Peugeot 2008 1.6 eHDi

Peugeot knows a thing or two about making cars, after all they've been around for about 130 years. The latest offerings now include a range of stylish SUVs, with an added "zero" in their model names. The 208 hatchback becomes the 2008, and the 508, is the 5008 in SUV guise. There's also a 4008 that slots in between those two.
On test this week is the 2008 1.6 eHDi.
Based on the sweetly handling 208 platform, the 2008 is a gem when the going gets twisty.
It is very sure footed and easy to punt through the most demanding corners.
The dinky sized steering wheel from the 208, seems too small initially, but provides good feel on the open road and when manoevering in town. My only quibble here is that it sits too low in your lap even on its uppermost setting.
The 2008 shines on the open road, but you'll notice some tyre noise.
I felt there should have been a sixth ratio in the manual gearbox for more relaxed cruising. At 100 kph in fifth gear, the engine is turning over at around 2,500 rpm. It's redlined at 4,500. That's not the only gear ratio issue.Fourth gear is fine in the 'burbs at sixty kilometres an hour or over, but if speed drops slightly, to 55 or just under that, the engine starts to struggle and third is a better option. 
Under acceleration, the 68 kw, 230 nm turbo diesel seems noisier than others in the Peugeot range, but quietens at speed. 
Ride comfort around town is about average, but a little on the firm side.

The 2008 is one of the most frugal cars you can buy. I averaged about 4 litres per 100 kilometres in mainly urban driving. That equates to more than a thousand kilometres from  its 50 litre tank. On the open road, expect an astonishing 3 litres per hundred ks and more than 1300 kilometres, before having to refuel. The 2008 has an engine stop /start fuel saving feature. The motor cuts out when the gear lever is in neutral, firing up again when first gear is selected.
In the crowded small SUV market that includes the KIA Sportage, the Barina based Holden Trax, Suzuki Sx4, Nissan Juke and Skoda Yeti, making your product stand out from the pack can be difficult. Peugeot has done a good job in the 2008's styling department.
Not too outlandish, but just different enough to appeal to those who like a dash of European design. The 2008 has a fixed glass roof, with an electric roller blind for hot days.

At night, the glass roof  is highlighted around the edges with a pale blue ambient lighting strip, similar to that found on the Hyundai Veloster. It's certainly a point of difference, as are roof rails accentuating the top of the 2008, uniquely styled "boomerang" LED taillights, daytime running lights, and chromed folding wing mirrors. 

Snazzy alloys complete the look. Heated, comfortable and supportive leather seats were welcome. The reversing camera screen appears in the left hand side of the rear vision mirror.

The large central dashboard display screen is intuitive and contains all sorts of vehicle information including sat nav and audio. The 2008 is two wheel drive only, but comes with five traction settings, standard, snow,off road,sand and ESP off.

The handbrake lever is a tad unusual. It's a flat leather bound pad you rest your palm on, lifting to engage it as normal, with the release mechanism operated by your fingertips.
I found the brake pedal had a strangely wooden feel to it. The brakes work well, it's just that they don't feel as nuanced as others. 
Even though its based on the 208, interior head and legroom is substantial, and there's a large cargo area .

There's no keyless entry and start on the 2008, just a regular key.
The Peugeot 2008 1.6 eHDi costs around 31K and is definitely worth a test drive.
There are also cheaper petrol variants, a 1.6 and 1.2 litre, that I will report on in the New Year.
To all those who have visited my site in the past 12 months and new readers, thank you and Merry Christmas.
See you for another big year in 2014!

Peugeot 2008 UPDATE January 5th 2014.......

Just  driven the 1.6 litre petrol powered 2008 Active, and it's very good. The petrol engine is a smooth,  spirited device that accelerates rapidly to its 6,ooo rpm redline with a nice mechanical snarl from under the bonnet. While not as frugal as the diesel, it still returns excellent economy and has a decent amount of torque as well .
Fifth gear will still drive you away without any drivetrain snatch or stuttering, from just under fifty kilometres an hour. It's an engine you won't even notice is running at idle, unless you check the tachometer. The 2008 Active petrol, doesn't have the idle stop/start engine feature of the diesel. Style-wise, different alloys to the Allure set the two apart.
Peter Sellen