Peugeot 2008 ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

Crossovers are big business right now. So far this year 151,000 units have found homes in the UK alone. Building on the success of the larger 3008, Peugeot is the latest manufacturer to join the smaller B Segment crossover market. The 2008 promises the same core features of its bigger brother such as rugged looks, a practical interior and low running costs but in a more compact package. When we attended the UK Media Launch a few months back we really liked the new car but what is it like to live with day-to-day? We got our hands on a 1.6-litre 92 bhp 2008 in plush Feline trim to find out.

One thing is for sure, the 2008's interior is perfectly suited to family life. Its larger dimensions over the 208 mean that seating four stocky adults comfortably is easy with plenty of leg and headroom. The boot is a useful size and shape easily accommodating a couple of buggies and the seats fold completely flat without an annoying step in the floor.

The cabin is a bright and airy place to be thanks in part to the Cielo panoramic glass roof and light seat fabrics. The design is lifted straight from the 208 so looks and feels upmarket with the same small wheel, raised dials layout that we get on well with. The only real differences are some rather odd trim finishes and a stubby, naff handbrake lever. 

If you like your toys then the Feline trim of our car is the one to go for. 17 inch alloys, touchscreen satellite navigation, automatic dual zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, USB and Bluetooth stereo input and cruise control are all included. Oddly our car came with what Peugeot calls "Panama premium trim" which doesn't feel half as nice as leather - a no cost option on Feline models. Park assist was also fitted to our car which at £300 isn't to be sniffed at.

On the road it's evident that Peugeot has placed the emphasis on comfort rather than sportiness which will appeal to most potential 2008 buyers. It rides very softly which is ideal around town so when cornering there is plenty of bodyroll but the chassis feels nicely grippy and light on its toes. External noises are nicely subdued and the engine is very refined.

All that gets in the way of a truly great driving experience is the vague steering, stodgy gear change and a clutch pedal with too much travel that sits much higher than the others. The 2008 is far from bad though.

Despite its modest 92 bhp output the 1.6-litre diesel engine is a perky performer despite taking an unimpressive 12.8 seconds to hit 60 mph. Thanks to 169 lb ft of torque from 1,750 rpm it's easy to exploit what is on offer. Keeping up with the flow of traffic is easy and the units eagerness to rev and smooth power delivery hold plenty of appeal. 

It's worth noting however that a 115 bhp variant of the same engine offers the same economy, falls into the same VED band but offers 199 lb ft of torque. Crucially it also comes with a far superior 6-speed gearbox that has a much nicer shift action than the sloppy 5-speeder fitted to our test car.

If you are looking for a car with low running costs this particular model will hit the spot. You can expect economy in the mid-to-high 60s and with emissions of 103 g/km it sits nicely in VED band B - that's just £20 per year to you and I.

Finally the 2008 has a sharp set of clothes. Photos only tell half the story as in the metal it's easy to appreciate the chunky stance and modern detailing which all comes together very well indeed. The claw-like rear lights and stepped roofline are particular highlights along with the edgy front lights and slatted grill that are set to be rolled out across the Peugeot range.

Tech Data

Price as tested: £19,440 (£18,645 excl options)
Engine: 1.6 8v 92 bhp - 0-62mph: 12.8 secs - Maximum Speed: 113 mph -
Economy: 60.1 mpg (urban) 78.5 mpg (extra-urban), 70.6 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 103 g/km (Band B) - VED (12 months): £20
Dimensions: Length: 4159 mm - Width: 1829 mm - Height: 1556 mm - Wheelbase: 2538 mm
*data from Peugeot UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

The Peugeot 2008 is entering a saturated market heaving with similar sized models from a whole range of manufacturers all fighting for the limelight.

It doesn't really bring anything new to the segment but its strongest assets are its comfort, refinement, excellent economy and spacious cabin. It's also a very attractive design inside and out.

It may not be exciting to drive but for many it will strike the perfect balance appealing to small families looking for hassle-free transport.

We would however recommend trying the higher powered diesel variant as it's just as cheap to run but comes with a vastly better gearbox.

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