PEUGEOT have flung the latest generation 2008 SUV into the battle for small family car supremacy, with the trendy French compact offering ravishing good

PEUGEOT have flung the latest generation 2008 SUV into the battle for small family car supremacy, with the trendy French compact offering ravishing good looks. It’s a little bit style over substance though.
That feeling that it’s not quite all it claims to be kicks off with the steering wheel, which never seems to feel right, no matter how you adjust it. Too high and you block your vision to the exceptional i-Cockpit instrument cluster, too low and it’s in your lap.
Starting the car will also have you second guessing how buttons work. No matter how you press it, the 2008 struggles to recognise the key or is just generally slow in nature. The same goes for shutting off the car.
The 2008 does however come packing style inside and out. It looks great, and for the price, it will have you thinking your driving something far more expensive. The interior is fantastic too (steering wheel and start button aside).
Peugeots i-Cockpit works really well, and the design itself is another brilliant mix of shapes and materials that help justify the money youre spending. Storage is a big win for the 2008 too, offering a very handy 434 litres.
Drop the 60/40 split rear seats and you have a fairly impressive 1,467 litres of space to play with. Like a number of its competitors, the boot floor is a falsie, so you can remove it for more space or sling valuables/muddy stuff underneath to keep them separate.
The outside design is pretty bang on too, drawing it’s inspiration from its bigger brothers in the form of the 3008 and 5008, but there is a hint of the ultra sporty 508 in the mix. It feel’s a little bit more macho than its rivals as well.
Peugeot has also ensured that the technology and safety features have been crammed in, with the 2008 offering six airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, forward AEB, lane departure warning and lane keep assist.
The forward AEB works between 10km/h and 180km/h, with daytime pedestrian detection up to 60km/h and cyclist detection up to 80km/h. None of the 2008 models have rear cross traffic alert though, which is a little disappointing.
The shiny new GT Sport variant does add adaptive cruise control, auto high-beam, blind spot monitoring and lane positioning assist though. The Allure has a real minimalist feel, with many of the buttons incorporated into the infotainment unit. It’s a move we like.
Peugeot has fitted a 7.0-inch touchscreen to the 2008, with a 6-speaker sound system, Dab+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The same screen also controls the air-conditioning, satellite navigation and a host of other things.
It feels a little clunky, if we’re being honest (and we always are), but we get the idea of what the French car maker was trying to achieve. It’s just the execution that’s slightly sketchy.
Under the bonnet is a Puretech 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 96kW and 230Nm. Power reaches the front wheels through an Aisin six-speed automatic. It offers good fuel economy (at 6.6-litres/100km), and provides adequate power.
It is loud though, under acceleration, which is surprising, given how focused most brands are on limiting noise from their powerplants. Maybe with a little more sound deadening or engine refinement, the 2008 would be an even nicer place to be, than it already is.
Driving this small SUV is truly effortless. Steering, starting, stopping and general driving all do what they should do, and all very nicely. Priced from $38,952 (drive away) the 2021 Peugeot 2008 Allure will suit someone who wants a damn good looking small SUV.
It’s available in six colours, including Artense Grey, Bianca White, Elixir Red, Onyx Black, Platinum Grey and Vertigo Blue.
Our test vehicle was provided by Peugeot Australia. To find out more about the 2021 Peugeot 2008 Allure, contact your local Peugeot dealer.