Peugeot 2008 Shoot-Up (Part 1)

Peugeot has left it late to launch a baby SUV, but does its 2008 have the winning formula? We test the new car against two class trailblazers

Compact crossovers are all the rage, but it’s taken Peugeot a while to join the party. Only now has the all-new 2008 arrived in the UK. It’s based on the capable 208 super mini, gets fashionable SUV-inspired looks and promises to blend family hatch cabin space with MPV versatility. Prices start at $19,492, and we test the $28,492 top-spec Feline model, which has a punchy 115bhp 1.6-litre diesel and low 105g/km emissions.

Squaring up to the 2008 are two of the toughest rivals in the class. First up is the Skoda Yeti- our Car of the Year in 2010 which delivers rugged looks, a roomy interior and brilliant driving experience. Better still, our GreenLine test car claims low emissions and excellent fuel economy.

It’s joined by the MINI Countryman, which scores with a great image. The cabin is short on kit and doesn’t offer loads of space, but is packed with practical touches, while the 1.6-litre diesel is cheap to run. So, has the fashionably late Peugeot model hit the target or missed the boat?

Peugeot 2008

Peugeot is on a roll at the moment. Its sleek RCZ coupé still sets the style standard, the 3008 crossover has been flying out of UK showrooms and 208 was named the best supermini at Auto Express’s New Car Awards in 2012.

Its sleek RCZ coupé still sets the style standard

Now it’s the turn of the 2008 to continue this success story. Based on the 208, the rugged crossover model promises to deliver family-car space, MPV versatility and low supermini running costs – all wrapped up in a distinctively styled package.

The newcomer attracts plenty of attention. Some of the detailing is a little fussy, but the combination of bold, swept-back headlamps, lots of chrome trim and rugged plastic body cladding helps it stand out. Our Feline-spec test car also benefits from a set of stylish, two-one 17-inch Eridan alloy wheels.

Dials obscured by wheel, while fake leather looks attractive

Anyone who’s driven a 208 will feel right at home behind the wheel, as the supermini’s dashboard has been carried over more or less unchanged. Unfortunately, that means you get the same controversial high-set dials that a number of our testers found were obscured by the steering wheel rim.

Still, the rest of the cabin is well designed, plus there are some neat touches – such as the blue-illuminated LED strips that surround the speeds and rev counter, and the stitched fake leather dashboard covering. Overall quality is good, with plenty of soft-touch plastics and solid build. However, some of the materials feel fragile, such as the brittle sliding cover for the center console’s storage bin.

There’ll be very few complaints about the amount of standard kit on offer, though. Dualzone climate control, touchscreen sat-nav and automatic lights and wipers are all included, as a cruise control and a panoramic glass roof. Add this desirable kit to the MINI, and you’d have to pay a whopping $2,985 extra.

The rest of the cabin is well designed, plus there are some neat touches

Yet while the Peugeot comes crammed full of gadgets, it can’t match its rivals for family-friendly practically. Not only is there fractionally less legroom for passengers in the back, this is also the only car of our trio to make do without a sliding and reclining rear seat – although you do at least get a traditional 60:40 split folding function.

The 2008 also offers less storage for odds and ends, as the door bins are small and most of the glove box is taken up by the fuse box.

It’s a similar story in the 360-litre boot, where you’ll find there are useful shopping bag hooks, or even a 12V power supply. On the plus side, the load area is well shaped and has a low loading lip plus a wide opening.

Dualzone climate control, touchscreen sat-nav and automatic lights and wipers are all included, as a cruise control and a panoramic glass roof

And what the Peugeot lacks in outright practically, it makes up for in performance. Its 113bhp 1.6 liter diesel in incredibly refined and responds eagerly to the throttle, helping to make the 2008 comfortably the fastest car on test. It was particularly impressive in gear, racing from 50-70mph in sixth in nine seconds flat – 3.4 seconds up on the MINI.

Away from the track, it’s clear that Peugeot has rediscovered its flair for fine ride and handling. You’d struggle to call the 2008 fun, but its direct steering, decent grip and strong body control inspire confidence.

In addition, the supple suspension soaks up bumps that send a shudder through the cabins of the Yeti and MINI, while wind and road noise are well-suppressed. In fact, the only black marks are reserved for the six-speed manual gearbox’s stiff and clunky shift action and the unusually shaped handbrake lever.

Chrome trim, body cladding and 17-inch alloys ensure the 2008 turns heads on the road

Our top-spec Feline also has the neat Grip Control set-up, which allows the front-wheel-drive 2008 to do some light off-roading. This lets you fine-tune the traction control for different surfaces – like sand, snow and mud by using a rotary dial between the front seats. However, it’s not as effective as the 4x4 transmissions available as pricey options on the 2008’s rivals.

At $28,493 the Peugeot falls between the Skoda and MINI on price. Yet it’s far better equipped as standard than these cars and indeed most rivals in this class. Plus, it emits the least CO₂ on test, thanks in part to the 2008’s smooth and effective stop-start system, which shuts off the engine as you’re coasting to a halt. Yet there’s no escaping the fact that the interior is smaller than and not as versatile as its rival’s here, and the bold looks won’t be to all tastes, either.