Peugeot 2008 review

Quick verdict

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.

Peugeot 2008: price, specs and rivals 

The Peugeot 2008 is the French firm’s supermini-sized SUV, the second-generation of which 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 crossovers 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 Citroën C4 and Citroën C4 X, DS 3, Jeep Avenger, Vauxhall Corsa and Vauxhall Mokka. 

Pricing starts at over £24,000, which is a little more than rivals like the Renault Captur, Kia Stonic, Nissan Juke, SEAT Arona, Skoda Kamiq, Volkswagen T-Cross and a good deal more than even a top-of-the-range Dacia Duster. The 2008 does manage to undercut the best-selling Ford Puma, Hyundai Kona, Toyota Yaris Cross, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30, as well as its Avenger and Mokka sister cars. 

The 2008’s engine range isn’t as extensive as some of its rivals, as buyers have a choice of either a 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine or the pure-electric E-2008. Thankfully we like the petrol engine in the 2008 and it will cover most needs. It can be had with either 99bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox or a more powerful 128bhp unit paired with either a manual, or an eight-speed automatic. Meanwhile the electric Peugeot E-2008 offers an official range of 250 miles, and a smoother, quieter, and brisker driving experience than any of the petrol-powered models. That’s all well and good, but the E-2008 costs over £12,000 more to buy.

Both petrol and all-electric models are available across the three trim levels: Active, Allure, and GT. All models have a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, DAB radio, rear parking sensors, climate control, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Step up to Allure for larger 17-inch rims, front parking sensors, i-Cockpit digital instrument cluster, a handy height adjustable boot floor, and extra USB charging sockets. Top-of-the-range GT trim adds a wireless phone charging pad, keyless entry and go, full LED headlights, a reversing camera, and ambient interior lighting.

Used and nearly new

The Peugeot 2008’s timeline starts in 2013, around a year after the Peugeot 208 supermini it’s closely related to first went on sale. Across both generations of Peugeot 2008, the car has offered a blend of sharp styling, agile handling and a comfortable ride. The Peugeot 2008 Mk2 saw the small SUV move further upmarket than its predecessor, which, while giving the car a more premium feel, also made it a pricier buy.

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…

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The Peugeot 2008 still offers the choice of manual and automatic gearboxes, and a few different engine options, from a surprisingly tractable 128bhp 1.2 petrol, to a mild-hybrid with a short electric range, and two versions of all-electric with respectable performance. No version of 2008 is as sharp to drive as the Ford Puma, nor does it ride as comfortably as the Renault Captur. Read more about the Peugeot 2008's engines, performance and drive…

Petrol and hybrid versions of 2008 offer good fuel economy and emissions, while the electric E-2008 has a competitive EV range and relatively fast charging speeds compared with its rivals. Hybrid and electric models will appeal most to company car drivers looking to reduce their tax bills. Insurance will likely be pricier than other small SUVs, and the electric E-2008 depreciates heavily. Read more about the Peugeot 2008's MPG, emissions and running costs…

The 2008 has a distinctive look both outside and inside, plus the interior has a premium feel that raises it above most small SUVs. It’s a shame that the most frequently used functions are all controlled through the central touchscreen, which makes it trickier to adjust things on the move compared with the physical controls found in the Volkswagen T-Cross. Still, the screen in all versions of 2008 is sizeable and comes with full wireless smartphone connectivity. Read more about the Peugeot 2008's interior, design and technology…

The 2008 has plenty of space up front and a number of useful spots to store smaller items. The i-Cockpit layout might not suit all sizes of driver, so try before you buy. It isn’t that spacious in the back for adults, and a small door opening might be restrictive for parents putting children in car seats. Boot space is decent, but a Hyundai Kona offers more space, and the Ford Puma has its handy Megabox for additional underfloor storage. Read more about the Peugeot 2008's boot space, comfort, and practicality…

Peugeot as a brand has been scoring well in the most recent Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, with the 2008 beating key rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Mokka in the overall scores. It is a shame that the entry-level version misses out on the more advanced autonomous emergency braking system the Allure and GT trims get, contributing to the 2008 missing out on receiving the maximum star rating from safety experts Euro NCAP. Read more about the Peugeot 2008s reliability and safety…

Should you buy a Peugeot 2008?

The Peugeot 2008 will appeal to a smart-looking and premium-feeling small SUV that is well equipped and has a wide range of petrol engines. The addition of a mild-hybrid version helps provide a more fuel-efficient choice for those who can no longer buy a diesel, and the all-electric models will suit company car drivers hoping to keep their tax bills low. The electric version also has a respectable electric range and relatively rapid charging speeds.

However, 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 spacious Hyundai Kona. It also isn’t particularly fun to drive, so those coming at this from a regular supermini may want to look at the sharper-handling Ford Puma instead.