The Peugeot 2008 is the latest mini-SUV, and a rival to cars such as the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

It's based on the Peugeot 208 supermini and uses the same range of efficient petrol and diesel engines. However, the 2008 offers tougher looks, a higher driving position and more space for passengers and luggage.

The Drive

I drove the two engines – 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel and the 118bhp 1.2-litre petrol

The diesel I found to be the better drive because it delivers good in-gear flexibility and is impressively refined other than a little pedal vibration.

The petrol engines that I drove was easy to drive but I did have difficulty several times with the clutch it seemed to be far higher than the diesel and I stalled it a couple of times, but it I did get used to it after a while.

Peugeot 2008

Peugeot say they have managed to make the 2008 as dynamic to drive as the 208 it’s based on. But while there is notably little body roll in the corners, given the increased ride height and the additional bodywork there are a few niggles.

We also tried out a new feature grip control which is easily turned on and allows you to drive easily whether its on mud sand or even snow to which I had the demonstation of it capability when we test drove it up the ski slope of Tamworth indoor snow dome the 4wd 2008 Crossover drove easily up to the top and then back down I was having a visions of skidding down but it coped brilliantly the car was in total control and gave me more confidence so much so I did it twice.

Peugeot 2008

Styling

On first impressions it’s a really nice car very comfortable to sit in dash board and steering wheel had a real sporty feel to it The Peugeot 2008 features the same stylish swept-back headlights, bold chome grill and defined creases from its 208 cousin. Add in a set of roof rails come as standard, and squared off wheel arches and tough cladding give the 2008 an SUV look and feel. The entry-level Access+ models don't come with alloy wheels, neither do they get some of the chrome additions that upper range models get. Inside it's best to go for Allure trim because then you get stylish blue LED surrounds to the dials and a laser-cut LED pattern in the rooflining. Nevertheless, even cheaper models look classy, with gloss black and satin chrome inserts throughout.

Peugeot 2008

Safety and Cost

The 1.6-litre e-HDi diesel is the most efficient engine in the range, with CO2 emissions of 98g/km and fuel economy of 74.3mpg when combined with the EGC gearbox. Every single diesel engine recorded over 70mpg during the usual EU testing procedure, and even the worst offending petrol – the 1.6 – claims 47.9mpg combined.

Better yet, there will be a version of the 1.2-litre petrol that emits just 99g/km CO2. But like the 98g/km CO2 version of the 1.6-litre diesel, this will only be possible in partnership with a special EGC automatic gearbox, which we weren’t able to test on the launch.

There’s no Euro NCAP rating for the 2008 at the time of writing, though in common with most modern Peugeots there’s no reason to think it won’t achieve five stars. However, it does without the latest electronic safety aids such as autonomous city centre braking – as does everything else in this class.

• In Showrooms from mid July 2013
• Priced from £12,995 OTR

Conclusion

Peugeot's answer to the Nissan Juke market is safe, stylish and well-priced. Its ace up the sleeve is Grip Control that with all weather tyres give is better than 4x4 capability in snow, I really liked it, a big thumbs up from Femalefirst