By Jonathan Crouch
Introduction
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. Launched in 2019, this MK2 design got a new platform, a fresh look and a completely redesigned interior, all of it targeting what the brand hoped would be a younger buyer. There was an all-electric e-2008 version too. Here, we look at the 2019-2023-era pre-facelift versions of this MK2 model.
History
Back in 2019, the market's fastest growing segment was for cars like this - trendy, fashion-led little SUVs. And this one, at first glance, looked particularly appealing, Peugeot's second generation 2008. There's a chance you might already be familiar with this model line since it's been around since 2013. The original 2008 wasn't the cohesive piece of product design we got in MK2 form; instead it was more of a 'supermini-on-stilts', launched to test a market that had originated in modern form with the Nissan Juke three years earlier. The donor small supermini in question was then - and was with this MK2 model - Peugeot's 208 and that first 2008 sold well for its French maker - though more because of segment growth than product excellence.
It gave the brand's designers though, some thinking space to consider what this class of customer really ought to have: something quite ground-breaking as it turned out when this second generation design was launched in late 2019 - the option of an all-electric powertrain. It wasn't obligatory to have it. This car's new CMP platform (shared with Stellantis class stablemates the Vauxhall Mokka and the DS 3 Crossback) was flexible enough to allow for all kinds of engines, including various non-electrified ones - an old school BlueHDi diesel: and the Puretech three cylinder petrol units that most 2008 customers chose from new.
These conventional engines aren't very different from those used in the previous generation model - but carry-overs otherwise end right there, as you'll discover after sampling this second generation model's very different 3D i-Cockpit cabin. There's also a completely different level of safety provision and media connectivity to what was available before. More of what you want then - and less perhaps of what you don't, hence this MK2 model's slightly lower level of potential rough road competence. It's a long way from being the most affordable contender in this segment. But it lays a strong claim to being one of the most thoroughly engineered. The MK2 2008 sold in its original form until mid-2023, when it was significantly facelifted. It's the pre-facelift version though, that we look at here.
What You Get
This second generation 2008 has what its predecessor lacked; a real sense of stylistic identity. Here, Designer Gilles Vidal evolved the shape of his second generation 208 supermini into that of a bold, robust and confident SUV. If you want this car, it'll be because you think it really stands out. And you'll be right. As with the 208, the front end is probably the most immediately arresting part of the design, with distinctive LED corner 'fangs' that flow up into the three-claw LED headlight signature. Look further up and you'll note the pared-back windscreen that makes the carved bonnet more horizontal.
At the rear, the avant garde theme continues, with exact design and tautly-drawn shaping. The 3D tail lamps again feature that 3-claw signature and are linked by a black band running the width of the boot lid, emphasising this second generation 2008 model's extra width. From the side, an owner of the previous model might particularly notice the increase in size here. At 4.3m long, this second generation design is a significant 15cms lengthier than its predecessor, which makes this supermini-derived Peugeot longer than a Volkswagen Golf. There's also plenty in this muscular profile to catch the eye, with a high beltline, various repeating triangular lines and lots of intricate surfacing that must have made the panel pressing a real technical feat.
At the wheel, it certainly has a very futuristic feel - and one of very high perceived quality, thanks to the two-tier fascia layout, with its smart carbon-trimmed concave inner section that curls around the edge of the cabin and on into the doors. Predictably, you sit a fraction higher than you would in a 208 (not always a given in the design of small SUVs these days) and as with the original 2008 model, this cabin champions Peugeot's unique so-called 'i-Cockpit' format, where you view the instrument binnacle over the upper rim of a tiny steering wheel rather than conventionally through the wheel spokes. Here though, the concept's been further developed with the addition of a 3D instrument binnacle display on plusher variants. This sees critical information like speed and navigational instructions projected in hologram form from the inner roof of the binnacle on to a piece of slanted Perspex in the foreground. Other secondary stuff features on a screen set further back and a button on the left of the steering wheel allows you to differently format the whole set-up according to preference.
More media technology sits to your left in the form of the usual centre-dash touchscreen, which at the base of the range is 7.0-inches in size for 2008 buyers but in plusher models is offered in a larger 10-inch form. Either way, the monitor includes plenty of functions - too many in fact because you have to use this display to operate all the climate functions, which means switching out of whatever you're looking at every time you want to change temperature or fan speed. At least the seven stylised piano-style keys below this monitor look rather nice, positioned in front of a row of touch-sensitive short-cut buttons just behind. The seats are reasonably comfortable, there's not much wrong with the ergonomics, there's a reasonable amount of cabin storage space and there are plenty of media connectivity points.
What else? Well rear passenger space is much better than in a 208 but still slightly compromised by the need to place the e-2008 model's powertrain's battery pack beneath that back seat. Still, even with a six-foot tall driver up-front, someone of similar height could sit behind comfortably. The need to incorporate an EV drive layout doesn't compromise boot space, which is 434-litres in capacity just like any other 2008 and extendable to 1,467-litres with the back seat folded.
What to Look For
Most 2008 buyers we came across seemed satisfied. But inevitably there were a few issues. We've heard of issues with the electric power steering system caused by a malfunctioning steering rack or pump. And there have been reports of excessive tyre wear on versions with 17-inch alloy wheels. You also need to thoroughly check the infotainment system, which has been known to develop issues, freezing or crashing without warning. This can be caused by software glitches, which require the set-up to be updated or reset. You might also find the central screen has slow response times, which can be due to an overloaded processor or insufficient memory.
A few owners reported issues with the sound quality from the speakers, caused by problems with speaker wiring. We've heard problems with the air conditioning system not cooling properly during hot weather conditions. This can be due to a faulty compressor, a refrigerant leak or a blocked condenser. Some owners have also reported problems with the central locking system malfunctioning. Otherwise, it's just the usual things; check the interior for child scrapes - and the wheels and rear bumpers for parking scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
Obviously, on an e-2008 you'll need to check the charging system. If the car won't charge, it could be a problem with your home electrics (or those at the public charge point you're using). Check the charge light to make sure that electricity really is going through the charge port. And make sure there really is charge in the socket you're using to power from - plug something else into it to see - say, your 'phone. If that charges OK, it could be that your charging cable is demanding too much power, so try another power source. Another problem could be that the circuit may have tripped due to a circuit overload. Or perhaps there could be a problem with the charge cable: this needs to be cared for properly. Repeatedly driving over it (as previous owners may conceivably have done) will damage it eventually. Make sure you do a charge-up before signing for the car you're looking at. When you do this, make sure that when you plug in to start the charge cycle you hear the charge port and the cable locking and engaging as they should; that's all part of the charger basically confirming with the car's onboard computer that everything's good to go before releasing power. But if the charging cable fails to lock as it should, then that won't happen. If there is a failure to lock, the issue could be actuator failure, caused by a blown fuse.
Replacement Parts
(approx based on a 2020 e-2008 1.2 excl. VAT) Front brake pads vary in price between £16-£31 for a set; rear pads are around £46. For front brake discs, think around £33-£100 for a pair. A door mirror glass is about £18; a door mirror indicator about £22.
On the Road
There's lots of interest here, whether you choose a combustion-engined version of this Peugeot or the all-electric e-2008 derivative. Immediately taking your attention will be the unusual 'i-Cockpit' dash set-up that Peugeot's been challenging convention with for some time now. This requires the curious need to view the instrument dials above the rim of the tiny steering wheel, rather than through the wheel spokes. Once you've adapted to this, more adjustment is needed to get yourself familiar with the clever 3D digital instrument cluster that all but entry-level 2008 models feature, which is meant to improve your reaction times but initially will probably have the opposite effect. Once all of this has become familiar and the miles begin to flick by, there are a few other things you'll notice. The slightly higher, more commanding driving position (not always a given with a small SUV these days). And, on a low-spec or mid-range model, the relatively supple, fluid ride quality - though that becomes more brittle if you've a top variant riding on larger 18-inch rims.
At this point, you're probably going to want to know a bit more about your various powertrain choices, petrol, diesel or electric, which Peugeot wanted you to select between in the same way you'd choose a trim level. Most will want the 1.2-litre PureTech turbo petrol variant, specifically probably the PureTech 100 derivative, offered only with 6-speed manual transmission and capable of up to 52.0mpg on the combined cycle and up to 125g/km of CO2. If you want auto transmission, an 'EAT8' 8-speed unit, you'll need to choose this engine in one of its more powerful 130 or 155hp guises. There's also a BlueHDi 100 diesel derivative too. The all-electric e-2008 variant mates a 100kW electric motor putting out 136bhp with a 50kWh lithium-ion battery that when fully charged is capable of giving the e-2008 a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 206 miles. Recharging takes 7.5 hours from a 7kW garage wallbox.
Overall
This second generation 2008 certainly makes a more overt style statement than before, with a design-led appeal that offers something refreshingly different in the class. If you're the kind of person who appreciates that sort of thing, then nothing else in this segment will satisfy you in quite the same way.
As with most models of this kind, on paper, the advantages being offered over a standard supermini in space, styling and potential driving flexibility appear at first glance to be small. In practice though, they add up to a car that feels a far more rounded, more complete family tool. Not everyone likes the unusual 'i-Cockpit' steering wheel and instrument set-up but we think though, that this car needs design innovations of this sort. Models of this kind ought to be fashionable, innovative and just a little controversial. If that's what you want in this segment, then you probably need to try this car.
