Peugeot 2008 Crossover Active 1.6 e-HDi Stop and Start 5dr Car Review - June 2013

The 92bhp, 1.6-litre diesel engine in the Peugeot 2008 Active 1.6 e-HDi Stop and Start is capable of of a top speed of 113mph, and has a 0-62mph time of 12.8 seconds. The engine produces 169lb-ft of torque at 1750rpm which means the car is much more comfortable with taking on longer journeys than the gutless petrol powered versions. The steering is very light, and ensures the Peugeot 2008 is a very manoeuvrable car around town, but the steering does start to feel less connected on higher speed cornering, during which the rear suspension does tend to become a bit choppy too. The cabin and interior finish has a premium feel to it and the elevated driving position is excellent, but a small steering wheel which you have to look over to see the dials can be a pain.

The Active trim level found in the Peugeot 2008 Active 1.6 e-HDi Stop and Start is the next one up from the entry level Access+. This trim level sees the car come as standard with power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, immobiliser, bluetooth, and Mp3 connectivity. Further options are available at extra cost, including satellite navigation for £400, a rear parking sensor for £370, and metallic paint for £495. The Peugeot 2008 is based on the 208 supermini, and it wear the larger MPV body style well. The new design provides an elevated driving position without appearing top heavy, as well as more passenger and luggage space.

As a brand new model on the European market, the Peugeot 2008 Crossover is still something of an unknown quantity, but does include as standard driver, passenger, a front side airbags, as well as driver aids stability control, and a 3-year, 60,000-mile manufacturers warranty. Where the Peugeot 2008 does impress is cabin space, with rear head and legroom especially favourable compared to its rivals. There is 360-litres of boot space too, which is flexible thanks to a low boot sill and fold flat rear seats. To put it into perspective, that’s over 100-litres more boot capacity with the seats up than a Nissan Juke, but still short of that found in a Skoda Yeti.

The 2008 Crossover Active 1.6 e-HDi Stop and Starts comes with a price tag of £15,845, which puts it firmly in the middle of the model’s price range. Compared to petrol-powered versions, the diesel-powered 2008 Crossover Active 1.6 e-HDi Stop and Start has favourable running costs, and it will return a combined 70.6 mpg. It is greener than the entry level petrol too, with 103g/km of CO2 emissions seeing it fall into Road Tax Band B. However, spend another £600 and you can have the 6-speed manual version with electronic gear control, which reduces running costs further and pulls that CO2 emissions rate down below the magic 100g/km mark. The 2008 is an unknown quantity on the used market, but things like equipment level, performance and running costs count. The 2008 Active 1.6 e-HDi Stop and Start has a decent level of trim, and that all-important flexible diesel engine, but it still isn’t the pick of the range.