PEUGEOT 2008
BEST USED SMALL SUV OUR PICK 2014 (14) 1.2 VTI Access, 18,718, miles, £8,690
THERE’S a wide range of choice in the small SUV and crossover class, but our used favourite delivers a decent mix of practicality, quality and low running costs. As its name suggests, the Peugeot 2008 is the sister car to the 208 supermini, and in essence it’s a stylish 4x4-style replacement for the 207 SW estate that preceded it.
Prices start from around £7,500 for one of the first 2013 cars in entry-level Access or Access+ trim, but you don’t have to spend much more to get into a well specced Allure model. At the top of the range, the Feline model came in Calima Ambience or Mistral Ambience variants with slightly different trims, but both are luxuriously equipped. There’s a 360-litre boot and a surprising amount of cabin space, too.
Power comes from a range of small but potent engines, starting with the three-cylinder 1.2 VTI petrol, while 1.4 and 1.6 HDI diesels were initially offered. Later, the range narrowed to just the 1.6 HDI in three power outputs, and the least powerful has a claimed economy figure of 76.3mpg. Post facelift, Feline trim was replaced by GT Line, although equipment remained largely unchanged. Whichever model you choose, you’ll get an efficient front-wheel-drive platform. In fact, 2008 owners who took part in our Driver Power survey praised the car’s low running costs, as well as its comfort and build quality – all highlights which placed the car 48th in the ranking.
There’s no four-wheel-drive variant, but top-spec models do get Peugeot’s Grip Control system. This adds all-season tyres and a dial on the centre console that allows you to select different traction control modes to suit the weather. While the system isn’t quite as effective as four-wheel drive, it does at least offer extra ability when road conditions are poor.
Peugeot’s Grip Control system substitutes 4WD with all-season tyres and switchable traction control “THE 2008 is a great used buy, as long as you can live with the driving position. Peugeot has designed the dash so that the instruments are visible over the small steering wheel, not through it, so most people will need to move the wheel into their lap to see them. It can feel a bit awkward at first, but you soon get used to it.”