2023 Peugeot e-2008 review

Get behind the wheel of a Peugeot and it can sometimes seem as though the design team has never driven a car built by a rival manufacturer. This can result in some truly unique and innovative design, and also some strange, quirky oversights – often in the same vehicle.

The e-2008 – Peugeot’s offering in the increasingly competitive small electric SUV segment – is no different. Pursuing design flair and polished driving dynamics over battery capacity and driving range, the e-2008 is a more cosmopolitan option for owners wanting an electric around-towner.

Only available in top-spec GT trim, the e-2008 starts from $59,990 – a jump of $20k on the petrol-powered 2008 with which it shares a platform – and that gives it flagship status among small Peugeot SUVs.

For the sizeable cost premium, the e-2008 gets a 50kWh battery pack good for 100kW and 260Nm from a single electric motor driving the front wheels, and a claimed driving range of 328km on the WLTP test cycle – realistic given our 16.3kWh/100km consumption during testing.

While its on-paper figures are lacklustre and fall behind similarly priced rivals, the e-2008 delivers elsewhere. Existing only in GT trim, the e-2008 gets a comprehensive catalogue of tech and safety thrown its way, making it well – or at least competitively – specified for its price point.

Notable mentions include a powered driver’s seat with massage function, autonomous emergency braking with lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and smartphone compatibility.

Styling is gorgeous inside and out, with the GT-spec trimmings giving the model additional flair. Materials and build quality make for an interior deserving of its price tag but, in Peugeot fashion, there are some questionable design cues, such as soft-touch materials being used on the dash in favour of door handles.

Most operations are performed on a well-integrated centre 10-inch touchscreen, with majority of the toggle switches and buttons below dedicated to air conditioning controls that probably shouldn’t have taken precedence over other shortcuts, such as entertainment controls, which are found on the steering wheel or screen. The e-2008 becomes a bit driver-centric in that respect.

On that: the driving position is bizarre, with the pedals feeling pushed too far into the cabin.

​​Correct seat adjustment will likely have you leaning forward out of the seat to use the touchscreen and other controls. However, this issue is not enough to detract from what is a sublime ride. Cabin ambience and damping are excellent, while the e-2008’s chassis offers unexpected composure in turns.

A trade-off for this sportiness, however, is lack of compliance at the limit, with the e-2008 suddenly transitioning from smoothness to banging thuds at a certain point. Given the state of some inner-city roads, this seems an odd engineering priority for an electric SUV.

Meagre outputs from the single electric motor don’t translate to sluggishness on the road, though, with the e-2008 coming on and off throttle in a responsive and refined way, further adding to driving enjoyment.

The 2023 Peugeot e-2008 at a glance

The e-2008 will likely be an emotional purchase rather than a pragmatic one. Although electric, the e-2008 is still quintessentially Peugeot, and entries like it are important for the market. By

adding character and genuinely fun driving dynamics, a car such as this helps ensure EVs aren’t just Microsoft Excel spreadsheets on wheels.

Pros: Gorgeous styling; fun driving experience; breaks the mould

Cons: Rivals are better value; odd ergonomics; driver-centric controls