Following the recent announcement of the e-208, Peugeot has followed up with the launch of its second all-electric model; the e-2008 compact SUV. Sharing much in common with its lower-slung counterpart, the Peugeot e-2008 brings with it a sharp new look and improvements in tech, comfort and driving dynamics.

Power, performance and charging

If you've read our stories on the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa-e then the following specs will be pretty familiar to you as the e-2008 shares this common platform. However, with its slight weight and size penalty, it does lose out in some areas compared to its B-segment counterparts.

Firstly, the new e-2008 gets the same drivetrain – which is by no means a bad thing given the numbers we've seen for the e-208 hatch. This consists of a 50kWh battery powering a 134bhp motor, giving 192lb-ft of twist from zero revs and a 0-62mph time in the general area of nine seconds (based on the e-208’s 8.5 second time).

The WLTP range of the Peugeot e-2008 SUV is a perfectly respectable 193 miles – very much in the ballpark of rivals like the Hyundai Kona (in 34kWh guise). Rapid charging at up to 100kW is supported, which enables 80 per cent charge to be restored in just 30 minutes, while conventional 7.4kW and 11kW charging capacities juice the e-2008 in around eight and five hours respectively.

Design and technology overhaul

As with the e-208, the e-2008 is a marked improvement (at least in our eyes) over the outgoing model. Its sharper angles and attractive three-claw LED head and taillights give it a far more chiselled look, while GT Line and GT models also benefit from new 18 inch diamond cut alloys. Design cues that give away the Peugeot e-2008’s electric underpinnings are minimal, consisting of a dichroic emblem that alternates between green and blue, ‘e’ monograms on the tailgate and front side panels and a body coloured chequered grille.

Inside Peugeot has lavished the compact SUV with class-leading levels of technology, including its latest 3D i-cockpit which sounds to us like a lot of fun – as well as useful while on the move. It consists of a head-up display which, rather than projecting information at the bottom of the windscreen projects it in hologram form in the driver's eyeline. Great for getting driving information at a glance, and also for pretending to be a fighter pilot.

Alongside the head-up display, 3D i-cockpit has a 10 inch (depending on trim level) colour touchscreen on the centre console with TomTom Traffic 3D navigation. All variants of the Peugeot e-2008 get MirrorScreen, enabling MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Furthermore, the MyPeugeot app enables owners to pre-set charging times as well as heating and air conditioning, and view current battery level.

Driving aids

Driving assistance is provided by an impressive range of features that is shared with the e-208. It includes: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Positioning Assist, latest generation Automatic Emergency Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Monitoring, PEUGEOT Smartbeam automatic headlight dipping, Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation, Extended Traffic Sign Recognition, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, and an electric parking brake.

Peugeot EV services

Helping owners to get the most from their EVs is a priority for Peugeot with its new generation of e cars, and to coincide with the launch of the e-2008 (and e-208) it is launching a range of dedicated services. Based around charging and day-to-day mobility, these include various home or work-based charging solutions with a diagnostic service to help buyers get the best solution for their needs. Free2Move Services gives owners access to public charging points across Europe, including giving them the ability to pre-select a terminal based on speed of charging, distance and cost of charging, for example. An online trip planner can be used to plan the most convenient routes based on distance and available charging stations, then uploaded to the Connect 3D Navigation, making EV mobility easier still.

Whilst the conventionally-powered 2008 will hit the roads later this year, buyers will have to wait until early 2020 before production ramps up on Peugeot's EV range and e-2008 deliveries begin.

Update 21.12.21: Peugeot has introduced several updates which have improved the real-world driving range of the e-2008 from 206 miles on the WLTP cycle to 214. New, lower rolling resistance tyres are equipped as standard whilst the gearbox has a new gear ratio for greater efficiency. Finally, a new heat pump with a humidity sensor located at the top of the windscreen will improve the air conditioning's efficiency, especially at lower temperatures.