Tall-riding hatchbacks, crossovers, SAVs… Call you what you may, there is no denying that this segment has received a lot of attention and improvement over the past few years, to the point that brands are killing off previous models in an effort to focus their efforts on cars that can be many things for many people.
The 2008 is a perfect example of that. It was first introduced as the replacement of the 207 Station Wagon (which I owned one), as Peugeot never built a station wagon version of the 208, and this new, second generation has recently benefitted from a facelift. I had a GT Hybrid for a few days and it was a good way to rekindle the memories from a brand it had been a while since I last tried out.
And it was with quite a looker at that. The 2008 lines are modern, full of character, and fit the purpose of being a spacious vehicle that looks like a Peugeot from a block away. It looks as being just the right size between a compact hatchback and a full fledged SUV. My friends that saw the car resonated with the triangles that send a line that connects one another from the side view, and the signature “teeth” DRLs. The GT trim line I had adds a bit of flair with badges throughout and a different wheel design.
Jumping inside, the first thing you see is the mix of the cluster mounted high up with the small steering wheel, in Peugeot fashion. The cluster has a 3 dimensional effect with one screen in front of the other, which leads to some interesting textures to make it pop. The small steering wheel is a novelty once you first experience it, but provided you can find a good driving position where it doesn’t intrude your view of the screens, it becomes second nature quite quickly. The other contributor to that is the drivers seat, and we have to talk more about it.
Peugeot has a history of fitting nice seats to some models, and the 2008 GT (with the Alcantara seat option) is no exception. The seats are comfortable, supportive, good looking, breathe well and have a good range of adjustment. And did I mention they have a massaging function? The combo of heating, electric adjustment and a proper massaging feature (that pumps the lumbar support bladders) made the seats of one of the absolute highlights of the interior. Space is plentiful up front, and adequate on the second row. The two tiered boot is very good and by folding seats around you can amplify its usability even more. The only detractor here is the excess of shiny black plastic – it’s basically everywhere. Give me some texture, Peugeot!
In terms of tech, the experience is positive and convenient. Walk towards the car and the key unlocks it automatically, an often overlooked but very useful feature. The screen is slightly turned towards the driver, and performs well in all regards. Wireless phone projection is snappy and reliable, there are plenty of ports for charging devices, and there is a handy lip to rest your hand to ensure accurate finger pointing. ADAS systems work great, even more so once you remember how to operate the familiar third stalk Peugeot uses on the steering wheel – speaking from experience.
Customisation is light but effective, including interior lighting, drivers display layout and options to create profiles that link device connection. Oh, and the sound system is amazing, with clarity, punch and versatility – not too long ago, even signed systems would sound worse than this.
Considering my test model was the Hybrid, it’s worth discussing the addition of the electric motor to Stellantis’ corporate 1.2 litre three cylinder. Hybridisation in Crossovers is a combination we are seeing in many different flavours recently, and here we have a 48V system that rarely powers the wheels by itself. Being a three popper, it has more texture and character than other commuter engines, and makes good use of the turbo and electric motor to pick up and go when asked. It is not the smoothest operator, however, as the handoff between ICE and EV can be jarring every now and again, both when engaging during acceleration or when turning off while stopping. Once it gets going, however, the jerkiness is gone and it basically disappears from view: not a lot of noise makes its way into the cabin, and the attached eDCT gearbox handles changes in a way that simulates changes even when the car is in EV-only mode.
On the dynamic side of things, the 2008 drives very European, in the best way possible. The small steering wheel makes it eager to change directions with small inputs, and the good front grip makes it poised while doing so. The combination of the hybrid regen with the “downshifts” from the paddles will allow you to shave enough speed before a bend, allowing you to enjoy momentum with engagement. The firm ride is never uncomfortable, but the same damping hand that giveth taketh away: repeated undulations can upset the rear suspension in an unobtrusive but noticeable way. In terms of efficiency, I drove it relatively efficiently and got mid 6L/100km, so your mileage may vary, quite literally.
All in all, the 2008 is a good looking, lovely to drive and super easy to live with crossover. It packs the tech, the design, the dynamics and the efficiency in a package that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere, and that sets it apart in a sea of crossovers. It manages to feel unapologetically like a Peugeot even with some corporate shared components, and fans of the lion will get exactly what they are expecting in the facelifted 2008. Thanks, Peugeot, for the opportunity, and thank you for reading!
