The popular small crossover has an improved EV range but the sprightly petrol model proves to be more fun to drive
The changes to this latest iteration are hard to miss: Peugeot is going big and bold with its front nose these days. Photograph: Matthew HowellIt’s incredible how quickly we forget. Automatics are all the rage these days, accounting for 64 per cent of new car sales. Thanks to the popularity of hybrids and the advent of electric cars, the Irish motorist’s left foot has a lot less to do these days.
The changes to this latest iteration are hard to miss: Peugeot is going big and bold with its front nose these days, with a bold look for the new grille and the brand’s new trademark three-bar light signature with vertical LED strips. It’s meant to give the car some menace, but it looks like it got mauled by the angry lion that now features in the brand’s logo.
There are some who complain that they can’t find the right driving position, either leaving the wheel obstructing the dials or sitting upright above the wheel. Personally, I am a fan of the small wheel set-up, as it gives the driver a greater sense of engagement with the car. Jumping out of the 2008 after a week and getting into an MG4, the latter hatchback felt like the steering wheel had been lifted from a HGV.
If you do opt for EV, the claimed range is 406km, thanks to a few weight-savings in the newest version. In a cross-country trip we found that closer to 340km, with a consumption figure coming in at 15.6KWh/100km for most of our trips.As with all EVs, it’s incredibly easy to drive, quiet in the cabin and decently quick, though it lacks the acceleration punch of many other EVs.
After clocking up substantial mileage in both versions, my preference for driving pleasure would be the petrol version. It feels lighter, nimbler and more fun than the EV, along with being better priced. If your trips are merely short spurts around the suburbs and you want to embrace the leap to electric then the 2008 will not disappoint.