Peugeot 2008 review

Fortune favours the brave, and setting your sights high is never a bad thing – just imagine if NASA had decided that going to the Moon was too much of a lofty goal. That’s why we like that the Peugeot 2008 has high ambitions.

How so? Well, for decades Peugeot has been duking it out with the so-called mainstream brands (and is still doing so today), but the upper end of the 2008's engine and trim range gives this small SUV a price tag that strays into the territory of the more premium Audi Q2 and Lexus LBX.

Peugeot 2008 video review

Does it justify setting its sights on posher rivals? That's a question we'll be answering in this review. We'll also tell you how we rate the 2008 against its rivals, ranging from the Ford Puma and Renault Captur to the Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Roc.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the petrol-powered Peugeot 2008. Or if you're interested in the fully electric version see our Peugeot e-2008 review.

What’s new?

- May 2026 - We drive the entry-level 2008 (PureTech 100) for the first time
- June 2025 - New GT Premium trim introduced as range-topper with Alcantara interior, heated front seats and an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat
- March 2024 - Order books open for mild-hybrid 2008, which pairs a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a small battery and motor to reduce CO2 by up to 26g/km

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The Peugeot 2008 engine line-up starts with a 99bhp 1.2-litre turbo petrol, badged PureTech 100. Acceleration is strong enough in most scenarios and choosing it keeps the price down, so we suggest sticking with it. 

We can see why you’d be tempted by the 129bhp 1.2-litre PureTech 130, though. It’s noticeably quicker and it comes with an automatic gearbox (instead of the entry-level car’s six-speed manual ‘box). 

Then there’s the Hybrid 145, which is essentially a mild hybrid version of the PureTech 130. It feels similarly punchy but is more focused on increasing fuel economy and reducing emissions. More on that in the costs section.

The 2008's relatively soft suspension means it wafts along A-roads and motorways very smoothly. In fact, apart from a bit of bounce over larger undulations, it’s comfortable on a long drive.

At slower speeds and around town, the news isn’t quite as good. The 2008 can struggle with larger surface imperfections, and if you hit a pothole you can sometimes feel a shockwave ripple through the car. 

Don’t get us wrong, it's not outright uncomfortable, but if you do most of your driving in town, you'll be more comfortable in a Skoda Kamiq or VW T-Roc.

There’s a downside to 2008’s soft suspension: there’s some body lean in the bends, and the 2008 never feels as sharp, agile or planted as the Audi Q2 or Ford Puma. Sure, the 2008 never feels uncontrollably sloppy either, but it’s ultimately an underwhelming car to thread through a set of corners. 

What’s more, because of how tiny the steering wheel is, small inputs deliver comparatively big responses. It takes some getting used to and ultimately robs you of some confidence. The Q2 and Puma have more communicative, naturally weighted steering, furthering their position as more confidence-inspiring, engaging handlers. 

On the plus side, when you’re pottering around in urban environments, that quick steering and tight turning circle are useful, and the 2008 is an easy car to park.

With smooth, hushed engines and very little in the way of tyre roar, the 2008 is a pleasingly relaxing car to drive compared with many small SUVs. Only a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds blights an otherwise glowing report.

As we touched on earlier, the PureTech 100 comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, and the 130 and Hybrid 145 get automatic gearboxes. The manual isn’t as slick as the one in the Puma, Kamiq or T-Roc but it's not unpleasant to use. However, the automatic isn't smooth at all – especially in slow-moving traffic.

“The jerkiness you get with the automatic gearbox can be a pain, but for me it's made worse by the abrupt nature of the 2008's engine stop-start system.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Like most small SUVs, the Peugeot 2008 isn’t that much taller than a hatchback. However, the seats are mounted quite high up in the car, meaning it does feel more SUV-like than its small car sibling, the Peugeot 208. What’s more, you sit higher up from the road than you do in the rival Skoda Kamiq.

There’s plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat, although it's a shame adjustable lumbar support is available only as part of a costly package. It’s annoying, too, that the air-con controls are touchscreen-only. Physical buttons or knobs, like the Audi Q2 and Lexus LBX have, are less distracting to use while driving.

Peugeot’s i-Cockpit lay-out forces you to look over – rather than through – an unusually small steering wheel to see the driver's display. Although the driver's display is set higher than it is on most cars to make that easier, some drivers will need to jack up the seat unnaturally high or live with a restricted view of the instruments.

If you’re buying a manual 2008, it’s worth making sure you can use the clutch pedal without hitting your knee against the steering wheel, too.

The 2008’s high driving position helps to give you a decent view of the road ahead, although the chunky windscreen pillars can get in the way at junctions. Likewise, over-the-shoulder visibility isn't great.

Mercifully, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard across the range. Allure trim has bright Eco LED headlights, while GT and GT Premium trims get full LED headlights.

Every version of the 2008 gets a 10.0in infotainment touchscreen set into the dashboard, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. There’s a touch-sensitive home button that’s useful for reverting to a page where you can store your own shortcuts.

Allure and GT trims lack a standard-fit sat-nav, but we don’t see it as a big issue: we'd instead suggest linking up your phone using smartphone mirroring and running a navigation app.

The infotainment system is reasonably easy to use and pretty responsive. So while some rival small SUVs (including the Audi Q2, Lexus LBX and VW T-Roc) have better systems, the 2008’s is pretty good.

The 2008’s interior really looks the part, holding its own with premium-badged rivals. It outclasses the T-Roc and gives the Q2 a run for its money. Indeed, the LBX is the only small SUV that's noticeably classier inside.

Is it all style and no substance? No – the swish looks are backed up by plush-feeling materials and (mostly) good build quality. The dashboard surfaces are pleasantly squishy and it’s only on the doors that you’ll find some cheaper-feeling plastic.

"Peugeot's infotainment system is fine but – as with most cars – I went straight to using smartphone mirroring instead.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Even tall people won't feel cramped in the front of the Peugeot 2008. There's plenty of head and leg room along with enough interior width to prevent you feeling too close to your front passenger.

There’s also a decent amount of storage space, including good-sized door pockets, a deep cubbyhole between the seats, a couple of cupholders and a tray at the bottom of the dashboard. Above that, you'll find a hidden compartment that clicks open to reveal an ideal spot to stow your phone.

Getting in and out of the back isn't as easy as it is in some rivals because of the 2008's fairly narrow door openings. Once inside you’ll find enough leg room (although the palatial Skoda Kamiq has even more) but head room is limited by the sloping roofline, and that gets worse if you add the optional sunroof.

The middle rear seat is softly cushioned, but the 2008 is narrower in the rear than some rivals, so it's not the best small SUV for carrying three adults in the back. Storage space includes a couple of small door bins, along with map pockets on the backs of the front seats.

There’s nothing particularly clever to point out here – the 2008’s rear seatbacks split and fold in a 60/40 configuration. There’s no option of a more practical 40/20/40 set-up (like there is with the Skoda Karoq), a ski hatch (which you get in the VW T-Roc) or a sliding rear bench (a feature of the VW T-Cross).

With the 2008's rear seats up, boot space is average for the class. There’s enough for a small holiday, but the Renault Captur, Kamiq and T-Cross offer more room. You can, though, drop the rear seats for a trip to the tip.

Every trim gets a height-adjustable boot floor, allowing you to divide the boot into two compartments, and reduce the lip at the entrance when you don't need maximum boot capacity.

“I'm 5ft 11in tall, and when I sat in the 2008's rear seats having set the driver's seat up for someone of my size, I had just enough leg room and a good amount of space to get my feet under the seat in front.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

The Peugeot 2008 costs around £24,000 in its entry-level form, which is a reasonable price for a small SUV. You’ll find the Skoda Kamiq and VW T-Cross cost around the same. It’s easy to push the price closer to £30,000, though, putting higher end 2008s in competition with the likes of the Audi Q2 and VW T-Roc.

Disappointingly, the 2008 loses value faster than many rivals, so it's likely to cost you more in the long run than the Q2, Puma, Captur or Kamiq.

In our Real MPG tests, the 1.2 PureTech 130 averaged 47.3mpg – roughly the official figure. We’ve yet to conduct the same test on the Hybrid 145 but its 57.6mpg official average suggests it’ll do even better for fuel economy – although you'll have to drive many, many miles to see the fuel saving pay off. For even better fuel economy, consider the Lexus LBX.

Officially, our pick of the engine range (the PureTech 100) averages 49.5mpg, but again, we’re yet to test how it fairs in real world conditions. 

There isn’t a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the 2008, but if you’re a company car driver, you’ll want to check out the fully electric Peugeot e-2008. It’ll be much cheaper than any other 2008 for benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax.

There are three trims to choose from with the Peugeot 2008: Allure, GT and GT Premium.  

Allure gets automatic air-con, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control and privacy glass. Meanwhile, GT adds more creature comforts, including keyless entry and interior ambient lighting. 

Range-topping GT Premium gets a front parking camera, 18in alloy wheels, heated, electrically adjustable front seats (with a massage function for the driver’s seat) and a wireless phone charger. It’s tempting but we’d stick with Allure because it keeps the price as reasonable as possible. 

If you’re going to spend GT Premium money, we’d say you’re better off buying an Audi Q2, Lexus LBX or Volkswagen T-Roc – or perhaps a larger alternative, such as the Skoda Karoq.

In our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Peugeot 2008 ranked eighth out of 38 cars in the small SUV class. That’s a good result; it slots in between the VW Taigo and Vauxhall Mokka.

As a brand, Peugeot placed 11th out of 30 manufacturers featured. Again, that’s a good result; it’s sandwiched by Citroën and Dacia. 

For peace of mind, every 2008 comes with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty as standard. Kia’s standard warranty is a lot longer, though.

Safety experts at Euro NCAP awarded the 2008 five out of five stars back in 2019. It’s worth noting that the now-discontinued, entry-level Active trim received only four stars because of its less advanced automatic emergency braking (AEB) system. No version of the 2008 is as good as the VW T-Roc for chest protection and whiplash protection for adults sitting in the rear.

Lane-keeping assistance is fitted across the range but blind-spot monitoring is, disappointingly, optional on Allure and GT trims. Isofix child-seat mounts on the two outer rear seats are standard on every trim.

“Peugeot simplified the 2008's trim line-up in 2023, which was welcome. But I think it's a pity that the price jumps between the three that remain are so significant.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

Buy it if…

- You want a reasonably priced small SUV that feels fairly premium inside

- You like a punchy petrol engine

- You’re looking for good reliability

Don’t buy it if…

- You want sharp handling

- You’re averse to an unusual driving position

- You want the most practical small SUV available

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