Peugeot's 2008 has grown in size and stature for its second generation. Or to put it in (possibly) simpler terms, the 4,158mm-long original 2008 was closer in dimensions to the Kia Stonic, whereas the 4,300mm-long new 2008 is now nearer in size to the Kia Niro (or Toyota C-HR). At 30mm wider, but only 7mm lower, and with a 112mm longer wheelbase, it also feels roomier inside for all passengers, while the boot boasts 74 litres more luggage space (434 versus 360) and with rear seats folded down, expands
to 1,467 litres. 

A new look

Design-wise the new 2008 sports the more angular fancy-fang lights and triple LED headlamp accents from the new 208, plus the option of a 10in 3D I-Cockpit infotainment system inside. The central colour screen is capacitive, so you can swipe and pinch the sat-nav's map, while the driver display uses 'layered' hologram technology, improving readability and (Peugeot says) driver reaction times. The car will also be offered with a pure electric drivetrain for the first time from April 2020, with a 136hp motor and a 50kWh battery good for 193 miles (see our separate story on that car next month, closer to its launch).

Meanwhile, according to Peugeot, 85-90% of 2008 mk2 sales will be petrol, with 10% full-electric and only up to 5% diesel. Unsurprisingly then, the UK operation is offering three versions of the 1.2-litre petrol unit (100, 130 and 155hp) and just one diesel (a 100hp 1.5). At the early launch only one petrol engine was available to drive - the top-end 155hp 1.2-litre, which itself is only available in top GT trim in the UK - so the potential for a skewed opinion was high.

Having said that, stepping inside, the new 2008 does feel smart, and smartly familiar, if you have seen the new 208. 

The steering wheel is flat-topped and bottomed, and small enough to make manoeuvring easy and quite fun, even if the steering wheel-mounted paddles for the eight-speed auto felt a little clicky and insubstantial.

Roaring into action

The 155hp unit revs away happily, but the reasonable progress possible (0-62mph in 8.2 seconds) never quite justified the accompanying engine roar.

It is not super-noisy and far from a deal-breaker, but as the 155hp unit posts 41.7-46.6mpg and 113-121g/km of CO2 - with all the published figures from the other powertrains beating it - it looks set to be a niche model, for fleets at least.

Diesel might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the 100hp 1.5 at least offers 54.4-62.7mpg and 96-102g/km of CO2 (and of course there is the EV option too).

Safety is strong, with useful emergency brake assistance as standard and driver attention warning too. The latest version of the 3D I-Cockpit - where key information appears to float in front of less important details - really feels natural to view and far from a gimmick; find it on second-tier Allure trim and upwards.