Triple Crossing: The 2014 Peugeot 2008 Review

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This late coming 208 supermini based crossover is a more sophisticated addition to the segment. It holds all the advantages of an urban runabout with economically strong engines, attractive styling plus that all-weather ability, mild off-road ability, space and comfort you’d expect from its SUV DNA. It’s a complete package that proves to be a good shout when shopping about in this segment.

The 2014 Peugeot 2008 looks a bit more mature than most of the crossover class – a segment where most manufacturers go for super trendy, super sporty or super off the wall designs. It still bares all the hallmarks of its base 208 design if it had gone on a course of heavy steroid abuse to bring out that SUV chunkiness without losing its Peugeot-ness. It’s longer, higher and wider than the 208 and despite this shift in dimensions; it’s a good looking machine. The boot gives you a full 360ltrs (that’s 30% more than you’d find in a Nissan Juke and about the same as you’d find in a Mocha.

So the 2014 Peugeot 2008 is very competitive but actually more usable due to its suitably low metal protected loading lip, tie hooks and a handy 22ltr compartment under the floor. The rear bench also folds down completely flat to reveal a full 1194ltrs of which to apply to any and all of your cargo needs. The rear seating area is lovely and airy, but despite looks isn’t much bigger than an ordinary 208. 2 adults should be pretty comfortable or 3 kids. In the front the Peugeot really sells itself a high quality feel and unique design character that other crossovers can’t even touch. There are plenty of classy trims and cool features, but the best by far is the jet fighter style handbrake. The infotainment system looks a lot like a tablet that has been fitted up to the dash and gets more and more sophisticated and loaded with features the higher up the range you go. The menu navigation can be a bit fiddly, especially when driving so it takes a little getting used to, but overall it’s a swish system.

Behind the wheel of the 2014 Peugeot 2008, there seems to be a proper mix of car type elements. There’s the small sporty steering wheel, an SUV-like commanding driving position and the light steering and soft ride that you might normally associate with an MPV. Despite sounding a bit confused, it actually goes together quite well. Specifically it’s good to see that the distinctively SUV elements haven’t messed up the nippy 206 dynamics that lie underneath the 2014 Peugeot 2008. Throwing it about however, you’ll see that the change of dimensions (specifically the extra height) does lend to extra body roll. Upon this the turning doesn’t feel spectacularly sharp. The tiny steering wheel would also get in the way of the instrument panel if the Peugeot engineers hadn’t already foreseen this and moved it above the dash in the manner of an MPV to give you a nice, poor man’s heads up display effect where you don’t have to take your eyes of the road. Engine-wise, a standard 3 cylinder 1.2ltr unit comes in a number of variations and works surprisingly well considering its size. The entry level 82bhp unit is nicely willing due to its low curb weight and gets to 62mph in 13.5 seconds up to its top speed of 105mph. You do need to rev it pretty hard to get all the way there though. There are the supercharged 1.2ltr VTi petrol engines that come in 110 and 130bhp forms.

If you want a diesel 2014 Peugeot 2008 then you have the option of the 1.4ltr HTi, which admittedly isn’t spectacular performance-wise. It can’t reach 100mph and takes 15 seconds to get to 62mph, while also lacking the stop/start system for decent fuel economy. The best thing to do is stretch to the 92bhp 1.6ltr E-HDi which gets to 62 in 12.8 seconds up to 113mph. You can also get this engine in 115bhp form which cuts the 62 to 10.4 seconds and gets you up to 117mph. Being a crossover, the question of off-road prowess will now undoubtedly be asked. To this end you’d actually be quite surprised. Despite the fact that it has a limiting 165mm’s of ground clearance and no 4WD option, it’s actually fairly capable of lighter off-road duties. To get that you better opt for a higher end model which comes with the Grip Control system which, when combined with the standard ESP stability control system and snow tyres, can actually get around the tougher stuff with the best of this class.

All in all, what’s the lowdown with the 2014 Peugeot 2008? This crossover is precisely that – it is a lot of things rolled into one. It has positive elements of a supermini, an SUV and an MPV which could seem quite unfocused if it didn’t blend so seamlessly to create a proper all-rounder. Sure there are rivals that handle a little better, but the pure flexibility you’ll find in owning one of these will more than make up for it. The Peugeot 2008’s subtle design makes it reek of sophistication and quality in a way which is sure to sway buyers who don’t want to adhere to the showy standards of this trendy segment. If you’re looking at supermini’s then the question must be asked… why not go the whole hog and go for this 2014 Peugeot 2008 over a normal 208? Food for thought. But yummy food.

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