PARTY LIKE IT'S 2008(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 96

Peugeot's second generation 2008 is a small SUV that offers an arguably more sophisticated take on the kind of little urban Crossover-style design popularised by cars like Nissan's Juke. Supermini-based, it offers all the advantages of that compact runabout you were thinking of, together with the kind of added space, style and light off road driveability you probably never expected to be able to enjoy on a small car budget. This revised version of the MK2 model gets a smarter look and a new full-Hybrid engine option. There's a bigger battery for the all-electric version too.

Background word count: 160

Fashion can take many forms, especially when it comes to segments in the automotive market. Here, we're going to look at one of them, the supermini-based compact SUV Crossover, epitomised in this case by this improved version of Peugeot's second generation 2008. Its chosen sector may be fashion-led but here's a car that still emphasises sense and sensibility in what has become an ever-more competitive class. This MK2 model first arrived in 2019, was Europe's best selling B-segment SUV in 2021 and has sold 700,000 units since launch, helped by the success of the E-2008 full-electric variant, which in 2022 accounted for 17.4% of sales. The key changes with this updated 2008 model range include a visual overhaul, a new Hybrid engine option and the option of a larger battery for the EV version. Will it all be enough to allow this contender to retain its place as one of the more popular picks in this sector? Let's find out.

Driving Experience word count: 294

Despite its beefy looks, the 2008 is still front-wheel drive only. Engine-wise, there are three very different powertrains to choose from. If you know the Peugeot brand, you might not be too surprised to hear that the available petrol unit is the usual 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech powerplant, in this case developing either 100 or 130hp with a choice of 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. There's a stronger dose of combustion-based electrification further up the range with the introduction of a full-Hybrid version, the Hybrid 136 e-DSC6, which combines PureTech petrol power with an electric motor to produce a total output of 136bhp and features a battery that's able to recharge at low speeds around town. Peugeot reckons that this powertrain can operate more than 50% of the time in electric mode in urban conditions. This powerplant replaces the previous 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel unit. As for the all-electric e-2008 version, well that now gets a larger 54kWh battery good for 252 miles, this power source driving an electric motor boosted in power by 18% to 153bhp. The old 50kWh electric powertrain's still available too, with a 136hp motor and a 214 mile range. As before, as you'd expect in a modern supermini-based small SUV, you can get all the usual driver assistance features. Things like lane keep assist to stop you from drifting out of your lane, with subtle steering intervention to ease you back to where you ought to be. And an autonomous parking system which is capable of automatically controlling acceleration, braking and steering when entering or leaving a parking space. There's also a traffic sign recognition system that can work with the integrated speed limiter and make sure that you never exceed the stated limit of the road you're on.