The Peugeot 2008 is offered with an engine line-up of that comprises 1.2-litre petrols and 1.6-litre diesels, so there's something to suit most tastes.
Most, however, will probably sway towards the diesel units thanks to their headline-grabbing CO2 and fuel economy figures. The 1.6-litre e-HDi is offered in, 74bhp, 99bhp and 118bhp outputs, the first two are offered with a five speed manual, the latter a six-speed manual.
Judging by our previous experience of its direct rivals, the 1.6 e-HDi 118 variant of the 2008 offers a relatively impressive mix of virtues.
Under acceleration the Peugeot 2008 feels quite sprightly, with a 0-60mph time of 10.7sec. The 138bhp Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI we tested was no quicker and the Mini Countryman Cooper D tested slightly slower.
There’s the off-boost hesitancy that’s often present in small turbodiesels, but it’s no problem to drive around once you’re rolling – particularly since the engine is quite refined at fairly high crank speeds – and it's much more punchy than the 1.2-litre petrol.
The manual gearchange has surprising definition and positivity, while the ratios are well spaced and uncompromised by any shortening for off-road use.
Peugeot's 99bhp 1.6-litre e-HDi engine certainly doesn’t have the pull or acceleration we enjoyed in the higher-power 118bhp diesel, but it’s competent enough. Acceleration is clean and mid-range torque is well supplied between 1750-3000rpm.
