Peugeot 2008 review

Like most small SUVs, the Peugeot 2008 isn’t that much taller than a regular hatchback. However, the seats are mounted quite high up in the car, so you do get a genuine SUV experience; you certainly sit farther from the road than you do in a Skoda Kamiq.

There’s plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat, but it's a shame that adjustable lumbar support is available only as part of a pricey package. It’s annoying, too, that the air conditioning controls are only accessible via the central touchscreen (as is the case with all current Peugeots). Physical buttons and knobs, like those in most rivals, would be less distracting to use on the move.

Peugeot’s iCockpit layout forces you to look over – rather than through – an unusually small steering wheel, in order to see the instruments. Although the dials are set higher than usual to make this easier, some drivers will still need to jack the seat up unnaturally high or live with a restricted view of the instruments. 

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

Mercifully, rear parking sensors are standard across the range, as are bright LED headlights to help you see where you're going at night. Go for Allure trim or above and you'll get a reversing camera, while GT and GT Premium models add front parking sensors as well.

The cheaper trims get a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with shortcut buttons on both sides of the screen. A larger, 10.0in touchscreen comes as standard on GT and GT Premium trims, with the shortcut buttons repositioned lower down on the dashboard. This system can be added to the cheaper trims but is pretty pricey.

Both systems are a bit slow to respond to prods and generally fiddlier to operate than the more intuitive systems you'll find in the Kamiq, T-Roc and Q2. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are at least standard, so you can bypass Peugeot's software and use your phone's software and navigation apps instead. 

Go for entry-level Active Premium trim and you'll get one USB socket in the front, but all other models get two sockets in the front and another two in the back. Meanwhile, wireless phone charging is standard from GT trim.

The 2008’s interior looks fantastic, and those swish looks are backed up by plush-feeling materials and (mostly) good build quality.

Believe it or not, it even gives the Audi Q2 a run for its money and is much classier inside than a T-Roc. The dashboard surfaces are pleasantly squishy to touch, and it’s only really on the doors that you’ll find cheaper-feeling plastics.