The Peugeot 2008 changed my mind about small SUVs! REVIEW
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Date: 2022-04-11
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Comments and reviews: 10
autos
Having recently test driven the 2008 with 100 and 130hp, the 3008 with 130hp and the 155hp Puma. If you are after innovative exterior suv type design, more space (especially at the rear) and a rather neutral soft driving experience go for the 2008, if you demand any sense of thrill and joy out of driving, the Puma is your only option.
2008 Details
I would say that the 100hp 2008 was surprising as it had more pull than I expected and it was pretty decent in power delivery. Unfortunately the opposite was the case with the 130hp 2008, while there was a bit more power available it didn-t deliver that much extra pull or fun as I had expected. While the 2008 is very pleasant to drive, there is definitely no real thrill in either of the two engines. The 2008 exterior design is stunning, it is a joy look at, besides the flat triangle shape (the -rock- styling) on the sides, which never grew on me and kept on bugging me. The interior is very fresh and impressive, quite futuristic, to the level that at times it became slightly an over kill to my taste. Perhaps it is too aggressive in trying to impress inside the cabin, targeting more at the 20-30s age group. The 3008 is so much calmer and elegant and if the 2008 had followed that sort of interior styling I would be one step closer to choosing the 2008.
Puma Details
The Puma on the other hand has a nice interior but a rather neutral dash, no extra effort for design thrills there. One thing that actually bothered me was the blue color of the screens and the fact that the color of the middle screen cannot be customized and to a lesser degree the fact that it is not tilted towards the driver. However, while it is hard to explain, the interior of the Puma somehow feels like it-s put together in better way than the 2008, especially regarding things like buttons and switches they have a feeling of higher quality in their touch. Once you start driving the Puma, it offers such a nice feel, the engine, the gear box, the breaks, the steering and handling, it all gives you a big smile and i admit I ended up forgiving and forgetting the fact that Ford didn-t try as much to impress with the dashboard design.
Notes
Strangely enough as a tall person when the seat is high in the 2008 I got an obstructed view from the roof which meant I had to lower the seat to improve my field of view, which as a result gave me a lower driving position and less of an suv feel. In the puma I didn-t need to make such adjustments which actually made me feel like driving a taller car. The 2008 however does feel more like an Suv in terms of size, the long linear squared front and the lengthy rear seats and boot, in comparison to the Puma, which feels narrower and more compact. One last note of an odd detail of the 2008, the rev meter on the analog dashboard of the -active- model was reverse, meaning that when revving up the indicator went counter clockwise wise.
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Having recently test driven the 2008 with 100 and 130hp, the 3008 with 130hp and the 155hp Puma. If you are after innovative exterior suv type design, more space (especially at the rear) and a rather neutral soft driving experience go for the 2008, if you demand any sense of thrill and joy out of driving, the Puma is your only option.
2008 Details
I would say that the 100hp 2008 was surprising as it had more pull than I expected and it was pretty decent in power delivery. Unfortunately the opposite was the case with the 130hp 2008, while there was a bit more power available it didn-t deliver that much extra pull or fun as I had expected. While the 2008 is very pleasant to drive, there is definitely no real thrill in either of the two engines. The 2008 exterior design is stunning, it is a joy look at, besides the flat triangle shape (the -rock- styling) on the sides, which never grew on me and kept on bugging me. The interior is very fresh and impressive, quite futuristic, to the level that at times it became slightly an over kill to my taste. Perhaps it is too aggressive in trying to impress inside the cabin, targeting more at the 20-30s age group. The 3008 is so much calmer and elegant and if the 2008 had followed that sort of interior styling I would be one step closer to choosing the 2008.
Puma Details
The Puma on the other hand has a nice interior but a rather neutral dash, no extra effort for design thrills there. One thing that actually bothered me was the blue color of the screens and the fact that the color of the middle screen cannot be customized and to a lesser degree the fact that it is not tilted towards the driver. However, while it is hard to explain, the interior of the Puma somehow feels like it-s put together in better way than the 2008, especially regarding things like buttons and switches they have a feeling of higher quality in their touch. Once you start driving the Puma, it offers such a nice feel, the engine, the gear box, the breaks, the steering and handling, it all gives you a big smile and i admit I ended up forgiving and forgetting the fact that Ford didn-t try as much to impress with the dashboard design.
Notes
Strangely enough as a tall person when the seat is high in the 2008 I got an obstructed view from the roof which meant I had to lower the seat to improve my field of view, which as a result gave me a lower driving position and less of an suv feel. In the puma I didn-t need to make such adjustments which actually made me feel like driving a taller car. The 2008 however does feel more like an Suv in terms of size, the long linear squared front and the lengthy rear seats and boot, in comparison to the Puma, which feels narrower and more compact. One last note of an odd detail of the 2008, the rev meter on the analog dashboard of the -active- model was reverse, meaning that when revving up the indicator went counter clockwise wise.
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Relaxation
I was in Tijuana, Mexico when one of these units rolled up to a restaurant that I was sitting in and my jaw dropped; especially, after I found out that it had a 3 cylinder engine.
I'm a huge auto enthusiast and I actually bought a totally awesome, highly functional, highly fuel efficient and low emissions 3 cylinder Daihatsu Boon when I lived in Japan solely because, for an American auto enthusiast, a 3 cylinder car is as exotic as a 16 cylinder car because you just don't encounter them in North America, other than the extremely rare BMW I8 in LA.
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I was in Tijuana, Mexico when one of these units rolled up to a restaurant that I was sitting in and my jaw dropped; especially, after I found out that it had a 3 cylinder engine.
I'm a huge auto enthusiast and I actually bought a totally awesome, highly functional, highly fuel efficient and low emissions 3 cylinder Daihatsu Boon when I lived in Japan solely because, for an American auto enthusiast, a 3 cylinder car is as exotic as a 16 cylinder car because you just don't encounter them in North America, other than the extremely rare BMW I8 in LA.
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Hadhoudtn
This week I saw a 2008 in real life and couldn't stop staring at that beautiful thing. The Renault Captur feels like a joke compared to it.
The last time I stared that much at something it was a beautiful lady with a big tight rear bumper: p
The french are rocking it with their beautiful designs (specially PSA brands) and we definitely need Matt's reviews of the brand new DS4 and the Peugeot 308. Also a review of the low cost brand new Dacia Sandero is needed!
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This week I saw a 2008 in real life and couldn't stop staring at that beautiful thing. The Renault Captur feels like a joke compared to it.
The last time I stared that much at something it was a beautiful lady with a big tight rear bumper: p
The french are rocking it with their beautiful designs (specially PSA brands) and we definitely need Matt's reviews of the brand new DS4 and the Peugeot 308. Also a review of the low cost brand new Dacia Sandero is needed!
reply
kiril
I want to comment about 11. 05 -Comfort: Soaks the bumps like a bigger car. -I went on a test ride last week for this model and I can say that this car is stiff like a rock. Weight only 1. 1 tons. The guy from the dealership also confirmed that because of the weight and the height of the car it needed stiffer suspension to have better stability. I lost the trust in the Mats review after that.
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I want to comment about 11. 05 -Comfort: Soaks the bumps like a bigger car. -I went on a test ride last week for this model and I can say that this car is stiff like a rock. Weight only 1. 1 tons. The guy from the dealership also confirmed that because of the weight and the height of the car it needed stiffer suspension to have better stability. I lost the trust in the Mats review after that.
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Paco
Ive watched this review at least 10 times. I was looking for a new, reliable family car for some time and finally I bought that 2008 (not trough Carwow) 130hp manuel. I paid the car right away and it felt weird to spend so much money at once but I think it is worth it. What Im trying to say is: Mat's reviews are spot on. This vehicle puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Thanks!
reply
Ive watched this review at least 10 times. I was looking for a new, reliable family car for some time and finally I bought that 2008 (not trough Carwow) 130hp manuel. I paid the car right away and it felt weird to spend so much money at once but I think it is worth it. What Im trying to say is: Mat's reviews are spot on. This vehicle puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Thanks!
reply
Coyote
I have owned a 5008 GT for nearly 4 yrs now I'm trading down to the 2008, though that might be the wrong expression I don't regard it as a downgrade we just don't need a car as big. BTW the 5008 hasn't missed a beat since we got it, a really lovely car that I will be sad to see go. I expect the 2008 to be just as good if not better. Buying the 155 GT with a load of extras.
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I have owned a 5008 GT for nearly 4 yrs now I'm trading down to the 2008, though that might be the wrong expression I don't regard it as a downgrade we just don't need a car as big. BTW the 5008 hasn't missed a beat since we got it, a really lovely car that I will be sad to see go. I expect the 2008 to be just as good if not better. Buying the 155 GT with a load of extras.
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NadimAJ
I dunno what it is with this class of mini SUV but they are simply not as roomy as a late 90s or mid 2000s small hatch. My Honda Civic 2005 has a rear flat floor and 3 teenagers get to sit comfortably next to each other. I was so looking forward to buying this but walked out of the showroom after realising how cramped it was in the back. Same goes for the Mokka.
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I dunno what it is with this class of mini SUV but they are simply not as roomy as a late 90s or mid 2000s small hatch. My Honda Civic 2005 has a rear flat floor and 3 teenagers get to sit comfortably next to each other. I was so looking forward to buying this but walked out of the showroom after realising how cramped it was in the back. Same goes for the Mokka.
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Peter
I watched this review and took Matt's advice and bought one. The finish is just not like Peugeot of old its really beautifully made and very solid -more Audi standards than Peugeot amazingly. Driving it feels quite special somehow -more than the sum of parts. Have put all-season tyres on it and it goes through the recent snow without noticing -its a great vehicle!
reply
I watched this review and took Matt's advice and bought one. The finish is just not like Peugeot of old its really beautifully made and very solid -more Audi standards than Peugeot amazingly. Driving it feels quite special somehow -more than the sum of parts. Have put all-season tyres on it and it goes through the recent snow without noticing -its a great vehicle!
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Robert
I have the 155 GT auto with top of the range sound system. It has so many different functions that I'm still finding more 8 months later. The lane assist can be a problem if you don't indicate that you are changing lanes, it will try to keep you in the lane your leaving, so always indicate. It's a great car and sporty. It's beautiful and great to drive.
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I have the 155 GT auto with top of the range sound system. It has so many different functions that I'm still finding more 8 months later. The lane assist can be a problem if you don't indicate that you are changing lanes, it will try to keep you in the lane your leaving, so always indicate. It's a great car and sporty. It's beautiful and great to drive.
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Tee
I hope they fixed the foolishness of not being able to lock the boot while entering the car.
Say, I just put my laptop in the boot and I walk towards the driver door and I nearly sit down, someone can open the rear 5 the door and grab my laptop and run.
That is one dumb thing I noticed with previous version.
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I hope they fixed the foolishness of not being able to lock the boot while entering the car.
Say, I just put my laptop in the boot and I walk towards the driver door and I nearly sit down, someone can open the rear 5 the door and grab my laptop and run.
That is one dumb thing I noticed with previous version.
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