Peugeot e-2008 SUV (2023 - ) Electric review

Peugeot has simplified the drivetrain options for the entire 2008 range, dropping the diesel models and leaving a straight choice of either petrol or electric at three of the four specifications on offer. When it comes to the petrol PureTech engines, there are lower- and higher-power versions, the latter available with an automatic transmission as an option. However, the e-2008 is offered on all three main grades and in its own special First Edition spec, so it’s the more readily available model. Obviously, with its 0g/km emissions rating and all-electric running, then if you can charge it from home and your place of work, the e-2008 will be easy on the wallet for running costs. But bear in mind it is anything from £9,000 to £12,000 more than an equivalent-spec 2008 petrol, which means you need to carefully ensure the longer-term numbers add up before you decide to take the plunge on the EV.

Peugeot’s reputation for reliability has improved in recent years but it’s still by no means perfect. The previous-gen 2008 was known for developing faults, although this second-gen car has proved more dependable while the e-2008, which obviously lacks for a combustion engine and a complicated gearbox, is an even more solid choice. Peugeot provides the industry-standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty on its vehicles, the e-2008 included, but that mileage cap is only in effect for year three of the cover. For the first two years from first registration, it’s an unlimited-mileage warranty for added peace of mind.

Peugeot did enough with the 2008 to garner it a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2019, but that was for the car without an optional Safety Pack – with that fitted, it went up to a full five-star car. That step up in safety is, for the updated range, represented by the standard specification of all models but the basic Active car. From Allure grade upwards, all cars have an active safety braking set-up with night function plus cyclist and pedestrian detection, so can be considered five-star cars. All 2008 models further come with lane keeping assist, driver attention alert, tyre-pressure monitoring, and cruise control with a speed limiter plus speed limit recognition and recommendation. Higher-spec models allow for the optional fitment of blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control too, so it’s a secure vehicle in the safety department.

Facelifts don’t tend to change interior dimensions on cars and the Peugeot 2008 is no exception. That means it has still got a pretty roomy cabin, both in the front and the rear, and a decent-sized boot. The quality of the material finishing is very good too, and the upholstery gets progressively more swish as you progress up the range – so the front seats in a GT model, for example, are particularly accommodating. There’s good adjustment in the driving position and revisions to the display of Peugeot’s idiosyncratic i-Cockpit instrument cluster mean it is less likely that you’ll struggle to see information on said display, due to the endearingly small steering wheel getting in the way. In terms of the ride comfort and refinement of the e-2008, it’s all very impressive. Like any EV, the lack of a combustion engine makes the car feel smooth and composed at all times, while the suspension does a great job of absorbing bumps long before they get to the cabin. Higher-spec models with big alloys will be a little less graceful to travel in on lumpier tarmac, but in general an e-2008 will be most pleasant to travel in. It also handles well, despite being a comparatively heavy electric vehicle, although despite its competence it’s not particularly exciting or memorable on interesting roads.

The major change for the interior of the updated Peugeot 2008 range is a larger touchscreen for the infotainment. All models come with a 10.0-inch item as standard and it comes with the ‘piano key’ shortcuts underneath – although these mainly relate to the climate control functions. There are other touch-sensitive ‘buttons’ just ahead of these, which take you to other sub-menus in the infotainment, but there is only a ’Home’ logo, a ‘Car’ logo and a ‘Fan’ logo – which means shortcuts to features like navigation, your phone or the audio are missing. It doesn’t make for the most intuitive user interface, if we’re honest, albeit all the graphics on the screen look nice in operation. Besides this, equipment levels are decent on the base-spec 2008s, so as you climb through the model range you end up with greater luxuries onboard. GT cars feel suitably opulent inside, to somewhat mitigate their high purchase prices.

As the petrol PureTech models haven’t seen any significant drivetrain changes as part of the facelift, we’re focusing on the e-2008 – which has. Its former 50kWh (usable) battery pack provided up to 214 miles to a single charge (WLTP) and drove a 136 horsepower electric motor, which allowed for a 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds. It now has a 54kWh battery with a maximum 252 miles of driving range, while an enhanced 156 horsepower motor trims the performance to 9.1 seconds. These are all incremental but useful gains, so the e-2008 manages to remain relevant in a marketplace which has far more all-electric options than it did in 2019. It’s a nice enough thing in terms of performance too, though it doesn’t provide that strong ‘push in the back’ instant acceleration that many people associate with EVs. The e-2008 never feels particularly quick, although kudos to Peugeot for making this electric crossover feel so ‘normal’ to drive – it is in no way intimidating or difficult to deal with.