New Peugeot E-2008 2023 facelift review

Verdict

Peugeot has given its popular 2008 range a nip and tuck that goes more than skin deep. While ICE and electric versions benefit from improved safety and infotainment, it’s the E-2008’s increased range that represents the largest, most impressive change. It’s more expensive than some rivals, but it feels it. The so-so chassis and rear-seat space are the main things that keep it from challenging the class leaders.

The 2008 has become one of Peugeot’s greatest success stories of recent years. Since it was released in 2019, over 700,000 have been produced, and in 2021 it was the best-selling small SUV in Europe.

Peugeot isn’t simply settling on a job well done, however, because four years into its life, the 2008 has received an update – and the most significant changes come to the all-electric E-2008 we’re driving here.

The full line-up has been given a new look, with the biggest overhaul at the front. There’s a new grille design that gets vertical inserts, while extra trim on its outer edges increases the impression of width and blends more neatly with the lights. These also feature a new ‘triple claw’ signature, which is repeated in the tail-lights.

One of our biggest criticisms of the E-2008 has been its in-car tech, but the revised model gets an all-new infotainment system. The 10-inch screen features a new, cleaner menu structure with customisable widgets to prioritise shortcuts for frequently used features. It looks even sharper than before, but more importantly, it’s more responsive and easier to figure out. It still lacks physical climate controls, though, and the temperature settings aren’t a permanent fixture on the screen either. Apart from some new trim, the rest of the cabin is largely unchanged, as is the roomy 434-litre boot.

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The largest changes can be found within the updated E-2008’s powertrain. As before, a single motor sits up front, but with 154bhp, it makes 20bhp more than its predecessor. Battery size is up from 50kWh to 54kWh, and in conjunction with other software tweaks, this increases the car’s claimed range from 214 to 250 miles. Despite its extra energy, the battery weighs 5kg less than the old pack, too.

The power you can access depends on the driving mode you choose, with the full 154bhp coming in Sport mode; the 9.1-second 0-62mph time is almost identical to its predecessor’s. That’s a little slower than some rivals, but it’s more than quick enough for most driving. We found we left the car in Sport, where its throttle response felt sharpest and most natural – although that means missing out on the longer range.

Less natural is the steering, which has an odd, overly heavy weighting around the straight ahead. The E-2008 is competent rather than outstanding through corners, and the ride is slightly on the firm side, but at low speed it’s a little less fidgety than rivals such as the Hyundai Kona. We’d also like stronger brake regen; even in ‘B’ mode, the strongest of the two available, the deceleration is pretty weak.

The E-2008 can’t quite manage to match the Kona’s range, however, but an indicated 248 miles with 100 per cent charge is a significant improvement over the old car.

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Alongside the performance, there are other similarities to its predecessor, because the 100kW charging rate is the same as before, and allows for a 10-80 per cent top-up in 30 mins. For home charging, a 7.4kW on-board charger is standard, while a quicker 11kW system is a £360 option.

Equipment levels are strong on all three trim levels. The base Active model gets a 10-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors, cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Allure adds front parking sensors, a second USB port, an adjustable boot floor, privacy glass, and a more effective emergency braking system that recognises pedestrians and cyclists.

GT models get front-seat Isofix mounts, a 3D digital dash, full keyless go, a reversing camera, interior ambient lighting, adaptive LED headlights and wireless smartphone charging. There will also be 100 First Edition cars available, all of which come in one of two new paint colours and gain electrically adjustable front seats, a connected infotainment set-up and 11kW charging.

Prices start from £36,500 – £1,505 more than a base Kona, which has similar power and slightly less range – and rise to £41,750. This undercuts the Kona Ultimate by £1,345, but that Hyundai has an extra 61bhp and offers 69 miles more range.