Peugeot 2008 GT Sport SUV 2021 Review

Peugeot 2008 released in early 2021 is an urban style SUV that brings to the premium segment a difference in style and philosophy from the usual offerings.

There are two models and two engine options and we are testing the top spec GT Sport.

Peugeot 2008 GT Sport Exterior

First up it looks beautiful. Quite possibly the best looking premium SUV in the segment.

The French designers have outdone themselves. Everywhere I drove it I had people comment on just how good it looks. The bonnet seems to flow into the grill like an edgeless pool.

The compact (at 4.3m) design sees a bold grill with lower air dams, stunning 3 claw design, adaptive LED headlights with Peugeot Smartbeam Assist, automatic on and high beam functionality. Lower ‘Sabre Tooth’ LED DRLs and front cornering fog lights complete the picture.

The lighting, both low beam and high beam is excellent.

Profile sees minimal rear overhang and slight frontal overhang over the 18 inch alloy wheels and 215/55 R18 tyres. The upswept rear side panel and window fuses the SUV, Hatchback, Wagon mix.

Black highlights on roof, roof bars, wheel arches, around the windows, external mirrors and other areas is a feature. An opening panoramic glass roof, which adds to the overall feeling of openness and light, is optional for GT Sport at $1,990.

From the rear the black spoiler, twin chrome tail pipes and 3-claw rear lights continue the stylish theme.

2008 GT Sport receives 7 colours: Orange Fusion (Free of cost), Pearl White, Onyx Black, Artense Grey, Platinium Grey, Elixir Red and Vertigo Blue

Peugeot 2008 GT Sport What is it like inside?  

The stylish theme continues once inside.

You seat yourself on comfortable  Nappa leather seats with electronic adjustment and lumbar support and massage function for the driver. Unfortunately the passenger gets lumbar adjustment but manual everything else. Both seats get heaters that are warm rather than hot.

In front of the driver is a small flat bottomed multi-function, sports leather steering wheel, which fits perfectly in the hands and also sits below the latest generation 10 inch 3D i-Cockpit. This rivals the Audi virtual cockpit for functionality and configurability, but trumps it for visual effects. It’s stunning.

Drivers can choose between six individual instrument panel modes on the new 3D i-Cockpit^® layout.

The on demand fuel usage that pops up at the press of a button at the end of the wiper stalk is a cool feature.

I’ve never been a real fan of the cruise control stalk that Peugeot has, it works well enough but for new drivers you can’t see it behind the steering wheel and it takes a little while to get used to. But if you were the owner that wouldn’t be an issue.

A couple of highlights are the very well-lit vanity mirrors, walk away locking for the doors and the surround reverse camera.

Between the seats there is a small, soft touch centre console bin, twin cup holders, on the smaller size and a beautifully designed transmission lever. Beside that is the electronic park brake and the controls for the drive mode.

A small tray lies in front which is a wireless charging station for smart phones. Above there is an enclosed tray as well. Flanking the tray are two USB ports, one older and one for the newer style USB-C.

The central stack is a combination of throwback piano key style levers and touch controls for the 10 inch touch screen. Very functional, practical and stylish as well as orientated towards the driver in a cockpit fashion.

The touch screen, again oriented towards the driver, has an easy to use feel, with apple car Play and Android Auto connectivity as well as 3D navigation with i-Cockpit^® integration functionality. A lot of the A/C and other controls are also part of the screen UI. It also houses the surround reversing camera. The system, with TomTom^® navigation, features full mapping as well as voice recognition for navigation, radio and telephone functions.

As regular readers know I am larger than the average bear but there is a huge amount of head room, even with the optional moon roof, as well as enough leg and knee room. I felt comfortable on longer drives.

One product of long legs however is that any passenger behind me would have to be very short with skinny legs as there isn’t much leg room for them.

I would hazard a guess that for the most part there would only be two occupants so rear leg room wouldn’t be an issue and it’s no different to others in the segment. The rear seats are softly padded and very comfortable with adequate room for normal sized individuals, Unusually there is no pull down arm rest with cup holder between the rear seats.

As a general comment the interior exudes a luxurious and comfortable ambience, enhanced by the soft feel leather touches, trim highlights and the choice of eight different LED mood lighting.

The spacious boot volume is 434 litres with the back seat raised, a modular boot floor which can be positioned at either of two levels, the upper position giving secure storage space below and ensuring a level load bay when the seats are folded. Folding the rear seats increases that to 1,467 litres. Unfortunately there isn’t an automatic tailgate.

What Features does the Peugeot 2008 GT Sport have?

The GT Sport comes well equipped with comfort and functional features. It’s the little things that add to the luxury feel.

• Automatic climate-control air conditioning
• Automatic Parking Assist
• Electric Parking Brake
• Power-operated and heated exterior mirrors with power folding operation
• Heated rear windscreen and wiper blade
• Keyless entry
• Proximity lock and unlock
• Push button start
• Electric parking brake
• Rear privacy glass
• Charcoal pollen filter
• Rear air vents
• Rear coat hooks (2)
• Frameless auto-dimming interior rear view mirror
• Electric, heated and power folding door mirrors
• Rear windscreen wiper reverse gear automatic activation
• Reversing camera: colour with 180° surround monitoring
• Single press front and rear electric windows with pinch protection
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Park Assist (hands off, feet on) Auto wipers
• Puddle lights
• Follow me home lights
• Six-speaker AM/FM/MP3/DAB+ audio
• Bluetooth^® connectivity for MirrorScreen^®, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto^® connectivity
• Smartphone docking cradle, Smartphone wireless charging plate (for compatible devices)
• Voice recognition for radio, navigation and telephone
• 12-volt socket (1) front
• Two front USB sockets (1 x USB-C), Two rear USB sockets

Peugeot 2008 GT Sport Engine and Drivetrain:

The Peugeot 2008 SUV also comes with the latest development of Peugeot’s four time Engine of the Year Award-winning PureTech powerplant. The Euro 6-compliant 1.2-litre, turbocharged, three-cylinder engine provides power of 114kW @ 5,500rpm and torque of 240Nm @ a handy 1,750rpm. The key feature here is that about 95% of that torque comes in around 1,500rpm.

This drives the front wheels through an 8 Speed Sports automatic with three drive mode select. The three modes are Sport, Normal and Eco. The 2008 GT will run from 0-100kmh in 8/7 seconds and top out at 213kmh.

Economy is an ADR figure of 6.1L/100K. On our drive we averaged an overall figure of 7.5L/100K which is actually pretty good.

Park Assist provides direct control over the steering system in parking situations.

Peugeot 2008 SUV is built on the latest generation of Peugeot’s new and efficient Common Modular Platform (CMP), with independent pseudo-MacPherson strut design with coil springs, telescopic, gas-filled dampers and an anti-roll bar for the front of the car.

At the rear a torsion bar located by coil springs and hydraulic double-acting dampers serves as a deformable crossmember to ensure a smooth ride while delivering excellent roadholding, at the same time giving the all-new Peugeot 2008 SUV the ability to cope with a cargo area laden for weekend adventures.  GT Sport has 302mm ventilated front discs and 249mm diameter solid rear discs.

What is the 2008 GT Sport like to drive?

The word FUN comes to mind.

Right from the start the driver engagement is excellent. The sports steering wheel provides direct feedback and response. Steering is well weighted and the 2008 has a tight turning circle of just 10.4m

The raspy exhaust provides aural delight and matches the zippy nature of the engine.

The delivery of almost full torque at 1,500rpm means that the engine is both responsive and frugal, depending on driving conditions.

The suspension is firm and responsive and the wheel at each corner design means the compact 2008 corners smoothly.

It is not fast, in the same way that the Audi SQ2 is, more like the Q2 35 TFSI and exhibits similar driving dynamics.

Peugeot 2008 GT Sport safety Features:

• Airbags
  • Driver and front passenger
  • Front side
  • Front and rear curtain
• Active Safety Brake System (ASBS),
• Anti-Lock Braking System
• Active Blind Spot Detection (ABSD) with steering correction
• Autonomous Emergency Brake with low-light cyclist and pedestrian detection
• Driver Attention Alert System (DAAS),
• Distance Warning Alert
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Positioning Assist (LPA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Peugeot Smart Beam Assistance (auto highbeam)
• Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation,
• Road Sign Recognition and Recommendation,
• Tyre pressure sensors
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Automatic door locking (from start-off)
• Automatic hazard light activation on heavy brake application
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function
• Visio Park and Park Assist
• Outside temperature indicator with ice warning
• ISOFIX rear seat child safety seat fittings (2)
• Single-press electric front and rear windows with pinch protection

Warranty

All-new Peugeot 2008 comes with Peugeot’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five-year Service Price Promise program.

Peugeot 2008 GT Sport final thoughts:

Peugeot’s all new 2008 GT Sport is a surprising little package.

With stunning design, it brings true French flair to the smaller premium urban SUV segment.

Well equipped, it costs much less than equivalent SUVs from its competitors. The segment leader in driving dynamics is the Audi Q2 35 TFSI and I’ll be keen to drive them back to back to see if there is any difference between the Audi and the Peugeot.

When compared to the smaller premium SUVs the Peugeot 2008 GT Sport actually represents pretty good value.

Amongst many positive attributes, possibly the best is the constant raspy exhaust note.

Good

• Raspy exhaust note
• Driving dynamics
• Standard features

Not so good

• Manual adjustable front passenger seat
• No Advanced Grip control
• No full size spare tyre

Also Look At

• BMW X1sDrive 18i
• Lexus UX200 Sport Luxury
• Audi Q2 35 TFSI
• Mercedes-Benz GLA200

*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.