety plus pack, and the full five stars when equipped with it. However, because the test has become tougher, both ratings have since expired.
The more advanced autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that can spot cars, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, such as cyclists at night, is standard across the range for cars sold in the UK.
Other standard safety kit includes driver attention alert, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, along with front and rear parking sensors. You’ll need to add the optional blind spot and drive assist pack to a petrol manual 2008 in Allure trim in order to get adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, and front and rear cameras. That’s a shame because some of those features are standard on rivals like the Volkswagen T-Cross, or Toyota Yaris Cross.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Four stars (2019, expired) |
| Adult occupant protection | 91% |
| Child occupant protection | 84% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 62% |
| Safety assist | 68% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Peugeot 2008 1.2 PureTech Allure
While the hybrid version gets the best fuel economy, we think the regular petrol model offers the best value for money. It’s also quick enough for most needs and still compares well with its rivals in terms of running costs. The entry-level Allure trim also comes with all the equipment you’ll need without needing to fork out for the pricier models.
Peugeot 2008 alternatives
The Peugeot 2008 will appeal to those looking for a smart-looking and premium-feeling small SUV that is well-equipped and has a reasonably wide range of engine options. The use of hybrid tech also helps to provide a fuel-efficient car to challenge the likes of the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, and Toyota Yaris Cross.
The quirky i-Cockpit interior layout of the 2008 won’t suit everyone, and it’s quite small in the back, which might lead parents towards the more versatile Renault Captur. The 2008 isn’t particularly fun to drive, either, so those coming at this from a regular supermini may want to look at the sharper-handling Ford Puma instead. Those looking for value will be better off with the Dacia Duster, while the Skoda Kamiq is a great all-rounder.
Those considering making the switch to an electric car will be interested in the Peugeot E-2008. However, this car also has its fair share of competitors in the shape of cars like the Volvo EX30, Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica, Ford Puma Gen-E and Jeep Avenger.
Peugeot 2008 history
Peugeot 2008 Mk2: 2019-present
The second-generation Peugeot 2008 Mk2 built upon the foundations of its predecessor: practicality and interior build quality were improved, and the looks were more striking this time around. Like the Mk1 model, the Peugeot 2008 Mk2 had close ties to the Peugeot 208, so the two cars featured similar interior tech and features. The powertrain options were similar, too, consisting of petrol and diesel engines (the latter disappeared in 2022 due to poor sales) and – for the first time in a Peugeot 2008 – a pure-electric option.
Peugeot 2008 Mk1: 2013-2019
The Peugeot 2008 Mk1 went on sale in 2013 and was billed as the higher-riding equivalent of the Peugeot 208. While the two cars share many parts, the 2008 Mk1 is bigger and more spacious than the 208, and comes with more equipment as standard. Engine options consist of various petrol and diesel engines, and all Peugeot 2008 Mk1s are front-wheel drive. Read our full Mk1 Peugeot 2008 buyer’s guide here…
Frequently Asked Questions
The Peugeot 2008 has an eye-catching look, a fine interior and decent amount of tech onboard for the money, plus its PureTech petrol engine is pretty frugal. It’s not quite as roomy in the rear seats as the spacious Skoda Kamiq, however, nor is it very fun to drive.
Deals on the 2008 and alternatives
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