Peugeot 2008 New SUV promises a lot with styling and builds quality, but does the high price list keep returning?Verdict
Peugeot 2008 Tick Many boxes. It's Great for the drive, a variety of machines (electrically included) are fantastic, and the cab design and build is a leading class. However, it is a relatively expensive option alongside traditional competitors, and the strongest rivalries offer most of the same qualities for less. Renault Captur felt almost as fancy and just as good for the drive for less money. Since this was the main rival of the year 2008, it was an in for the Peugeot.There is now a confusing amount of options offered in the supermini car-sized SUV market. UK buyers have no less than 20 small SUVs to choose from, with a selection of nearly every mainstream badge now available. Peugeot was one of the first to jump on the bandwagon with the early 2008 arrivals at 2013. And in the face of the new rivalry so much it was brought out all-new, using an all-new recipe to boot.
Utmost underneath it is a new platform called CMP, which means petrol, Diesel and Full-Electric versions of 2008 are all offered – most rivals only stick with the power of gasoline alone.
If It's not that quite unique, the typical styling of newcomers may remain in what becomes a conventional class as well. New Peugeot properties such as the three red slash inset to the black rear panel are present, whereas the metal to the side is broken with sharp folds along the door.
Fancy Tech front driver made the interface infotainment system all the more disappointing. Graphically It's not bad, but it seems that essential functions are buried inside the sub-menu, sitting NAV is a bit confusing, and simple actions such as changing the temperature are harder than they need.
It's quite widespread inside, though. The legroom is quite reasonable – of course a step above the Peugeot supermini offer, the 208 – while the 434-litre boot is above average for the class.
For the class so packed, very few competitors offer something unique from behind the wheel. The exceptions are few and far between, but 2008 is one of them. The Citroen C3 Aircross is more convenient in motion, and the Ford Puma is more enjoyable, but the Peugeot delivers a pretty good balance between the two. The Chassis felt alive, but the damping was nicely sorted, and the noise from the big bumps impressed was muted from within the cab.
Peugeot assumes that the most popular machine in the range will be Puretech 130 gasoline, and it will choose us as well. This well-known, smooth 1.2-litre turbocharged unit with 128bhp with excellent performance, repairs and an impressive economy in the same size. The Six-Speed Manual Gearbox is not too bad either, but the process of shifting is spoiled somewhat by the strange rectangular-shaped buttons of the gears, and as the shifting action of other PSA products is not very pleasing.
It's well equipped, though. 2008 comes in a choice of four trim levels, with a basic active model offering 16-inch Alloy Wheels, seven-Inch Touchscreen, air conditioning, LED daylight running light and rear parking sensors as standard. The Allure + adds 17-inch wheels, automatic air Con, front/rear parking sensors and black roof bars; Upgrading to satellite navigation is a £650 option. The GT Line is pushed here jumping an inch in the wheel size, and also adding reversing the camera, navigation and heated front seats. The Top End Model, only the GT naming added several safety technology drivers and panoramic roofs, over a robust standard of equipment found in the Allure and GT lines.
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