Peugeot 2008 review

Of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrols, we’d swerve the 99bhp variant and jump straight into the 128bhp version. Largely because it’s a good’un, accelerating keenly (0-62mph takes 8.9 seconds in the manual, 9.1s in the auto) and cruising politely.

It’s pleasant enough around town, too, although the ride does feel slightly on the firm side, especially on the plump 17 and 18in alloys: potholes are especially jarring while speed bumps are best approached at walking pace. As ever, if you can resist the larger alloys you’ll have a nicer time for it.

What’s the handling like?

The payoff of that firm-edged ride is reasonably sharp handling, and the 2008 certainly makes its case as the sportiest small crossover thing in the Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Vauxhall empire. Whether buyers will care (or even notice) that it’s amenable to being thrown around is another thing, of course. 

More relevant is how hushed it is on a motorway cruise and just how flipping good the eight-speed automatic is. A bit of us dies inside saying it, but it’s a better choice than the manual. We’ll hand our petrolhead card in at the door.

Drive modes include Eco, Normal, Sport, Sand, Mud and Snow. As ever, you’ll likely just leave it in default Normal and forget all about them. Against an official claimed range of between 43.1-52.6mpg (spec dependent), we actually managed towards the upper figure, averaging around the 52mpg mark. Not bad.

What about the hybrid?

As a reminder, it gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox incorporating a 28bhp electric motor and a 0.9kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing for a small amount of electric only running at low speeds and offering extra torque at low revs (0-62mph takes 8.3s) as well as improved efficiency.

There’s no plugging in involved here, so don’t go expecting to make your whole journey on electric only power, but it will allow you to get through any traffic jams with the engine switched off, while the added torque from the electric motor does smooth out the stop/start procedure and help minimise any turbo lag.

Vauxhall also claims up to 56mpg (we saw 42mpg) and a reduction in CO2 of up to 26g/km compared to the 1.2-litre 128bhp engine (111g/km plays 137g/km), which allows for, in theory, fewer visits to the petrol station, plus a reduced rate of Vehicle Excise Duty and a lower rate of BiK tax for company car drivers. Win-win.

How does the electric variant compare?

Much like the e-208, it lacks the holy-heck-what-just-happened acceleration (0-62mph takes 8.5s) even the weediest of EVs offer at urban speeds, instead smoothly delivering its power to never upset grip at the front axle.

A Drive Mode toggle switches between Eco (80bhp), Normal (108bhp) and Sport (the full 134bhp) and allows you to best balance performance and battery range. And while some EVs don’t ride especially well - stiffened up to counter their extra weight over internal combustion - the e-2008 doesn’t suffer too badly. Click these blue words to head over to our full review.