By Breda Corrigan
Initially launched in 2013, the original Peugeot 2008 compact SUV went on to win the hearts of families in Ireland, and far beyond. Thanks to its practicality, versatility, raised ride height and comprehensive safety equipment, the ground-breaking 2008 became an instant success for the iconic French vehicle manufacturing giant. Fast-forward 7 years, and in 2020 the all-new Peugeot 2008, and its fully-electric sibling the e-2008, graced our shores – both of which brought with them a massive amount of distinctive style, and substance too. A fresh design inside and out provided the new 2008 and e-2008 with classy visual flair, while bringing them into line with the rest of Peugeot’s latest model range at the time.
Mid-Life Upgrade.
The 2008 and e-2008 now benefit from a recent mid-life upgrade that includes revised front and rear styling, new colour options, and stylish new alloys, while Peugeot’s new brand identity is also present. The new e-2008 is offered in Active, Allure, and GT trim levels – exactly mirroring the trim levels in the regular 2008 SUV, with an impressive tally of standard equipment across the entire model range. All trim levels now come with a 10-inch touchscreen that is angled towards the driver, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity also standard across the range. Build quality throughout the cabin is excellent, with ample use of soft-touch materials on visible surfaces providing a premium feel.
Fully-Electric Power;
When it was launched in 2020, the fully-electric Peugeot e-2008 was powered by a 50kWh battery and a 136bhp electric motor, but the latest e-2008 debuts a bigger 54kWh battery and a new motor which produces 156bhp, resulting in a range of up to 406km – up from the 345km range with the smaller battery.
Unlike some EV’s, there is no compromise compared with the petrol or mild hybrid 2008 when it comes to practicality, as cabin and boot space are exactly the same regardless of the model or powerplant chosen. In fact, the cargo capacity in the e-2008 stands at 434-litres with the rear seats in place, and rises to a cavernous 1,467-litres when the rear seat are folded flat. Additionally, with 32-litres of storage space located throughout the cabin, passengers will find it easy to store bottles or other items in safety.
Easy Charging Options;
As before, the latest e-2008 can be charged at speeds of up to 100kW, so topping up the battery from 0-80% capacity can be completed in just 30 minutes, or in approximately 7.5 hours with a 7kW wall-box charger, which most owners will use for overnight charging at home. The electric powertrain not only delivers low running costs (annual road tax of just €120, for example), but strong refinement too.
Test Car;
My test car was a Peugeot e-2008 GT, which was finished in delightful Selenium Grey metallic paint (available at no extra cost). Key standard GT equipment includes stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, ‘VisioPark 2’ consisting of high definition front and rear cameras with 360-degree visibility, Full LED headlights, 3-claw LED daytime running lights, front & rear parking sensors, keyless entry with push-button start & stop, leather steering wheel with distinctive green stitching, and gloss black longitudinal roof bars. The spacious interior of the e-2008 GT features key items such as automatic air-conditioning, pre-heating functionality, high centre console with two cup holders, central front armrest with storage space, and a configurable PEUGEOT 3D i-Cockpit™ instrument panel display. Standard safety systems include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Active Lane Departure with Lane Correction, and Extended Traffic Sign Recognition & Display, along with a multitude of airbags.
Effortless Driving Experience;
Producing 156bhp and 260Nm of instant torque through a single-speed automatic transmission, the e-2008 is totally effortless to drive. The car surges forward in a serene manner when you accelerate, while remaining comfortable when driven over road imperfections and speed ramps. The excellent ride and handling characteristics of the standard Peugeot 2008 carry through to the e-2008, while a light steering feel suits the car perfectly and follows driver inputs with great precision. The e-2008 is capable of reaching a top speed of 150km/h (where permitted) and can sprint from 0-100km/h in as little as 8.7-seconds. As mentioned above, the official WLTP battery range in the upgraded e-2008 is quoted at 406km, but I managed to record a 422km range when I fully charged the car from my home wall-box charger, so the figure quoted is certainly realistic and definitely obtainable. The e-2008 is a brilliant car to drive on city streets, but equally enjoyable on a motorway journey too, while its slightly raised driving position provides great visibility for all occupants. The e-2008’s roomy interior looks great and the upmarket looks are backed up by excellent build quality, with the use of plush materials which can even give more expensive rivals a run for their money. The dashboard surfaces are pleasantly soft to touch, while the physical buttons that protrude from the dash not only look fantastic, but they are super-practical too.
Verdict, Pricing & Warranty;
The upgraded Peugeot e-2008 is a sharp, modern-looking compact SUV which has the ability to make some of its competitors look dull in comparison, and it makes a strong case for itself as a stylish, practical and extremely comfortable SUV, with the added benefit of low running costs and a comprehensive 5-year/100,000km Peugeot vehicle warranty, along with an 8-year traction battery warranty for total peace of mind motoring. Pricing starts at just €35,895 (inclusive of current VRT Relief and SEAI Grant, where applicable). Distinctive, beautifully built and packed with the very latest in infotainment and battery technology, the fully-electric Peugeot e-2008 could very well be the only car you will ever need.
