Ireland's best selling Peugeot has been given a makeover. You might not be overly familiar with the 2008, but so far this year the compact SUV accounts for almost 25 per cent of Peugeot's car sales in Ireland.
The most obvious change to the three-year-old model is purely cosmetic. The five-seater - based on the firm’s 208 supermini - has always been a subtle looking crossover. The five-door, front-wheel drive crossover has been given a more striking look at the front, while at the rear there are new LED light clusters. The facelift makes the 2008 look bulkier yet it remains a lightweight car, weighing in at less than 1.2 tonnes.
Under the skin the new 2008 hasn’t changed. So the ride and handling remain neutral with the emphasis on comfort, if lacking in pace. Inside the cabin the ‘iCockpit’ dash layout remains but with a few more gadgets thrown in to the mix. Depending on equipment level, the 2008 now includes a reversing camera, large touch screen, automatic parking (Park Assist) and emergency autonomous braking Active City Brake that works at speeds up to 30km/h. Connectivity is improved with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink available for smartphone users.
Soft-roader
Should you find yourself in harsh driving conditions or wishing to go slightly off road there is the option of Peugeot’s Grip Control. This electronic driving aid uses the car’s braking system and electronic stability control to maintain traction. When grip is lost, or is hard to find, there are five modes from which to choose. It’s not going to challenge proper off-roaders, but there are still a few Irish farmers who remember how the simple Peugeot 504 family car did was an admirable doppelganger for a small tractor. Peugeots aren’t adverse to a bit of rough a tumble.
While the 75bhp 1.6-litre diesel and the 82bhp petrol are the preferred option amongst buyers, our favourite petrol engine was the 130bhp that delivered lively acceleration with a good amount of torque (230nm). The surprise was that the entry point diesel proved itself very capable despite what on paper seemed a lowly 75bhp, but its 230nm of torque was up to the job of hauling us around with little fuss.
The compact SUV sector is growing and there is healthy competition with 2008's main rivals being the big selling Dacia Duster, Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and Opel Mokka. This year in Ireland the 2008 follows these four, but it ranks an impressive number two in its class in Europe. Currently prices for the 2008 start from €19,290, but Peugeot says there will be a slight price increase when new version arrives here in July. It seems to be up for the fight in what has become a hot segment for new car sales.
