The latest e-2008 MCA sports a refreshed look and a larger battery pack.
Folks who’ve read our 2022 review of the Peugeot e-2008 would recall that one of my complaints was the lack of range from its 50kWh battery pack. For this Mid Cycle Action (MCA) e-2008, Peugeot has fitted a bigger 54kWh battery pack instead.
Not quite the 64kWh I was hoping for in the aforementioned article, but this is also accompanied by an improvement in efficiency. More on that later.
Apart from the refreshed look, larger battery pack and tech tweaks within the cabin, this Pug is essentially the same compact electric vehicle (EV) as the last version in the compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) class.
Since our last review, competition in this market and price segment has changed and slightly grown. Contenders such as the BYD Atto 3 100kW, MG 4 EV, MG ZS EV and Citroen e-C4 now vie for your dollars.
l’ extérieur
The grille is now different. Where the previous version had horizontal slats, this has vertical items.
The headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs) are also redesigned. Gone is the three-claw-one-fang-through-the-bumper look of the predecessor, replaced by just three claws at the lower part of the bumper.
Here’s where I think Peugeot missed a trick; instead of having switchback DRLs that blink amber and revert to white when the turn signals are activated and deactivated respectively, the turn signal is instead a solitary and tiny affair baked into the headlight itself.
This makes the turn signal less prominent.
The lower intakes on the bumper are also redesigned. Apart from that, this is essentially a very similar SUV to last time.
215/55R18 Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres wrap around 18-inch rims. These items do a pretty good job of balancing between noise and comfort, and grip in the twisty stuff.
The e-2008 MCA’s compact proportions mean placing this SUV EV in its intended direction of travel and parking is also pretty easy.
Around the back, one notices another change from its predecessor. The taillights now feature slim, horizontal slats instead of vertical items, and make the rounded rump look more pert and purposeful.
l’ intérieur
Despite its compact proportions, cargo capacity is not wanting. Drop the rear seatbacks to liberate up to 1,400 litres of Ikea- and Giant-friendly space.
With them up, 434 litres of boot space is still pretty decent. This is after all a compact SUV.
As before, rear-seat legroom is sufficient for most purposes. With the driver’s seat in my preferred position, legroom in the back is snug, and sustainable only for shorter journeys.
Luckily, a large panoramic sunroof allows natural light to filter into the cabin and make it feel more airy and spacious.
Up front… Peugeot, oh Peugeot. Why art thou so, Peugeot?
Yet again, we find the steering column sitting under the dash. This makes adjusting the steering wheel tricky, as its top rim is wont to obscure the instrument screen.
The manual seats themselves are easily adjusted. However, the backrest pitch adjustment is courtesy of a rotary knob on the side, that’s more difficult to access. Expect to skin your knuckles on the B-pillar.
3D gauges feature on the iCockpit screen as before, with some slight tweaks to keep things fresh. They do look really nifty in person.
The 10-inch infotainment screen has been updated with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and worked pretty well during my time with this Pug.
Apart from that, it’s business as usual in the rest of the cabin. Aircon controls are via the touchscreen, but they are relatively easy to use. A row of physical shortcut toggles helps one get to where they need to in the infotainment system.
la conduite
As before, the point of note when out on the road is to keep an eagle eye on the speedometer. Since the e-2008 MCA is so well insulated, one will likely fail to feel the sensation of speed and inadvertently creep into illegal territory.
Apart from that, what was joyous to drive about the pre-facelift Pug is still here. It rides and handles well, due in no small part to the French engineer’s suspension-tuning expertise.
Not only is it comfortable, but it can also put in a good turn in the twists and bends, surprising other vehicles in the process.
It’s also pretty nippy despite just 134hp from the electric motor or a 4hp uplift from the previous version. This is primarily due to 270Nm of torque, which is an increase of 10Nm.
Put your foot down from a stop or in a roll, and this Pug will pick up pace quite smartly for that highway-merge or lane-change manoeuvre.
Charging time is quoted at 34 minutes from 0-80% at a 100kW DC fast charger, and my own experience at a 120kW DC charger feels like this number is accurate. I did charge from 15-100%, which took 1 hour and 13 minutes, which is kind of expected.
Which then brings us to how efficient it is. The test-drive weekend was sorely stacked against the Pug, with accident- and road diversions-related traffic jams and rainstorms, both of which took a massive bite out of energy efficiency.
Despite that, the e-2008 MCA put in a very respectable weighted and normalised 13.14kWh/100km or 7.6km/kWh, besting Peugeot’s claimed 14.1kWh/100km or 7.1km/kWh efficiency.
What this means is that it is very possible to eke out around 400km of range in between full-charge stops, and it bodes well for the average Singaporean’s local use.
Should You Buy One?
From the aforementioned competitors’ list, the Atto 3 is more tech-focused, and the MG 4, with its rear-wheel drive architecture, is more entertaining for the driving enthusiast.
The Pug on the other hand counters with its competitive price point, unique looks and French quirkiness. Especially if, like me, you prefer tech to be in the background and aiding unobtrusively rather than stacked up the wazoo and in your face.
That it rides comfortably, is reasonably spacious for a compact crossover, and is quite enjoyable to drive and throw about in the corners makes this a strong contender for your dollars.
Take a test drive. You might just be surprised at how this Pug works its way into your heart.
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
Technical Specifications
Peugeot e-2008 GT MCA
Power: 134hp
Torque: 270Nm
Drive: front wheels
0-100km/h: 9.1 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 150km/h (claimed)
Kerb Weight: 1,548kg
Fuel/Battery Capacity: 54kWh
Range: up to 436km (claimed)
Fuel/Energy Economy: 14.1kWh/100km or 7.1km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$159,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Peugeot Singapore
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