Peugeot 2008 review

As with the 208, the 2008 has an unusually small steering wheel that you look over (instead of through) to see the instruments. Unfortunately, if you're less than six feet tall, you may well find the top of the wheel blocks your view of the speedo.

At least getting comfortable isn’t too much of a problem. There’s a nice, wide range of manual adjustment on both the steering wheel and driver’s seat, and driver seat height adjustment is standard across the range. Reaching the dashboard controls doesn’t require stretching too far, either, but there isn’t even the option of lumbar support.

Long journeys shouldn’t be too tiresome in models with the manual gearbox, because drivers will find the 2008’s pedals line up nicely with their seat, so you aren’t forced to sit at an awkward angle for hours on end.

Drivers won’t have trouble with the view ahead because all models have nice, deep windscreens and thin front pillars with little to obstruct a decent line of sight. The front side windows are deep, too, helping at junctions and roundabouts.

Over-the-shoulder visibility isn’t quite as good. The 2008’s rear screen is small, while its rear pillars are thick, so it has bigger blind spots than when looking forward.

Front parking sensors aren’t available on any 2008, even as an option. Rear sensors come as standard from Allure trim upwards and are optional on Active cars, but aren’t available on entry-level Access A/C trim at all. GT Line gets a reversing camera as well as audible parking sensors.

The touchscreen infotainment system – standard on all but the entry-level trim –disappoints, because it's fiddly to use on the move and there are no shortcut buttons to help you negotiate its menus.

The screen itself has reasonably modern graphics, but it’s unresponsive; you’ll often find yourself stabbing at buttons a couple of times, only to then hit something you didn’t want. Dragging menu bars up and down requires patience, too.

Entry-level cars get two speakers, FM radio, USB input, Bluetooth, steering-column mounted audio controls. The rest get the 7.0in colour touchscreen, DAB radio, and Apple CarPlay and Mirrorlink on top of that. Sat-nav is an option on all models apart from top-spec GT Line, which is a shame since you get it as standard even on lower and more affordable trims in the Renault Captur.

Peugeot has done a good job making everything you see and touch in its cabin look and feel high quality. In this sense, it is better than rivals such as the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Citroen C4 Cactus.

Much of the dashboard and door cards are covered in pleasant, soft-touch plastics, while the chrome accents look and feel convincing, even if they aren’t actually metal. Meanwhile, the 2008’s switchgear is slick and well damped.

The farther down the dash and doors you go, the cheaper the plastics feel, but everything you interact with is of a good standard and, importantly, everything feels well screwed together.