Used Peugeot 2008 2019-present review

The Peugeot 2008 may be a small SUV, but it clearly doesn't want to leave a small impression. You can have the final say in whether it looks good, but there's undoubtedly a certain sharpness to its overall design – something perhaps lacking in the first-gen Peugeot 2008 2013-2019 model.

Does this sharpness continue under the bonnet? Well, there's certainly a good group of engine options to choose from. If you go for the petrol-powered variety, you can have a 99bhp, 129bhp or 153bhp 1.2-litre unit. For those preferring a diesel, you have the choice of a 99bhp and 108bhp 1.5-litre unit. Electric power is an option too, but you’ll have to spring for the Peugeot e-2008 for that.

All engines feel satisfyingly punchy throughout the rev range, with 0-60mph times of less than 12sec whichever power output you go for. That said, the 153bhp petrol doesn’t feel too much quicker than the 129bhp, so it’s not worth the upgrade in our eyes.

In terms of trim levels, the entry-level one is Active. This gets you a DAB digital radio, rear parking sensors, cruise control and other kit. Step up to Active Premium, and you'll also get climate control, automatic front windscreen wipers and push-button start.

We believe your starting point should be Allure, though, because 2008s in this trim come with smarter seats (over Active Premium), 17in alloy wheels, privacy glass and a more advanced emergency braking system. Allure Premium adds some extras, including a 3D effect for the digital instruments and a cornering function for the front foglights.

GT and GT Premium top the range, and will be the most well-equipped models on the used market. GT comes with a 10in touchscreen, wireless phone-charging, heated front seats and blind-spot monitoring, while GT Premium gets adaptive cruise control and keyless entry.

On the road, the 2008 isn’t particularly entertaining, though it inspires enough confidence in the corners. It’s very well-suited to urban environments because it has a relatively tight turning circle, as well as quick steering. Its ride is comfortable yet not quite class leading, though, as the soft suspension doesn’t soak up larger road imperfections particularly well.

Dive into its interior and you'll find its swish looks are backed up by plush-feeling materials, plus (mostly) good build quality. There’s also plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat, but it's a shame adjustable lumbar support isn’t available on all models.

The cheaper 2008 trims get a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with shortcut buttons on both sides of the screen. The larger 10.0in touchscreen comes as standard on GT and GT Premium trims, with shortcut buttons lower down the dashboard. Both systems are a bit slow to respond to prods and generally fiddlier to operate than the more intuitive systems. Fortunately you get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring on all cars.

Front passenger space is good, while rear passenger space is about average for the class. The boot size doesn’t quite stack up to super-spacious rivals such as the Volkswagen T-Roc but there’s still a praiseworthy amount of storage on offer – enough for a family’s small holiday.

To find a used Peugeot 2008 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

While 2019 models are scarce, 2020 cars aren’t. These 2008s, which are likely to be low-mileage, 99bhp petrol Allure examples, start at around £16,000. At the moment, 2021 cars start at around £1000 more than that. For a 2022 or 2023 model, have upwards of £18,000 to spend.

Higher trims, of course, attract higher prices. The most expensive used models – GT Premium cars – go for around £23,000.

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MPG

All engines are claimed to achieve more than 45mpg. The most fuel-efficient options are the 108bhp 1.5-litre diesel – it can average 65.7mpg – and its lesser powered counterpart. The least efficient engine is the 153bhp 1.2-litre petrol, which averages 46.6mpg.

Road tax

Owners of petrol and diesel 2008s will have to pay £180 a year under current VED regulations.

Servicing and insurance

Insurance groups are generally low, meaning the Peugeot 2008 should be cheap to insure. In terms of servicing, a year-old diesel 2008 with low mileage should cost around £651 with a fixed-price plan. That’ll get you three services over three years, and the total price can be paid at £21.99 a month for 24 months.

Our engine of choice is the 128bhp 1.2-litre petrol. The noticeable increase in power gives it a compelling edge over the 99bhp version, making it worth the upgrade. The 153bhp option is not a big enough step up to warrant what is a hefty price hike. Only go for the 1.5-litre diesel if you’re planning to do a lot of motorway miles.

The trim we recommend is Allure because you get a good amount of niceties – including better seats, bigger wheels and improved safety kit – over the rather basic Active and Active Premium trims. Allure Premium is there if you’d like more extras but don’t want to go all the way and pay for GT or GT Premium, which are too pricey to recommend at the moment.

Our favourite Peugeot 2008: 1.2 PureTech 130 Allure

The small SUV class is a competitive one, so the 2008 isn’t without its rivals. The Volkswagen T-Roc is a sensible alternative with better practicality and a slightly better drive than the 2008. That said, the T-Roc doesn't have as much style and flair in terms of the exterior and interior.

If you’re looking for an entertaining drive with nippy yet fuel-efficient engines, the Ford Puma is a great choice. So much so, in fact, that we named it our What Car? Car of the Year for 2020. Examples should also be slightly more affordable than 2008s, too.

Finally, if you’d prefer something a little more premium, consider the Audi Q2. It’ll be more expensive to buy compared with equivalent 2008 specs, but is available with more powerful engines, plus it gets a smarter interior. That said, the 2008 isn’t too far off the Q2’s level of interior quality.

To find a used Peugeot 2008 or any of the other small SUVs mentioned here, visit our Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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