Should you buy one?

Yes, providing you specify your car carefully. You can spend an awful lot of cash on this small SUV, so try not to get bested by the dealer’s up selling tactics. The GT model’s extra equipment looks tempting, but it has a starting price of almost £34,000. That’s too much for what this car is.

Our advice is to stick with the most basic 2008 Allure and bolt on Peugeot’s £550 navigation and access pack. That way, you get creature comforts such as a wireless phone charger and built-in sat-nav while keeping the car’s price below £30,000. Make sure you avoid the largest 18-inch alloys, too. They impact ride comfort.

We think the 2008’s interior boosts its appeal. If you can entertain its unusual driving position, you’ll really appreciate the quality. It’s noticeably better than a Volkswagen T-Cross, which helps to justify its price. However, if you prioritise usability and space, take a look at the Skoda Kamiq instead, while the Ford Puma is a better drive with a larger boot.

What’s new?

The second-generation 2008 has been around 2019. Peugeot last updated the car in 2023, introducing some sharp new styling and an improved infotainment system. And, mercifully, the tweaks didn’t mess with the SUV’s good bits.

It’s related to the Vauxhall Mokka and Jeep Avenger yet is longer than both, making it the most practical member of the family. The 2008 is in a crowded market for small family cars, packed with some interesting rivals. Key competition comes from established names such as the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. We’d also consider the comfortable and Volkswagen T-Cross and must-try Parkers award-winning Skoda Kamiq.

But there’s lots more than that to like about the 2008. It’s available with decent line-up of engines, including perky petrols and even the all-electric e-2008. This underlines the company’s strategy of ‘choose your Peugeot, choose your powertrain,’ offering all of its newest models with ICE or EV power. If you’d like to find out how we put the 2008 through its paces, be sure to head over to our how we test cars page.

The interior’s another high point, putting just about every other small SUV into shade with a really stylish design and superb build quality.

Thanks to its interesting i-Cockpit design, with low-slung steering wheel and high-mounted instrument panel and a selection of interesting and high-quality trims interior trims, the 2008 manages to stand out for passengers as well as drivers.

A range of peppy petrol and hybrid engines completes the picture – all of which are eager with decent acceleration, offer refined cruising and are efficient on fuel. Consequently, they also produce low levels of emissions. If you want greener, there’s also an all-electric version known as the e-2008, which is covered in its own review.

Over the next few pages we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the Peugeot 2008 and rating them in our verdict. Our scores will take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and what it’ll cost you to run. If you want to know our reviewing process, have a look at our how we test page.