2020 Peugeot 2008 Small SUV

Yes, the Peugeot 208 does have a bigger brother; yes literally.  A new Peugeot 2008 is the jacked up SUV version of the small 208 Hatchback, and it’s lovable and handy to have as a car for the small family or even as a first car.  I like the way it has a nice elevated ride height; the car is safe and feels it.  But it also looks really good in the way that modern Peugeots really do, and I like that.  So, without further ado let’s take a closer look at the little cat, or should I have called it Pug.

2020 Peugeot 2008 Small SUV

Let’s kick off the 2020 Peugeot 2008 with the neat way the car looks.  The snazzy lights and the shape of the bumpers get it going for me.  The styling of these two important things draw the eye and make quite a statement, to the point that I reckon this is the best looking small SUV on the market.  The two-tone roof colours look superb and bring up the class factor.  Really nice alloy wheel designs are part of the mix that get larger the further up the model line-up you go, also adding to the happy blend of lines and shapes that you find going on with the suave 2008 SUV.  Around the front of the car is a classy looking face with three strip LED lighting in each headlight – this looks so cool.  Then the DRLs are long horizontal lines flowing down the flanks of the front bumper, which blend superbly with the headlight design.  Top job Peugeot!

A 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine powers the Peugeot 2008 SUV in three levels: 75 kW, 96 kW and 114 kW.  A 1.5-litre turbo-diesel is also available in Europe (sadly) with 76 kW and this is excellent on fuel.  An electric version of the small Pug is also available that is capable of producing as much as 101 kW (Europe only at this stage).  Manual and auto gearboxes are available according to choice.  So, which ones do we get here in Australia?  Well, to start with the 96 kW and 114 kW 1.2 Petrol Turbos are the only ones available.  These are fine power plants and suit the urban and intercity travel nicely.  But, as mentioned above, the diesel option would have been good.

The Allure gets the 96 kW engine, which also comes with as much as 230 Nm of torque from a low down 1750 rpm.  In this guise you are linked to a smooth six-speed automatic, and fuel consumption should average out to around 7.0 litres/100 km, though at times you’ll record better.  Top speed is 199 km/h, and the 0-100 sprint takes around 9.3 seconds.

The GT Sport models boast the 114 kW 1.2 petrol turbo motor, and with this comes a zippier drive, thanks to an eight-speed automatic and that extra bit of grunt.  Maximum torque also becomes available from 1750 rpm, and it dials up to 240 Nm.  This little bit of extra oomph means that a top speed well in excess of 200 km/h is achievable and the 0-100 dash drops to below 9 seconds.  Economy-wise, the GT Sport should return you around 6.5 litres/100 km on average, thanks a million to the two extra gears on the smooth auto box.

Out on the road the 2020 Peugeot 2008 is nimble and grippy small SUV.  The FWD chassis makes short work of the bumps in the road, and it actually feels quite comfortable.  There are no AWD/4WD versions available, which also means that this has pretty low running costs, all things considered.  The car is quiet and relaxing to drive.

2020 Peugeot 2008 Small SUV

Back to the design, because Peugeot design prowess doesn’t stop at just the exterior.  Enter into the new Peugeot 2008 world and the shapes, contours, screens, materials, fascia, technology and lighting all make you go wow!  The seats are fantastically comfortable (great for long trips), and these high-end models are covered with premium leather and accented stitching.  Soft touch panelling above hip level makes the car feel more than above-average, and it’s all of this that sets this wee number at the head of the bunch of small SUVs available on the market.

The dash also boasts piano buttons as short-cut options for the infotainment system, and these are pretty handy and easy to use.  The screen functions are quick and the display is nice and clear.  An array of USB points in the front and rear seating areas is standard.  This is a well sorted little car for keeping up with the latest technology for the phone, tablet or otherwise.

The Allure boasts plenty of good kit and has things like a leather steering wheel, a decent infotainment screen with plenty of good vibes coming through the six-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and rear parking sensors make life easy in town.  The leather combination for the seats is smart; and climate controlled air-conditioning, an electronic parking brake, rear tinted windows and all-round parking sensors are some pretty swanky features.  An upgraded infotainment system and satellite navigation are some extra things you can get, and you’ll find a classy digital dash for the driver with a 3D display, colour options and clever info and effects strike a sweet spot.

GT Sport models are pretty premium and they get the part leather seating with accented stitching, heating and GT-Line logos.  Ambient lighting with 8 different colours makes an appearance, and you can move in reverse with the help of a reversing camera.  We’re sunk without our mobile phone these days, so this model has a nice dash wireless charging compartment that you can stow away your phone into while you drive.  The GT Sport Peugeot 2008 models is the flagship model in Australia, and so adaptive cruise control, stop and go engine control, keyless entry and keyless start are part of the 2008 deal.

An optional, and beautiful, glass roof can also grace your very own small Peugeot SUV.  Nappa leather, a premium sound system and even a massage function for the front seats are some other options available, should you so desire.

Rear seat space in a new 2008 is excellent, and even the taller adults will find the head space very good, along with the roomy leg space.  Boot space equates to 434 litres of luggage space behind the rear seats, and there is no loading lip to heave things up and over.  Handy underfloor boot storage and side compartments make it a practical small SUV.  Fold the rear seats flat and the luggage space is lots and lots!

What’s it like compared with a Nissan Juke, Ford Puma and VW T-Cross.  Well, if it were me, I reckon I’d place this one at the top of the tree with a Ford Puma a close second.

2020 Peugeot 2008 FWD SUV

The 2020 Peugeot 2008 Australian models currently include the:

• 2008 Allure
• 2008 GT Sport

For any more information on the new Peugeot 2008 SUV, or for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Peugeot dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!