2022 Peugeot 2008: Test drive review

After many challenging years, the Peugeot brand has made a comeback into the Malaysian automotive landscape under new ownership.

Bermaz Auto Alliance, who are also the custodians of Mazda and Kia in Malaysia, have taken Peugeot under their wings with the aim of bringing the brand back to greener pastures and restoring people’s trust in Peugeot.

In case you’re wondering how they are planning to achieve their goals, the first step was to start assembling upcoming Peugeot vehicles locally in Stellantis’ plant in Gurun, Kedah, beginning with the Peugeot 3008, 5008, and the model we’re looking at here – the all-new Peugeot 2008.

During the launch, we were told that the Peugeot 2008 was put through 200,000 kilometres of testing in the diverse local climate and environmental landscape to ensure it meets the needs of customers in South East Asia.

Fast forward a few weeks, we got the opportunity to spend a couple of days with the all-new second-generation Peugeot 2008 to see what it has to offer, and if it can actually give its rivals like the Honda HR-V, Proton X50, and the Toyota Corolla Cross a run for their money.

Overview

Priced at RM126,753 on the road without insurance, the all-new Peugeot 2008 is available in only one Allure variant in Malaysia, which comes with a five-year, 100,000km warranty as well as a three-year, 60,000-km free service maintenance package.

Powering the all-new Peugeot 2008 Allure is an updated version of the PureTech 1.2-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine that was also found in the outgoing 2008. However, the new version here produces 130 hp and 230 Nm of torque which is 20 hp and 25 Nm more than before.

Paired to the engine is an Aisin six-speed automatic gearbox which sends power exclusively to the front wheels.

The list of standard features on the exterior include Full LED Headlights, signature 3-claws lights, 17-inch wheels, twin exhaust pipes, and a two-tone paint job.

Inside, highlights include the 3D Peugeot i-Cockpit, a 3D Quartz Cluster, a 7-inch’ HD touchscreen infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, toggle switches inspired by aircrafts, a 10-inch digital instrument panel, ambient lighting, leather seats, six speakers, two USB ports, and a reverse camera.

The all-new Peugeot 2008 also comes with three driving modes, automatic wipers, keyless entry with push-start ignition, a walk-away lock, as well as a tire pressure monitoring system.

Also featuring the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the new Peugeot 2008 has an extensive list of safety and technology features.

They include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Speed Limit Information and Intelligent Speed Adaption (SLI/ISA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Assist 3 (DAA3), Front and Rear Parking Sensors with Rear, Camera, Active Blind Spot Detection, and Lane Keep Assist (LKA).

Exterior design

In terms of design, the Peugeot 2008 is definitely up there among the best looking models in its segment.

Compared to aging Honda HR-V and the conservative looking Toyota Corolla Cross, the Peugeot 2008 looks much sexier and youthful thanks to features like the funky wheel design and the signature “three claw” headlights.

Complementing the headlights are the LED taillights that look like they were taken straight from a spaceship, the striking front grille, the sleek “2008” emblem, and the two-tone paint job with contrasting bits that make the 2008 look good from any angle you look at it.

It is unfortunate that the test unit here came in white, as it is the least exciting colour compared to the other colours the 2008 comes in. Our favourite is actually the Fusion Orange which was shown during its launch.

In all, what we have here is an SUV that would appeal to more than a certain group of buyers. Be it the ladies, gents, young or old, the Peugeot 2008 has what it takes to turn your head towards it.

Interior

In typical French fashion, there are many quirky but cool features in the new Peugeot 2008, beginning from the 3D Peugeot i-Cockpit which is unlike any other instrument panel out there in the market.

The 12.3-inch high-resolution digital screen which features futuristic graphics is fully customisable, and displays everything the driver needs, within the field of vision. Each configuration features its own animations and transitions that are a quite a feast to the eyes.

And then, there is the 12-inch hexagonal steering wheel which looks super cool and feels sporty when you actually manoeuvre the 2008 along twisty roads.

As cool as it is, we would’ve preferred it if the steering was a couple of inches bigger because it felt like we were in a go-kart at times.

The materials used to make the dashboard and the door trims didn’t feel as plush as we expected them to be, but they certainly look the part thanks to features like the carbon trim and ambient lighting.

As cool as the cabin looks, the Peugeot 2008 is actually quite basic as there is nothing much to fiddle with besides the 3D cockpit. Even the infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt quite basic in terms of the interface.

On the upside, the leather seats provided good level of support but they felt a bit too firm for our liking at times. Besides that, it took the writer more time than usual to find the comfortable sitting position in the driver’s seat.

Once the comfortable driving position was found, things were fine and dandy. In terms of space, the 2008 is ideal for four adults to travel comfortably. However, there will be some shoulder-rubbing if a fifth person gets in.

Driving impression

As mentioned above, finding the comfortable driving position took some time but once we found the sweet spot, the 2008 turned out to be a fun vehicle to drive around town.

The 130 hp and 230 Nm that came from the 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo engine may sound inadequate on paper, but the 2008 was anything but slow or sluggish. Power delivery was seamless during in-town runabouts and also during overtaking.

After spending some time in the city, we decided to throw it around a few corners to see how it performed, and realised that one of the Peugeot 2008’s biggest strength is its handling. In fact, this is where the tiny steering wheel makes the most sense.

If we are to compare it with its rivals, the Peugeot 2008 felt much more agile and planted than the Corolla Cross, the Honda HR-V, and even the Proton X50.

Come to think about it, it is not one bit surprising because the French have always been experts in making hot hatches and cars that handled bloody well.

Conclusion

If we are to describe the Peugeot 2008 in one word, it would definitely be “unique”. While most models in this segment chose to go down the conservative path, the 2008 stands out in many ways.

Firstly, we have the rather bold exterior design that is ideal for the younger crowd or for the older ones who want to feel young.

The interior on the other hand reminds us of a spaceship with the 3D cockpit, the toggle switches on the dashboard, the seat design, and the steering wheel.

As funky as it looks, the 2008 drives pretty well too, making it a uniquely complete product in its own way.

Unfortunately, Peugeot’s biggest challenge in Malaysia now is to gain back the trust of the people who lost faith in the brand along the way.

Realising this, the brand has taken the drastic measure of assembling these cars in Malaysia itself for the local market and to be exported to other countries in the ASEAN region.

This should not only make future Peugeots more ASEAN-friendly, but also easier to get parts as they are being assembled right here.

So, if you’re looking for a compact SUV that stands out from the crowd, you may want to consider the Peugeot 2008.