Peugeot e-2008: A necessary update, handled with caution

A necessary update, but handled very carefully. After all, “you don’t change a winning team…”

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We suspect refreshing a model like the Peugeot e-2008 is anything but straightforward. On the one hand, the brand wants to roll out its latest updates across the range. On the other, the Peugeot 2008 is its best-selling model in a number of markets - including ours - which leaves little room for any truly “risky” decisions.

What that means in practice is that the Peugeot e-2008 doesn’t look radically different from the car it is about to replace. In fact, the biggest changes are the ones you can’t see at a glance - as we’ll explain further on.

A refreshed look

Visually, you can spot the “new” Peugeot e-2008 through the revised front grille and bumper design, updated light clusters, and a new front lighting signature.

In the GT version we drove, the grille now features more vertical lines, finished in the same colour as the bodywork. The “2008” badge also looks more contemporary and has moved from the bonnet down to the top edge of the front grille.

Where the current model places three vertical bars inside the headlights - a nod to the lion’s claw - that motif has now shifted down into the bumper. It replaces the previous single line that the brand linked to the feline’s fangs. Inside the headlamp units themselves, the graphic has been updated with a horizontal element that helps give the car a sportier appearance.

At the rear of the Peugeot e-2008, the differences versus the outgoing version are more subtle. The lion emblem has been removed, leaving that area blank, while the “Peugeot” lettering is wider and more prominent. The same approach has been applied to the model designation.

The internal layout of the rear lights has changed too, although it still uses three elements on each side - now arranged horizontally rather than in the current vertical “claw” style.

Finally, along the side profile, the updated Peugeot e-2008 is only really distinguished by the brand’s new logo at the centre of the wheels and the redesigned lowercase “e” that identifies the 100% electric version.

Which Peugeot e-2008 is this?

That almost feels like the question Peugeot is asking the moment you step inside, because you practically need a cheat sheet to pick out what’s different. The clearest new feature is the gearbox control, which is now a selector rather than the previous lever.

The i-Cockpit remains one of Peugeot’s defining traits and it hasn’t been altered. The steering wheel is still very compact and somewhat squared-off rather than fully round, though in this GT trim it includes a more sporty grip.

Ahead of that, the three-dimensional instrument display (on the GT) stays in place, as does the 10” central screen. The difference is that all 2008 versions now get this setup, replacing the old arrangement where some trims made do with a 7” display. On top of that, the screen’s resolution has been improved. Beneath it, the familiar “piano” style keys have been retained.

To round off the gadgetry, it’s also worth noting that the parking cameras now offer better resolution, there are more USB ports on board, and the wireless smartphone charger is more powerful.

To be perfect, though - given that it sits in a compartment that can be closed - it really ought to be cooled as well, so the phone doesn’t heat up as much. Consider that a tip, Peugeot.

One area where the Peugeot e-2008 hasn’t changed - and in this case, that’s a good thing - is cabin space. It remains notably generous, including for passengers in the rear seats. And further back, we still have the same 405 litres of boot capacity - enough for most day-to-day needs.

Changes you can’t see, but you can feel

After a few kilometres behind the wheel of the Peugeot e-2008, it became clear there’s more going on than the styling revisions we mentioned earlier.

Even when the road surface isn’t helping, the way the suspension “lands” feels noticeably more settled and accurate. The body movements, chassis responses, and even the noises you perceive inside all suggest that this is one of the areas where the e-2008 has progressed the most.

The calm atmosphere on board - largely thanks to the quietness of this 100% electric version - combined with the traffic we encountered around Marbella (Spain), led us into a more relaxed driving style.

As a result, even with a few runs along mountain roads, we reached our destination with an average of 14,6 kWh/100 km after covering 236 km.

Here, we should highlight the responsiveness of the Peugeot e-2008’s new 115 kW (156 cv) motor. It delivers a strong level of performance while still making it easy to drive smoothly and economically.

What’s more, choosing this more powerful option also brings a 54 kWh battery - rather than the 50 kWh unit fitted to the 100 kW (136 cv) version - which now enables a maximum combined-cycle range above 400 km.

Available to order now

The “new” Peugeot e-2008 with the more powerful motor can already be ordered in the domestic market, with prices starting at 40 690 euros for the Active version. For the GT equipment level - the one we tested - the base price is 44 440 euros.

The first units are expected to begin arriving in Portugal next August.

The existing version, fitted with the 100 kW (136 cv) electric motor, also adopts the range’s new look and continues to be offered with the same Active, Allure and GT equipment levels.

In price terms, it sits exactly one thousand euros below the more powerful option, regardless of trim level.

A lot for not much?

Even if it doesn’t look especially long on paper, the list of upgrades for this new Peugeot e-2008 is still fairly substantial. And given this is one of the market’s most sought-after models, any change that makes it better is bound to be welcome.

On our drive, the impression we came away with is that the new e-2008 feels more polished, and that Peugeot has clearly spent time smoothing out the rough edges of the model it replaces.

Adding a new, more powerful motor and a battery that offers greater range - for a difference of one thousand euros - comes across as an offer that’s hard to ignore.

Verdict