Skip advert
Advertisement

New Peugeot 2008 Allure 2016 review

We drive the new Peugeot 2008 SUV in mid-spec Allure trim; does it make a better buy?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Peugeot 2008
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The update to the 2008 may be largely cosmetic, but the new look is successful and only adds to a car that was already competitive in this sector. A Renault Captur might be marginally more stylish, but the Peugeot is streets ahead in terms of interior quality and class. This PureTech 110 petrol in Allure trim is the sweet spot between equipment, performance, efficiency and value, too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It seems not even Peugeot foresaw the success of the 2008 in the UK. Bosses expected to sell around 1,500 units annually when the crossover launched in 2013; but instead the firm shifted over 11,000. It’s since been one of the most popular cars in its range, second only to the 208 supermini on which it’s based.

But the French mini-SUV is sitting in an extremely competitive segment, and rivals like the Nissan Juke are trumping it for outright sales. With the larger Peugeot 3008 around the corner, too, it was in danger of looking a bit old, so the brand has just spruced it up inside and out.

The most notable changes are at the front. The badge has moved from the bonnet to sit in the new, larger grille, and you’ll find tweaked headlamps and bumpers, too. At the back there’s a set of revised LED lights, while down the side Peugeot has issued some fresh alloy wheel designs.

Subtle changes then, but just enough to lift the 2008 above its rather bland predecessor. It’s still not as distinctive as a Citroen C4 Cactus, or as svelte as a Mazda CX-3, but you’re unlikely to turn your nose up at it in the car park.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Corsa Electric

2020 Vauxhall

Corsa Electric

20,695 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £10,200
View Corsa Electric
2008

2022 Peugeot

2008

24,814 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £13,700
View 2008
Sportage

2023 Kia

Sportage

23,658 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £27,400
View Sportage
Golf

2019 Volkswagen

Golf

30,277 milesAutomaticDiesel1.6L

Cash £13,850
View Golf

Best crossovers

Inside, Peugeot has elected to make only minor changes to the materials, lighting and equipment levels. That’s fine, however, as it already had one of the best cabins in its class. Quality remains good for a car of this price, while the textured dash, perforated leather door handles and smart dials add a touch of class. Two areas of concern carry over unchanged, however: The tiny wheel and raised dials won’t be to all tastes, and the seven-inch touchscreen remains pretty clunky and heavily reliant on buried sub-menus.

Our Allure spec test car sits in the middle of the range. It does without the sporty red stitching and exterior detailing of new top-spec GT-Line trim, but benefits from most of the kit you’d expect on a small family car. Standard equipment includes a DAB radio with Apple CarPlay (new to the 2008), dual-zone climate control, cruise control and parking sensors. Sat-nav is a reasonable £460 option, but to be honest, some buyers may be better off using their phone’s in-built maps and projecting them through the car’s touchscreen.

• Best 4x4s and SUVs

There’s no change to space inside, so rear seat passengers get reasonable head and legroom, storage is good and the 350-litre boot is competitive. Beware, though, that the optional panoramic glass roof eats into head space for tall passengers in the rear.

The changes to the 2008 don’t extend to the driving experience, however. The engines and suspension all remain the same, meaning you get a composed but not exciting drive, a notchy, long-throw gearshift, and direct but feel-free steering. Body control is decent for a small crossover, and the ride is comfortable at speed – although the standard 17-inch wheels on Allure trim cars can pick up potholes around town. Again, a Mazda CX-3 is a more incisive steer, but it’s a more expensive car.

New Peugeot 2008 GTi to head range of hot SUVs

The 2008 also gets a Grip Control system with five modes from sand to snow, allowing some all-terrain ability. It’s falls some way short of a proper four-wheel drive system, though. 

The Puretech 110 petrol engine is a highlight. It’s not the most refined, but it has a strong mid-range and lots of flexibility. It’s also just as efficient on paper as the much slower PureTech 82. Spending the extra for the Puretech 130 might get you a sixth gear, but it only really feels faster at the top of the rev range. As a result, it’s our pick if you’re not interested in the diesel.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,406 off RRP*Used from £10,195
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,837 off RRP*Used from £12,700
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,788 off RRP*Used from £11,795
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,343 off RRP*Used from £9,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval
Skoda Elroq - front cornering

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval

Despite some models costing over the £37,000 threshold, Skoda has secured the government grant on its mid-size electric SUVs
News
2 Sep 2025
New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition
Fiat Grande Panda La Prima - front cornering

New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition

The newly crowned Auto Express Supermini of the Year is available in hybrid or pure-electric form, with the EV offering 199 miles of range
News
1 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month
Volvo XC40 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month

Swedish company’s popular compact SUV is still effortlessly cool, and great value with our Deal of the Day for 31 August
News
31 Aug 2025