2013 PEUGEOT 2008 REVIEW

Neat styling of the all-new Peugeot 2008 have a nice touch of French flair

Peugeot 2008 is small SUV based on the Peugeot 208 hatchback. It joins the sales fray in what has suddenly become a rather busy market category – that of sub-compact SUVs. In the last three months we’ve seen the introduction of the all-new Ford EcoSport, Holden Trax and Nissan Juke. Soon to arrive is the Renault Captur.

Suzuki has just launched it new S-Cross, and the Mini Countryman has been around for a while. Both vehicles are slightly larger than the Peugeot 2008, but may also fall into the ‘please-consider’ category.

STYLING
The new Peugeot 2008 is relatively conservative in its design theme, unlike the way-out appearance of other sub-compact SUVs – the Juke and Trax are right out there, as is the Captur.

Having been in the vanguard of the ‘big-grille’ era that is now being copied by just about everyone else, Peugeot has moved onwards into another styling theme.

Which is exactly what you would expect from the French marque. Peugeot is the world’s oldest car nameplate, introducing its first automobiles in 1889, having built bicycles for the previous 60 years. So it comes as no surprise the French marque wants to retain its trendsetter image.

MODELS
There are three equipment levels, Peugeot 2008 Active, 2008 Allure and 2008 Outdoor. All have alloy wheels, air conditioning, Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming and a USB socket, front and rear foglights and stylish roof rails.

The midrange 2008 Allure adds leather trim, heated front seats, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers and full-length dark glass roof with a retractable blind.

Peugeot 2008 Outdoor has Peugeot’s Grip Control traction control system (more about it in a moment), larger 17-inch alloys, up one inch on the other models, and engine stop-start.

ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
Peugeot 2008 comes with the choice of three engines: a three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol, a four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre turbo-diesel.

The 1.6-litre petrol is the only one offered with an automatic transmission. A somewhat out of date unit with only four forward ratios.

Though they can (just) trace their design back to the days of 4WDs, very few modern SUVs are intended to be anything other than passenger wagons, so the Peugeot 2008 comes only with two-wheel drive (to the front wheels).

Cleverly, Peugeot 2008 Outdoor has what the engineers call a Grip Control package aimed at giving it extra traction in slippery conditions. The driver can select between five modes: Standard, Snow, Off-Road, Sand and ESP Off.

Our test car was the top-of-the range Peugeot 2008 Outdoor with the turbo-diesel and mandatory five-speed manual gearbox.

INTERIOR
Interior space is good for a wagon of this size, but best suited to couples with pre-teen children rather than four adults. The tall seating position does mean the front occupants can move their seats forward and still remain pretty comfortable, so making space for adults behind them isn’t too much of a hassle.

Boot space is a very useful 410 litres, which can be expanded to 1400 litres with the 33/67 seat backs folded flat by way of a clever quick-release mechanism. The safety and convenience of multiple anchor points, retaining connectors and a cargo net is appreciated.

SAFETY
Six airbags, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, daytime running lights and a full set of electronic traction and braking systems ensure the 2008 is one of the safest in its field. It received five stars in European crash testing.

A surprising omission is grab handles. While not usually listed as a safety feature they do let passengers minimise the chances of being bounced about on rough roads or during spirited driving.

DRIVING
With only 68 kW ‘our’ Peugeot 2008 Outdoor turbo-diesel wasn’t exactly over endowed with power. But diesels are all about torque and a useful 230 Nm makes the 2008 Outdoor feel livelier than the other specs suggest. Keeping the engine in its broad rev range was never a problem as the five-speed manual has a good change action.

Down changes often weren’t required in hilly driving as the turbocharger can push in extra fuel on demand.

Typically fuel consumption during our test period was in the six to seven litres per hundred kilometres range in country driving, rising to seven to nine litres per hundred around town.

Handling has always been a Peugeot strong point and although the 2008 is no sports car it clings to the road surprisingly well without any loss in comfort. Chassis balance is good and the driver gets a fair degree of feedback through the steering wheel.

A controversial feature is the tiny racecar-style steering wheel. We love the look and feel of it, but there were times when it blocked the view of sections of the high-mounted instrument panel.

In a triumph of fashion over function Peugeot has come up with a chunky handbrake lever that’s very awkward to use. And it’s all-but impossible to put the handbrake on without creating the horrible screeching sound that irritates many people. Give us one with a normal push-in button any day.

SUMMING UP
Peugeot 2008 has a neat appearance, comfort, carrying capacity and good engine options. But the lack of an automatic option in too many models will hurt sales. It is covered by the importer’s new five-year Assured Capped Price Servicing Plan, at $369 a year.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
Active 1.2-litre petrol five-door hatch: $21,990 (manual)
Active 1.6-litre petrol five-door hatch: $24,990 (automatic)
Allure 1.6-litre petrol five-door hatch: $27,990 (manual), $29,990 (automatic)
Outdoor 1.6-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch: $31,990 (manual)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Peugeot dealer for driveaway prices.

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in Active 1.6; optional in Allure; not offered in Outdoor
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in all models
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Bluetooth: Standard in all models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (Peugeot 2008 Outdoor 1.6-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.560 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: Four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: Not supplied
Bore/Stroke: 75.0 mm x 88.3 mm
Maximum Power: 68 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 230 Nm @ 1750 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Not offered
Final Drive Ratio: Not supplied

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4159 mm
Wheelbase: 2537 mm
Width: 1739 mm
Height: 1556 mm
Turning Circle: Not supplied
Kerb Mass: 1131 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres
Towing Ability: 950 kg with braked trailer
Boot Capacity: 410 litres (1400 litres with rear seatbacks folded)

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, helical springs, hydraulic dampers
Rear Suspension: Torsion beam, helical springs, hydraulic dampers
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 11.5 seconds

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 4.0 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 8.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km