Peugeot 2008 review

The 128bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol is expected to be the best-seller. It’s a good’un too, accelerating keenly (0-62mph takes 8.9secs in the manual, 9.1secs in the auto) and cruising politely. 

It’s pleasant enough around town, too, although the ride does feel slightly on the firm side, especially on the plump 17 and 18in alloys – potholes are especially jarring while speed bumps are best approached at walking pace. As ever, if you can resist the larger alloys you’ll have a nicer time for it.

What’s the handling like?

The payoff of that firm-edged ride is reasonably sharp handling, and the 2008 certainly makes its case as the sportiest small crossover thing in the Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Vauxhall empire. Whether buyers will care (or even notice) that it’s amenable to being thrown around is another thing, of course. 

More relevant is how hushed it is on a motorway cruise and just how flipping good the eight-speed automatic is. A bit of us dies inside saying it, but it’s a better choice than the manual. We’ll hand our petrolhead card in at the door.

If you want the 2008 with its 1.2-litre 3cyl engine in its top state of tune (a heady 153 horses are on offer) you’ll need to splurge on the GT Premium-spec model. But compared to the 128bhp variant, it feels a little frivolous. We reckon the sweet spot is slightly lower down the range.

How does the electric variant compare?

Much like the e-208, it lacks the holy-heck-what-just-happened? acceleration (0-62mph takes 8.5secs) even the weediest of EVs offer at urban speeds, instead smoothly delivering its power to never upset grip at the front axle.

A Drive Mode toggle switches between Eco (80bhp), Normal (108bhp) and Sport (the full 134bhp) and allows you to best balance performance and battery range, and while some EVs don’t ride especially well, stiffened up to counter their extra weight over internal combustion, the e-2008 doesn’t suffer too badly. Click these blue words to head over to our full review.