Peugeot 2008 review: The small SUV with big ambitions?

Join us as we take a closer look at the Peugeot 2008, the stylish small SUV promising a premium feel without the premium price

We all long for a car we’re proud of, and the Peugeot 2008 is built to be exactly that. But very few of us want to (or are able to) overstretch to get one.

That’s where the 2008 really comes into its own.

The second generation arrived in 2019, became one of Peugeot’s best sellers and even topped Europe’s small SUV sales charts in 2021.

Then in 2023, a facelift brought the new shield logo and three-claw lighting signature, making it better looking than ever.

It shares its underpinnings with the Peugeot 208, so think of it as the 208’s taller, more grown-up sibling. It’s a natural step up as life gets busier and the family starts to grow.

The cabin feels a class above, with family-focused touches throughout. And Peugeot’s i-Cockpit gives it a driver-focused feel that makes sure it’s still your car, not just the family taxi.

But is all that enough when more and more rivals are offering extra space for less money?

We took it for a spin to find out.

What we drove

• Model: Peugeot 2008 GT Hybrid 145 e-DCS6
• Body style: SUV
• Power: Mild hybrid (145 PS)
• Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 8.3 seconds 
• Colour: Okenite White
• Euro NCAP: Four stars

Designer looks for the daily grind

The 2023 facelift brought the new shield logo, the three-claw lighting signature front and rear, and vertical LEDs set into gloss-black bumper inserts. The result? The Peugeot 2008 is an undeniably good-looking car.

Sharp creases and a wide grille give it a muscular stance that makes it look more expensive than it is.

Even the “2008” lettering across the bonnet is a nod to the classic Peugeot 504.

But its compact footprint keeps it easy to live with, especially on tighter roads and in busy supermarket car parks.

The doors also wrap under the sills, so you won’t pick up road grime on your trousers getting in and out. A small detail, but a very welcome one when little legs are climbing in and out every day.

Overall, it looks like a car you’d be proud to see on your driveway, without the premium price tag to match.

A cabin that punches above its price point

Step inside and the Peugeot 2008 continues to impress.

A 10-inch HD touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto takes centre stage on the dash.

Underneath sit piano-style shortcut keys, which take you straight to key functions like AC and turning on the hazards. No digging through menus for simple controls you need.

On GT and GT Premium trims, the digital driver’s display is 3D. Information appears layered, almost hologram-like, and it truly makes the cabin feel futuristic.

Soft-touch materials sit where your hands naturally land, with harder plastics lower down where you’re unlikely to notice them.

The i-Cockpit itself is a bit Marmite. It feels snug and very driver-focused, but this driver just couldn’t get comfortable, no matter how much she adjusted things.

Our GT had manual seat adjustment, with electric adjustment and lumbar support reserved for GT Premium.

The small, low steering wheel can also cut across some of the information on the driver’s display. It’s well worth trying the driving position before you commit.

Front space is pretty good, but rear legroom is on the tight side, making three across the back a bit of a squeeze.

ISOFIX points sit on the outer rear seats, with zipped covers that keep things tidy when they’re not in use.  Plus, on higher trims, the front passenger seat gets ISOFIX too.

That’s family-focused practicality at its finest.

Round the back, the boot offers 434 litres with the seats up, or 1,467 litres with them folded. That’s more than enough for the weekly food shop, a folded buggy or weekend bags.

An under-floor storage flap keeps smaller bits hidden, and the luggage cover tucks under the floor when you don’t need it.

Sadly, the tailgate is manual. But from Envy trim upwards, a two-position boot floor creates a flatter load area for when you need maximum practicality.

Smooth operator, not a thrill-seeker

Put your foot down and the Peugeot 2008 is a smooth operator.

The six-speed dual-clutch automatic changes gear seamlessly, so there’s no jerkiness here.

It’s not the most powerful car in its class. 145 PS and 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds is plenty for everyday driving, but it won’t pin you to your seat like some rivals (or most EVs) will.

It does pick up speed very easily on downhill stretches, so it’s worth keeping an extra eye on the speedometer.

Light steering makes it simple to guide through town and into tight parking spaces, while the mild hybrid system quietly assists the engine and can run on electric power at low speeds.

Out on the motorway it settles nicely, with low road noise and just a slight wind whistle from the mirrors.

The suspension isn’t its strongest suit though. Sharp potholes send a thud through the cabin, even at low speeds.

Thick windscreen pillars also create some blind spots at junctions, though front and rear parking sensors come as standard.

There’s some body lean on twisty roads too. This is a comfortable runabout rather than a corner-carver, so if you’re after the latter (plus a bit more fun), the Ford Puma is one to consider.

Hybrid help, no plug required

The Peugeot 2008 we drove is a mild hybrid, which means no plugging in. The car charges itself and gives your efficiency a helping hand.

Official fuel economy comes in at up to 62.4mpg, with CO2 emissions from 111g/km.

In the real world, testing from the likes of Parkers and Top Gear puts it at around 42-57mpg depending on speed and traffic. That’s still pretty good going.

According to Peugeot, it can also spend up to 50% of town driving on electric power, which is exactly where stop-start school runs and commutes happen. That all helps keep fuel bills down.

For company car drivers, the hybrid sits at 28% Benefit in Kind (BiK) for 2026/27, a little lower than the petrol versions. If you’re after the lowest BiK possible though, the fully electric E-2008 is the one to consider.

If the hybrid isn’t for you, the 2008 also comes as:

• 1.2-litre Turbo 100 manual
• Petrol 130 automatic
• Fully electric E-2008, with up to 247 miles of range (WLTP Comb)

Safety and warranties

Euro NCAP awarded the Peugeot 2008 four stars as standard, and five stars with the optional Safety Pack, when it was tested in 2019. Both ratings have since expired as testing has become tougher, but the original scores were:

• Adult occupant: 91%
• Child occupant: 84%
• Vulnerable road users: 62%
• Safety assist: 68%

Standard safety kit is generous, including:

• Autonomous emergency braking that can spot pedestrians and cyclists (even at night)
• Lane-keeping assist
• Driver attention alert
• Traffic sign recognition
• Front and rear parking sensors

Peugeot Connect SOS also comes as standard, automatically alerting the emergency services if the airbags are deployed. Blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are standard on GT Premium, and optional on other trims.

When it comes to warranty, the 2008 comes with two years of unlimited-mileage manufacturer cover, plus an additional year from the Peugeot retailer network. That’s three years in total, which matches the industry standard, though it trails rivals like MG and Toyota.

The good news? Three years covers a typical lease term, so you’re protected for the time the car’s on your drive.

Peugeot Assistance breakdown cover is included too, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Owners seem happy as well, with the 2008 placing 7th overall in the 2026 Driver Power survey.

What’s good and what’s not

The good bits

1. 3D digital driver’s display looks futuristic
2. Premium-feeling cabin for the money
3. Up to 62.4mpg with no charging needed
4. Zipped ISOFIX covers keep things tidy
5. Front passenger ISOFIX point on higher specs

The not-so-good bits

1. Tight rear legroom
2. Not the most powerful in its class
3. Manual tailgate
4. Low-speed ride can be fidgety over potholes
5. Thick pillars create blind spots

What’s the verdict?

Overall rating: 7/10

Style is the Peugeot 2008’s trump card. It looks and feels like a car from the class above.

The cabin is genuinely impressive, and the tight rear legroom isn’t a dealbreaker when the passengers in the back have little legs.

It’s smooth, easy and efficient for daily life, without any of the charging faff that can put people off going electric.

The catch? That Marmite i-Cockpit driving position. It won’t suit everyone, so it’s worth getting comfortable before you sign on the dotted line.

But for young families, or anyone who wants a premium-feeling small SUV without the premium price tag, the 2008 makes a very convincing case.

Five reasons to consider the Peugeot 2008

1. Head-turning design that looks more expensive than it is
2. Up to 62.4mpg with no charging required
3. Smooth, easy and refined to drive every day
4. Family-friendly touches, from zipped ISOFIX covers to a 434-litre boot
5. A three-year warranty that covers a typical lease term

Would we recommend leasing a Peugeot 2008?

Yes, especially if you want a stylish small SUV that feels premium without stretching your monthly budget.

Leasing means you can enjoy the latest version of the 2008 now, then simply swap into whatever’s next when your term ends. And with depreciation not your concern, you don’t need to worry about how much it’s worth a few years down the line.

The three-year warranty covers a typical lease term too, so you’re covered for the whole time it’s yours.

Just make sure you try the i-Cockpit first.

Get comfortable behind that little steering wheel, and you’ve got a stylish, efficient and family-friendly small SUV that’s very easy to live with.