PARTY LIKE IT'S 2008 (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_peugeot2008_2024

By Jonathan Crouch

Peugeot's 2008 is now an even more sophisticated small SUV. Jonathan Crouch drives the revised version.

Ten Second Reviewword 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.

Backgroundword 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 Experienceword count: 300

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 100hp (with a 6-speed manual gearbox) or 130hp (with 8-speed automatic transmission). There's a stronger dose of combustion-based electrification further up the range with the full-Hybrid version, the auto-only Hybrid 145 e-DSC6, which combines PureTech petrol power with an electric motor to produce a total output of 145bhp 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. As for the all-electric E-2008 version, well that gets a 54kWh battery with a range quoted at 247-271 miles, this power source driving an electric motor putting out 156hp. As usual with an electric vehicle, all of the available torque is pretty much developed at once (there's 260Nm of it) and this car simply hurls itself away from rest: it takes just a couple of seconds to crest the 30mph mark and 62mph is reached in 9.1s. Disguising the fact that (also like all EVs) this Zero Emissions variant has a bit of a weight problem - that drivetrain adds over 300kgs of bulk. You'll really like the impressive refinement evident even in combustion-engined versions of this Peugeot, which will make you feel more comfortable about the prospect of potentially attempting a long highway trip in one. And for that kind of journey, you might also possibly be interested in the limited 'Level 2'-style driving autonomy that it's possible to build into plusher versions of this car.

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