In 2019, lots of things have changed in the world of compact SUV's. VAG-cars can now get 1.5-litre TSI-engines,
which ables that Seat Arona to produce 150 horsepower. Also, there now are lots of new models available.
The Nissan Juke, the Renault Captur and this Peugeot 3008 for example. The latter being available with a powerful 155 horsepower-engine as well,
which begs for a direct comparison.
And the new 2008 is a very nice car to look at. Typically Peugeot as well, with those huge fangs and grille. It also comes with these kinds of details,
like these folds. It's a matter of taste, but it's very distinctive as well. It's also much more serious looking. It's 4.30 m. long, so it's bigger than...
we're used to in the B-segment. It's more of an inbetween car really, like a Toyota C-HR.
The extra length doesn't only translate to a nicer appearance, you can actually use the additional size.
In the boot, you'll be able to fit 405 litres. You do have to lower the floor for that. Also, it's not much bigger than the Arona,
because that fits 400 litres. Another very spacious car in this segment. If you fold down the seats however, the Peugeot takes the victory.
It'll fit over 1.400 litres, whilst the Arona only fits 1.280 litres. And it continues in the back. The headroom is good, just like the legroom.
However, the shape of the back rest is a little unhandy, which could mean taller people have their knees into the seat in front of them.
Other than that, when it comes to additional features, it has two USB-ports in the back. It doesn't have vents or armrests, but the...
Arona doesn't have those either. The Arona also has a spacious rear seat. Maybe there's a tad less legroom, but it's good enough.
In the front of the 2008, the steps made in the segment really become clear. The same goes for the new Captur, but this looks really special.
Of course, that's what we're used to from Peugeot. And this is no exception. Again, it's a matter of taste. Even more than on the outside.
It's very coherent though. It all looks very modern and fresh. It also feels a bit like a cockpit, because everything is aimed towards you.
Also, the dials are nice and high up on the dashboard. It really feels like you're incapsulated in this car, which I like. Just like lots of other people.
When it comes to the used materials, I don't have anything to complain about except for the carbon-like stuff here, which is soft.
Usually, soft materials are good, but I don't know if that goes for carbon as well.
When it comes to ergonomics however, there is something to complain about. The buttons over here look very nice, but because one of the rows...
is tip-controlled whilst the other has touch controls, it's not very clear. And the same goes for the screen.
The layout remains a little unclear and because you have lots of menu's in the system, you always have to look for what you need.
It's not all bad however. It has some pretty nice details, like the interior lighting. If you touch it, it turns on. You also get mood lighting,
which lets you control the colors. Also, there's a small hatch over here, in which you can place your phone so you can look at it.
Nice, but unnecessary, because this car has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
When you're driving, there's another thing that stands out in the Peugeot. The seating position. I know, we're saying it in every Peugeot-video nowadays,
which is logical because you really have to get used to it. It's because of the highly positioned instrument cluster combined with the small steering wheel.
If you want to read the dials, you have to position the steering wheel a tad lower than you're used to. And that takes some getting used to.
It's not a bad car because of it, but other cars won't force you to get used to something like this.
The steering itself takes some getting used to as well. Because of its size it feels more direct, but you'll get the hang of it in no-time.
It's a nicely steering car. Very direct, with enough feedback. However, don't mistake the GT for a GTI.
Because it isn't. It's nice and rapid, but mostly comfortable. Sometimes, it's too comfortable, which means it heaves a tad too much.
That gives the impression that the dampers aren't really ready for their task. Other than that, it's really well-balanced.
With a very drivetrain of course, it's the GT-version for a reason. And it's powered by the same 1.2-litre PureTech found in lots of other...
Peugeot's, the famous 3-cylinder. However, in this spec it produces 155 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. More than enough for a car like this.
In the past, it wasn't even possible in this segment, but it now makes sure that this car drives and accelerates incredibly smoothly.
It's always connected to the PSA 8-speed automatic gearbox. That doesn't have a double clutch, and it does exactly what it needs to do.
It's not a sporty gearbox, or a vindictive one, but it's a very solid gearbox.
If you're feeling wild, you can also put it in Sport-mode. Funny enough, you'll get a louder engine noise as a gimmick.
Sure, across the speakers, because of course it's fake. It does create a sportier ambiance though.
Also, it's fun to drive as well, this 2008. However, it'll lose grip quicker than a 208.
Compared to the 2008, an Arona is really plain on the inside. It also feels smaller and more vulnerable.
That's mostly because of the fact that the windows are higher and the doors are lower. It just feels smaller,
so it doesn't feel like a bunker like the 2008. When it comes to materials, the Arona falls behind as well.
The dashboard consists mostly out of hard plastics, even though it doesn't stand out immediately.
Seat has been able to camouflage it by fabric on the middle bit, and it looks pretty good because of the red stitching.
Relatively speaking of course, it's still a Seat. The layout is good as well. It's very traditional with dials behind the steering wheel,
screen in the middle, vents above it and climate control below it. Also, it has a manual gearbox, because that's the gearbox available...
for the 1.5-litre TSI. If you want an automatic gearbox, you won't be able to get this car. Unless you want to settle for a 1.0-litre TSI,
producing 115 horsepower. Alternatively, you can get the Volkswagen T-Cross. Funny enough, that'll always have a DSG-gearbox for its 1.5-litre TSI.
The engine is a proper addition to this car. It's a 4-cylinder, which is the only petrol 4-cylinder available in this car.
Other engines are all derivatives of the 1.0-litre. And you'll hear that, especially compared to the Peugeot.
It really sounds like a 3-cylinder. If you put your foot down, it has that typical 3-cylinder rumble to it.
This one runs better. It's quieter and more refined. That's the feeling I get from this. When looking at everything,
it's more refined than the Peugeot. The manual gearbox changes gear smoothly, and there's nothing wrong with it. Just like the steering.
Also, don't expect it to be a sporty car. FR-pack or not. However, as a Seat, it should be more dynamic than a Volkswagen, and it is.
It communicates a tad more, but as whole it's a decent allrounder. It's refined, it's comfortable and it's able to become dynamic.
When it comes to infotainment, I already mentioned it looks pretty traditonal, but it all works very good.
And it's the same for lots of other subjects in these cars. The Peugeot looks better, whilst it all works better in here.
The screen reacts very quickly, it has a logical layout and it has a digital instrument cluster. Sure, it's not 3D like in the Peugeot, but it's...
very configurable. You can choose whether or not you want information is displayed, if you want a full satnav-map,
and it all works more logical and faster than in the Peugeot. The rest of interior is good as well. The seating position is good,
you can pull the steering wheel towards you, and the seat is nicely adjustable. Also, everything is where you want it to be.
The Seat isn't doing anything wrong, and the Peugeot scores its points by being premium and spacious, but it comes at a price.
Where the Seat is available at around €28.000 with this engine, the Peugeot 2008 GT, which is the absolute top version, will set...
you back at least €37.000. The 2008 goes beyond its segment on a lot of levels, but it most certainly does so when it comes to price.