Peugeot 2008 - Practicality, comfort and boot space

One of the key downsides to the 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 further, 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.

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. It’s worthwhile stepping up to mid-range Allure trim because this version has more USB charging ports to keep mobile phones and tablets topped up.

Find a comfortable driving position, and you’ll discover the 2008 has plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room. The higher driving position than the Kamiq helps you to see over things better, but the chunky windscreen and roof pillars make it harder to spot obstacles when parking. Rear parking sensors are standard, although you’ll need mid-range Allure to get front parking sensors, and GT trim for a reversing camera. A 360-degree camera system is available as an option, as is blind spot monitoring to warn you of approaching vehicles along your flanks.

Size

The 2008 is 4,300mm in length, 1,770mm wide and 1,550mm in height, making it slightly longer than the Ford Puma (4,207mm), but not quite so wide. The Renault Captur sits between the two at 4,227mm in length.

Leg room, head room and passenger space

The 2008 doesn’t offer as much room in the back as a Kona or a Kamiq, and could prove to be tight on rear leg and headroom for an adult. It’s a shame the 2008 doesn’t offer the neat sliding rear bench of the Captur, because that would allow rear passengers the option of greater leg room at the expense of some boot space.

Two Isofix points are provided on the outer rear positions.

Boot

With 434 litres of boot space, the 2008 offers decent load capacity, but is beaten by the Kona, which offers 466 litres of room. The Captur has 12 litres less than the 2008, but features a sliding rear bench seat to maximise 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.

Go for a mid-range Allure model to get a variable height boot floor to reduce the liftover height and remove the awkward step when the rear seats are folded down.

Towing

All petrol 2008 versions have a maximum braked trailer weight of 1,200kg which should be enough to tow a small caravan. Like many smaller electric vehicles, Peugeot does not quote towing weights for the e-2008.