So yes, we’re fans. We also must acknowledge the GT hybrid is the best blend of performance and efficiency in the lineup; but whether it’s a better buy than the non-hybrid GT will depend on your priorities.

No argument that the electrified version is better in every tangible respect though, with a stronger power delivery even if the output numbers are the same. Both versions make 230Nm at a very low 1750rpm, but even though the hybrid weighs nearly 100kg more and is two ratios short with a 6-speed transmission, it sprints to 100km/h over a second quicker than the ICE-only model: 8.3sec.

Owner Steve George Kilometres travelled 10,000 - 25,000 km Did you buy this car new or used? New How much did you pay? (including all on-road costs) $55,000 What were your needs when you bought this car? Has it fulfilled those needs? I wanted something a bit out of the ordinary. Powerful but not unnecessarily overpowered. I was looking at this, an Alfa Romeo (I used to have a 159) or a Kia Stinger. Handling is a must and good economy a plus. (Before this I had a Peugeot 607 which was neither). What were your initial thoughts about the car? Tell us why it appealed to you. Bang for buck! In the end I came to the conclusion that although I could afford the other choices I couldn’t justify 90k+ with the mileage I currently do. This car has everything I need and more, night vision was a bonus I didn’t realise it had until I got it home! The heated seats are something I was used to and didn’t want to do without. What have you discovered since owning the car? Night vision!…wonderful! When switching from normal driving to power mode it is too easy go 1 more into manual. You suddenly discover it high in the revs and takes a second or two to work out why! What do you like/dislike about the car? I drive with left foot braking (a hangover from my racing days) as it removes reaction time when something happens. But if you brake and push the accelerator at the same time, and I mean for only 1/100th of a second, the car goes into limp mode and won’t accelerate until you remove your foot from the accelerator and try again. This is a pain and potentially dangerous on many of New Zealand’s twisting hilly roads. The car I have doesn’t have a powered tailgate, again a pain but while I’m still fit and able not the end of the world. Any other comments on the car? My car was originally ordered for a buyer in the UK who backed out at the last minute leaving Peugeot France holding the baby. NZ stuck up their hand and took it and it was offered to me, so I never had a choice of options. Reliability * * * * Features/technology * * * * Performance/economy * * * * Value for money * * * * * Overall rating * * * * * Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again? Yes

It’s also got a pretty big boot for the segment (545l to the roof), with the added versatility of a double floor, which can either line up with the folded rear seats or simply be removed for maximum volume.

The infotainment OS in the 10in screen (upsized for this facelift) is still a bit murky, but wireless phone projection is standard and you still get a row of physical “piano key” buttons in the centre console for climate and the like, with some semi-concealed touch-controls for the main display nestling above them. Like we said, all a bit murky, but you work it out.

The official figure of 4.9l/100km is impressive for a five-seat SUV. However, even the standard 2008 still achieves 5.4l/100km.

The 2008 is all about design, but it remains a surprisingly practical little SUV. The rear seat is adult-sized, with deeply curvaceous front seatbacks liberating some extra legroom.

Loads of design flair but seemingly with no compromise to practicality, the cabin feels quite premium, the hybrid engine is fizzy and the chassis is fun for a small SUV.

You can have eight different ambient lighting colours and some are quite bright: orange, teal and pink, for example. They don't go with green, but it works in this car.

But the GT can now also be specified with a “mild hybrid” version of the same 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine, which adds a 48-volt electrical system and 0.9kWh battery, the latter tiny enough to sit under the front passenger’s seat.

There’s not much fuel economy gain over the ICE model for the extra $5k, the i-Cockpit layout is not for everybody and some of the lurid design detail could be overwhelming for shrinking violets.

Like its smaller hatchback sibling the 208, Peugeot’s 2008 compact-SUV is moving with the times for the New Zealand market.

PEUGEOT 2008 GT HYBRID: Engine 1.2-litre turbo-petrol 3-cylinder with 48-volt mild hybrid system Power 100kW/230Nm Gearbox 6-speed automated dual-clutch, FWD 0-100km/h 8.3sec Consumption 4.9l/100km (3P-WLTP) Price $49,990.

Unlike the 208, the facelifted 2008 (check out those 3-claw running lights) is still available in pure-ICE models: the $39,990 Allure and $44,990 GT.

Back in 2022, the 'e' version of the 2008 was a hero car for Peugeot. But now, it seems hybrid power is the thing to have.

And credit where credit’s due, while Stellantis insists on calling this type of technology “mild” hybrid (it does the same with the Alfa Romeo Tonale), the 2008’s 6-speed e-DCT gearbox does indeed contain a small electric motor, which can drive the car on its own at very low speeds, for very short distances. It does so a lot in city driving and even “sails” on the motorway quite often; you can choose to have a neat graphic on the dashboard that shows you exactly what the powertrain is doing.

The 2008’s mild hybrid engine makes 100kW/230Nm, or just 4kW more than the non-electrified version. It’s front-drive and matched to a 6-speed “e-DCT” gearbox, with an integrated electric motor.

Back in 2022, the “e” versions of both were hero models for the brand’s pure-electric cause. But right now it seems hybrid power is the thing to have, and that’s where this pair have gone: they are both now available with electrified-petrol powertrains.

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Peugeot’s i-Cockpit 3D dashboard layout doesn’t get any less wacky as the years go on. It’s probably the most polarising aspect of the car, with the tiny steering wheel set low in your lap and the main 3D-effect instruments viewed over the top of the rim. You’ll either love it or hate it, you’ll get used to it or you won’t… all we can say is give it a try and you’ll know.

The challenge with hybridising what’s already an extremely efficient car is illustrated perfectly by the 2008 GT hybrid. It makes 100kW/230Nm and returns 4.9l/100km in NZ’s official 3P-WLTP test cycle. Very impressive.

The i-Cockpit dashboard design and driving position is still polarising, but if you’re happy with that the 2008 has a spacious cabin with adult-sized rear seats and a big boot for the class, at 435-545l (windowline or roof); it also has a double floor so you can have a flat load-through or maximum space.

It’s a lot of fun and worth noting that the hybrid is the fastest 2008 you can buy, so its balance of performance and economy is unbeatable in the lineup. Steering and handling are on the sportier side, although so is the ride; not uncomfortable, but definitely firm.

Whatever the semantics, the 2008 is a fun little SUV to drive. The hybrid tech takes nothing away from the fizzy, rev-happy nature of the 3-cylinder engine and in fact adds a bit of shove down low, where the 1.2-litre often feels a bit thin.

But the non-hybrid 2008 GT makes 96kW/230Nm and returns 5.6l/100km. Which is more fuel, yes, but not that much more; the two are close enough to make you think carefully about the $5k premium for the hybrid version.

Even after all these years, French carmakers are sticking with the traditional satellite controls for adaptive cruise: in the 2008 it’s on the left-side of the steering column and right at your fingertips. We like it, and it’s good tech: simple to operate and once activated you can have “lane positioning assist”, which keeps the vehicle in the centre rather than letting it drift and then correcting.

The 2008 is full of design and dynamic flair; it utterly refuses to be boring, while at the same time being very sensible in its fuel use and practicality.

The GT cabin is all angles and bright green detailing; it’s fun and feels quite premium, albeit in a knowing, tongue-in-cheek way; get a load of the plastic “carbon” trim, for example.

It’s an everyday car with a bit of sporting flavour. The steering is direct and the chassis quite tenacious on winding roads, which is partly thanks to the GT’s upsized 18-inch wheels and low–profile tyres. The downside is a firm (but not fussy) ride.

Kilometres travelled 50,000 - 75,000 km Did you buy this car new or used? New How much did you pay? (including all on-road costs) $47,000 What were your needs when you bought this car? Has it fulfilled those needs? Large enough for a long holiday to the bottom of the South Island and back to the North Island. It also had to be able to take a two sets of golf clubs. What were your initial thoughts about the car? Tell us why it appealed to you. It was quiet, and loved the steering wheel quite different from any other car. Got no back aches from driving long days. What have you discovered since owning the car? What we have discovered is that the French make a super car. It is very economical, we averaged 6.3 ltr per 100km over 4500 km. What do you like/dislike about the car? The navigation system is very easy to use, had all our stops places we stayed at logged in before we left home. There is nothing we dislike about the car. Reliability * * * * * Features/technology * * * * Performance/economy * * * * * Value for money * * * * * Overall rating * * * * * Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again? Yes Why would/wouldn't you buy it again? I would buy a new 2024 3008 phev. When running on petroleum it will only use 1.2 ltr to 1.7 ltr per 100 km, according to the AA.