The 2008 has been a major cash cow for Peugeot over the last few years. It’s regularly been among Europe’s top three best-selling B-segment subcompact SUVs, topped the segment in 2021 and was the fifth most popular vehicle overall on the continent that year.
But last year’s performance wasn’t so hot, the crossover slipping outside the list of top 10 selling vehicles, meaning this facelifted 2008 needs to hit the ground running.
The good news is that it will be running faster than the old 2008 ever could thanks to some useful mechanical upgrades. The electric version of the 2008, the e-2008, which accounted for over 17 percent of European 2008 sales in 2022, making it a major player in the lineup, gets a larger 54 kWh battery pack that we first saw in the e-308 hatch and wagon and is making its way into the little e-208 hatch this year. That upgrade from the old 50 kWh battery improves the e-2008’s range from an unimpressive 214 miles (344 km) to a more useful 252 miles (406 km).
Related: Peugeot E-3008 And E-5008 Electric SUVs Confirmed With Up To 434-Mile Range
More EV Power, New Mild-Hybrid Option
But the updated EV’s benefits don’t end there. The larger battery is mated to a new 154 hp (156 PS) electric motor that gains 20 hp (20 PS), which should help improve on the outgoing version’s 8.5-second zero to 62 mph (97 km) time. If there’s a downside it’s that the e-2008 still can’t charge at more than 100 kW, meaning a 0-80 percent fill takes 30 minutes. For those wanting to charge at home Peugeot continues to offer an optional 11 kW on-board charger for people who find the 7.5-hour charge time the standard 7.4 kW version needs simply too long.
The other crucial mechanical news is the arrival of a 48-volt 1.2-liter mild-hybrid engine that Peugeot claims can operate more than 50 percent of the time as an EV, cutting fuel consumption by 15 percent. Peugeot announced two versions of this engine at the start of the 2023, both featuring a 28 hp (28 PS) electric motor inside the six-speed dual-clutch transmission, but pairing that motor with 99 hp (100 PS) and 134 hp (136 PS) versions of the 1.2 combustion motor. The 2008 only gets the hotter of those, and it won’t arrive until 2024, several months after the rest of the range.
Still don’t like the idea of one of those new-fangled hybrids, or fancy a manual shift? Then you’ll be better served by the base 99 hp non-hybrid 1.2-liter PureTech 100, which comes only with a six-speed DIY transmission, or the slightly punchier PureTech 130 (128 hp /130 PS) that is mated to either the six-ratio manual or an eight speed auto.
Bigger Grille, New Lights
The 2008’s visual overhaul is fairly discrete, but it does gain a new wider grille that gives the crossover more attitude and features Peugeot’s new corporate logo. Also new are the three cat-claw DRLs mounted in the lower bumper in place of the single fang on each side of the old car’s nose. GT cars can be identified by headlamps with three LED modules, but all cars gain new rear lights with horizontal LED slats embedded in the cluster.
The interior changes are harder to spot but there are refreshed fabrics and the 10-inch i-Cockpit instrument cluster gets a graphical makeover, while GT models still set themselves apart with a 3D display. And over in the center of the dash all version now come with a 10-inch touchscreen for the updated infotainment system. Sticking with the tech theme, Peugeot has also added more functionality to the MyPeugeot app. It now allows 2008 drivers to store digital copies of all maintenance invoices and send navigation details to the car from their smartphones ahead of a journey.
