Peugeot 2008 GT Sport is a small-medium SUV that leans in the direction of medium. The 2008 designation (which Peugeot prefers to call two-thousand eight rather than two double-oh eight) means that it’s an SUV rather than a tall hatchback.
It’s not a GT or a Sport in the true sense of these labels, but it does have slightly firmer suspension and a different steering feel that will appeal to those who like to drive.
STYLING
The French are seemingly incapable of designing a car that doesn’t look great. The front is large and expansive, the window lines swoop up beautifully as they pass the centre of the rear doors. The wheel arches are large and carry black lips to emphasise that it’s an SUV.
There are large scallops in the doors themselves. A black panel all the way across the rear carries large lights, and the roof extends beyond the glass top and sides to give a sort of spoiler look. The door mirrors also get the black treatment and there are GT badges at their rear support them to let the person sitting beside you at a red light know what you’re driving.
As we said, Very French, and all we showed our test car liked it.
INTERIOR
Classed a five-seater – though we would call it a four-plus-one – rear area is as attractive as the rest of the car. As is the norm in cars of this size those in the front might have to give up some legroom to make better space for tall travellers back there.
The boot has a volume of 434 litres with all seats in use, and 1467 litres with the 60:40 rear seats both folded down. However, they don’t fold flat so our dog’s bed couldn’t be used there. There’s a slim out-of-sight area below the floor.
INFOTAINMENT
The large 10-inch horizontal infotainment screen is clear and reasonably easy to use. Our preference is always a vertical screen because you can see much more without the need to scroll, but the Peugeot does work better than most. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smart phone mirroring, as well as DAB+ radio and satellite navigation.
The wireless charging tray is handy as it saves having cables taking up space in the centre console area.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Power in the Sport comes from a high-tech 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine is 114kW at 5500rpm and 240Nm at 1750 revs. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
SAFETY
The Peugeot 2008 has a five-star safety rating. It has six airbags; driver and front passenger front and side and curtains. There are IsoFix child seat fittings for the outboard rear seats
Other passive safety features are tyre pressure sensors, and seatbelt not fastened alerts.
DRIVING
Ahh, the quirky French! The Peugeot digital instrument cluster sits on the top of the dashboard. You look over the top of the small steering wheel to see the instruments. I’m tall and like to sit high in a car so could see the instruments, others who drove it had their vision almost blotted out.
There’s just a hint of front-wheel-drive torque steer if you really blast it off the line in a traffic light grand prix. Okay, I’m not as young as I once was, but still enjoy driving like this…
There’s a sedate feel in the cabin during normal driving that almost feels like you’re in a larger car, even a prestige car at times. The French do like their comfort and this shows up beautifully. That’s despite the slightly sporty set up in the suspension.
On the open road with twisty bits, it handles nicely and give feedback through the steering wheel. On motorways its smooth and almost silent, bump-thump is felt through some joints in other ones it’s fine.
The little1.2-litre engine is willing enough and chats nicely to the eight-speed auto to make sure it’s in the right gear for the time.
Peugeot 2008 Sport GT has a five-year/unlimited-distance warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Under Peugeot’s Service Price Promise, the 2008 GT Sport will cost $2466 for the first five years/75,000km.
SUMMING UP
Want to get away from the serious German and somewhat classy British sporty SUVs? Then the very French Peugeot 2008 should sit at the top of your shopping list.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
2008 Allure: $34,990
2008 GT: $43,990
2008 GT Sport: $43,990
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Peugeot dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Peugeot 2008 GT Sport 1.2-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.199 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 114 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 240 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Fuel Type: Premium unleaded petrol
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.1 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 138 g/km
DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4300 mm
Wheelbase: 2605 mm
Width: 1770 mm
Height: 1550 mm
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1287 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 44 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres
