► Upgraded family styling for new 2008, plus new badging
► Long-awaited mild hybrid variant to arrive in 2024
► e-2008 battery upgrade gives up to 252 miles of range
Peugeot has refreshed its popular compact SUV, the 2008, with a new face, upgraded powertrains and some enhancements to the interior. Launched in 2019, the 2008’s a popular choice already, but the facelift brings its styling in line with Peugeot’s latest products – particularly with the inclusion of the brand’s new ‘shield’ badge to replace the old lion.
The upgrades also encompass the e-2008 – the electric variant. Orders for both will open this summer.
Quite the styling upgrade
Not everyone on the CAR team is a fan of Peugeot’s rebrand, but we must admit the 2008 looks good. The shield-shaped badge sits in the centre of a widened, frameless grille that extends out to the headlights. This grille is horizontal and gloss black on base-spec Active cars, vertical and body-coloured on Allure and GT models.
Peugeot’s three-bar lighting signature is reflected in the vertical LED daytime running lights below the aggressive-looking headlights – the 2008 motif is picked out along the bonnet’s leading edge. At the rear, the now-full LED taillights have been redesigned with a horizontal motif that artificially widens the rear end.
There’ll be alloy wheels from 16-18 inches and a choice of six colours – Selenium Grey, Cumulus Grey, Okenite White, Nera Black, Elixir Red and Vertigo Blue. Peugeot’s policy is to make the launch colour available at no cost, so expect the Selenium Grey featured here to be free. We’re rather disappointed it’s not a more exciting shade – and that Peugeot’s dropped Orange Fusion from the colour lineup.
What’s new inside?
There’s rather less of a transformation inside. The largest, ten-inch touchscreen from the pre-facelift car is now the standard offering, while the digital i-Cockpit dials have been redesigned. The 3D effect that was a headline feature of the old car is now resigned to top-spec GT models.
The steering wheel, still as dinky as ever, wears the new Peugeot badge, and there are updated seat fabrics with optional Alcantara on GT models. The previous USB-A port has also been upgraded to USB-C. Otherwise, the cabin looks to be much the same, with its love-it-or-hate-it driving position, distinctive ‘piano’ switches as shortcuts and glut of glossy black plastic.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard equipment, as will adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aids and blindspot monitoring. TomTom sat-nav will be an optional addition.
What’s the engine lineup like?
No surprises at the outset – the 2008’s powered by a selection of 1.2-litre, three-cylinder PureTech petrol engines. Available initially will be 99bhp or 128bhp power outputs, paired to a six-speed manual gearbox or optional eight-speed auto for the latter. The previously available 153bhp model won’t be offered.
Four-wheel drive is not available, but for those who want their SUV to be just a little more capable there is Grip Control, which sends power to whichever front wheel has more traction. It comes with three selectable drive modes – Sand, Mud and Snow – as well as all-season tyres.
In 2024, Peugeot will dip its foot into hybridisation with a 48V mild hybrid offering, combining a 136bhp 1.2-litre Puretech engine with a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox containing an electric motor. The brand claims it’ll operate in electric mode more than 50% of the time during urban driving and lower fuel consumption by 15%. We’ll hold judgement ‘til we’ve tried it…
And the e-2008?
That’s been given a boost in line with other Stellantis EVs such as the recently launched Jeep Avenger. A new 54kWh battery gives a claimed WLTP range of 252 miles, up from 214 miles on the pre-facelift car. Since we found the previous model to give a gently-driven 150 miles on a full charge, we’d hope for 180+ out of the new battery.
Power’s also been boosted to 154bhp. Performance figures haven’t been released but other vehicles in the Stellantis group that use this powertrain accelerate from 0-62mph in around nine seconds.
Onboard charging is 7.4kW as standard and can be upped to an 11kW three-phase charger if you prefer. Fast-charging will see a 0-80% top-up in 30 minutes from a 100kW charger.
Peugeot’s also added an electric route planner to the MyPeugeot app, which predicts the level of charge left when you arrive at your destination.
Pricing for the new 2008 hasn’t yet been revealed, but we’d expect a small increase over the current car’s £24,315 (petrol) and £35,900 (electric). We’ll of course bring more details when we have them.