Can a Peugeot 2008 tow a caravan?

In this article, we will answer the following question: Can a Peugeot 2008 tow a caravan? We will discuss the pluses and minuses of a Peugeot 2008 and whether you should invest long-term in this car or not.

Can a Peugeot 2008 tow a caravan?

With a legal maximum tow limit of 1300 kgs, the Peugeot 2008 manages pretty well with towing a medium-sized caravan. One minus would be that the shocks of passing over bumps are felt very well by the passengers and the noises from the suspension elements aren’t very well damped. Otherwise, it can pull a caravan quite easily. 

Please check the below table for the towing capacity of your Peugeot 2008 model. 

Peugeot 2008 Towing Capacity

Peugeot 2008: General presentation

 Launched in the spring of 2013, at the Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot 2008 was one of the first models of its kind offered to European customers. Built on the 208 platforms, the Peugeot crossover ventured into the world of small class SUVs, a segment “invented” by the Japanese from Nissan with their Juke, in whose success not many people believed at the time of its launch.

However, in 2013 there was a click among consumers in Europe. The demand for such cars began to grow more and more, with sales growth rising to astonishing values. The year 2015 marked increases quantified in two percentage points, the segment of small class SUVs being perhaps the most dynamic in the market. 

The launches of new models did not stop, but the 2008 Peugeot continued to be one of the best-selling cars in its class, occupying the third position of the podium in 2015, after Renault Captur and Vauxhall Mokka.

The beginning of 2016 came with a facelift for Peugeot 2008, the aesthetic changes wanting to further strengthen its position on the market.

There are two versions: PureTech gasoline engine (1.2 litres aspirated 82 hp, 1.2 litres turbo 110 hp), respectively three BlueHDi 1.6 diesel engines – 75, 99 or 120 hp. All comply with EURO 6 pollution regulations. Customers can choose the 2008 Peugeot in three equipment versions – Access, Active or Allure. The starting price is 14,032 euros, for version 1.2 PureTech 82 CP Access.

Peugeot 2008: Performance, road behaviour and consumption

• Engine/Transmission

For the 1.6 e-HDi engine the figures on paper show 115 hp supplied at 3,600rpm and 270 Nm available at 1,750 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h is done in 10.4 seconds, the maximum speed being 188 km / h. 

If we look at the main rivals, Renault offers the Captur dCi 110 that accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 11.4 seconds and can reach 182 km / h top speed, while the Opel Mokka 1.6 CDTI 110 CP does the same sprint in 12.5 seconds and marks 178 km / h in terms of top speed. 2008 is therefore superior to them.

Let’s put the theory aside and see how the car handles the road. Considering that we have a car that does not exceed 1,200 kg in weight, the 1.6-litre HDi engine proved to be more than enough for all the driver’s demands in terms of acceleration, the engine torque providing excellent resources when overtaking. 

Coupled to a six-speed manual transmission, the engine offered by Peugeot is one of the most refined units in its segment, the vibrations or noise produced “by default” by a diesel being almost imperceptible inside.

The gearbox is perfectly layered from our point of view, with steps III and IV dedicated to overtaking manoeuvres and a sixth gear designed for driving on the highway at speeds of over 120 km / h. 

Unlike the five-speed gearbox previously tested on the Citroen C4 Cactus platform brother and which easily approached the word “disaster”, the accuracy of the gear changes and the 2008 gearbox guidance is impeccable. Nothing to complain about in this regard, maybe just the stain of the exchanger made of aluminium and which actually sticks to your hand on cold mornings.

• Road behaviour

The Peugeot 2008 comes with a suspension set to offer the best comfort to its passengers. The fact that the shock absorbers are soft can be seen from the first kilometres, but from the beginning, you can not help but notice a small paradox – you go over potholes or speed limiters and you expect not to feel much but the exact opposite happens. 

The car swings seriously, the shocks of passing over bumps are felt in the seats, and the noises from the suspension elements are also not very well damped.

On the wide road, everything is perfect as long as the asphalt is good and there are not too many tight curves on the route. The turns taken at higher speeds make the 2008 Peugeot a car with a pronounced roll, calming drivers from the start with the desire to run on curves. 

All in all, the best terrain for a 2008 1.6 HDi under the hood is both the freshly paved streets of the city or the express roads or highways where you can drive at cruising speeds in great comfort.

It’s a pity that Peugeot does not offer a more “direct” 2008 in response and reactions, especially since the driver has a perfect driving position, responsible for this being the i-Cockpit concept – with a small steering wheel ideally placed and a watch board located above the steering wheel as a reading direction.

However, the manoeuvrability in the city is very good, thanks to the very “soft” steering wheel and the length of the car, which exceeds by a little 4.10 meters. The high steering position increases visibility, but the side mirrors placed in a very low position in front of the driver’s eyes require some adjustment time.

If we talk about the behaviour outside the asphalt, the car in our test benefits from the Grip Control system that changes the traction settings in certain preset modes, to provide the best grip depending on the tread. 

The ground clearance is not very high. The stylistic elements of the front/rear bars do not allow very daring off-road exits, Peugeot 2008 remaining a car dedicated at most to the “adventures” of crossing curbs or other obstacles in the city.

Conclusions

 Peugeot 2008 already offers customers a solid package, whether we are talking about the available engines or we are looking at safety or comfort.

The exterior design and interior ambience are among the most successful in its segment, targeting precisely the clientele that wants such a small class crossover – young people and especially women, so the success of the model can not be guaranteed. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments on the content. 

References 

• Peugeot 2008 towing capacity
• Peugeot 2008 Review