Peugeot 2008 vs Renault Captur: which one is right for you?

Small SUVs are hugely popular, and two of the best-selling models are the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur; but which should you pick?

If you’re in the market for a small SUV, chances are that the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur are on your list of considerations. Both these cars are relatively affordable to buy, have low running costs and offer a decent driving experience while bring practical, and if you’re torn between the two, our head-to-head comparison will help you pick the right one for you.

Styling

The current-generation Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 were both introduced in 2019, so still look pretty fresh. The Peugeot arguably has the more imposing design, with that large grill asserting itself fairly obviously.

The Captur is a more subtle-looking car, with a more conservative look at the front. Both cars have similar side profiles, with divisions on the rear-most ‘C’ pillar above the rear wheels creating a visual separation of roof and body for what designers call a ‘floating’ roof look. The rearmost treatment of both cars is distinctive, with the 2008’s ‘claw effect’ rear lights being thematically linked to Peugeot’s lion logo. The Captur offers a totally different approach at the rear, with swooping tail lights crossing over from the rear wings to the boot lid.

Which you prefer will clearly be down to your own personal preference, but it’s fair to say both cars offer a completely different visual take on the small SUV formula.

One thing that is true with both the 2008 and the Captur is that both wear bright paint choices well, so have a good look at different options and figure out if you want to embrace some of the bolder colour options, or would prefer a more subtle look. The 2008 is available with a wider range of striking colours, whereas the Captur allows you to pick a colour-contrasting roof on various trims, whereas a black contrasting roof is only available on the top two trim levels (GT and GT Premium) of the 2008.

Interior and infotainment

There’s a similar story inside both cars: the Captur’s cabin feels well made, grown up and conservatively designed, while the 2008 offers more panache and flair. There are more curves, design touches and interesting material choices in the 2008, and while some may find it busy, others may consider the Captur looks old-fashioned by comparison. The Captur certainly feels high quality, though, with the temperature dials, for example, featuring a high-end knurled metallic finish.

One thing to highlight is that the 2008 features Peugeot’s iCockpit system; this sees a small steering wheel fitted, and you look over this to view the speedometer and other driver displays, unlike a convention setup as seen in the Captur, where the dashboard dials are viewed through the steering wheel. You may find you get on fine with the iCockpit, but some drivers find it tricky to get a seating and steering wheel position that both allows them to be comfortable, and have a clear view of the dials.

Infotainment wise, entry and mid-level trims get a seven-inch portrait-orientated touchscreen in the Captur, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Top-level trims get a larger 9.3-inch screen. The systems work fine, but there can be a little lag when operating the screen, while small icons can make individual functions slightly fiddly to select. Entry-level Evolution trim brings an analogue speedometer, while the mid-level Techno and above get a digital driver’s display.

You don’t get the same lovely physical dials for the climate control in the Peugeot; there are physical shortcut keys below the touchscreen, but once you’ve hit the right one of these, you’ll find yourself using the seven-inch touchscreen to adjust the temperature, making the task more involved than it need be. The infotainment systems in general is okay, but the graphics aren’t anything to write home about. Digital dashboard dials are standard on all but the base Active Premium+ model.

Engines

A 1.2-litre petrol engine is the mainstay of the 2008. This produces either 100, 130 or 155hp with an eight-speed automatic gearbox optional on the 100hp version and standard with the 155hp one (which is only available on the top GT Premium trim level). A 1.5-litre diesel used to be available, though this has been discontinued. There’s also an all-electric e-2008, which can officially cover 206 miles on a single charge.

There’s no pure-electric version of the Captur, but you can get it as a 160hp plug-in hybrid and, a 145hp conventional hybrid, or with a standard petrol and engine (the diesel model has been discontinued).

The entry-level Captur engine is a 90hp 1.0-litre unit, above which sits a 140hp 1.3-litre; the latter is a mild hybrid, but this essentially means it has a sophisticated stop-start system.

For most people, most of the time, the mid-range 130hp 2008, and 140hp Captur will offer the best blend of value, power and economy.

Driving and performance

Small SUVs are designed more with practicality and ease of use rather than outright handling in mind, but both the 2008 and Captur are decent companions on both motorways and smaller roads.

The Captur is mechanically related to the Renault Clio while the 2008 shares its underpinnings with the Peugeot 208 supermini, and while making the small SUVs’ increased height means a higher centre of gravity, this does not impact their handling unduly.

The Captur is slightly more focussed on comfort and less on handling than the 2008, with the Renault ironing out bumps in the road effectively. It’s also impressively refined on a cruise, isolating you from wind and road noise well.

The Peugeot feels a little more agile than the Renault, its small steering wheel contributing to a sense of nippiness, but overall it’s not quite as comfy as the Captur, and nor is it as refined.

Performance wise, the Captur takes a fairly length 14 seconds to go from 0-62mph with the 90hp engine, with the 140hp model shaving a useful four seconds off this time. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid both take 10 seconds or so to do the same.

The entry-level 2008 is quicker than its Captur rival, taking 10.9 seconds to do the 0-62mph sprint, with the 130hp model taking 8.9 seconds, and the 155hp engine doing the same in 8.2 seconds.

Practicality and boot space

As previously mentioned, cars like this are designed partly with practicality in mind, and to that end they both do well. The Captur has a 536-litre boot with the rear seats slid forward slightly, though this robs back-seat passengers of legroom, and in normal configuration the 422-litre boot is still generous. The 2008’s boot is 434 litres, so slightly up on the Captur in standard arrangement. Both these figures are strong for the class, and make the Captur and 2008 practical cars for luggage.

In terms of rear seat space, the Captur has a slight edge here. The 2008 is certainly spacious enough in the rear, but the Captur manages to offer just a little more room back there. Both cars are fine for four adults, though five would find things a bit of a squeeze – something that’s true of almost every car in this class.

Prices and running costs

As such key rivals, you can bet your bottom dollar Renault and Peugeot keep a close eye on each others’ pricing for the 2008 and Captur. The Peugeot starts at £22,195 for the 90hp version, while the 140hp mild hybrid version is £23,695.

The 2008 starts at £22,735 for the 100hp basic version, with the 130hp model requiring a step up from Active Premium+ trim to Allure Premium+, from bringing the price to £25,535. As small, supermini-based SUVs, expect servicing and insurance to be pretty affordable.

MPG, emissions and tax

Road tax will be a flat £165 a year for both cars, and £155 for the hybrid Capturs, while fuel economy is between 43 and 48mpg for the petrol 2008, while the petrol Capturs get 47-49mpg, rising to 56.5mpg for the full (not mild) hybrid, and 200mpg plus for the plug-in hybrid – though this supposes you will be plugging in, charging up and running in electric mode most of the time.

Safety and reliability

Good news here, with Euro NCAP awarding the Captur the full five stars in its test, and the 2008 getting four stars in standard form, or five stars when fitted with the optional safety pack.

Being based on proven sibling cars should make both the Peugeot and Renault dependable companions, though Renault offers a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, whereas the Peugeot comes with an industry-standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty.

Which one should I buy?

It’s a close run thing in general. The Captur has a longer warranty, a slightly better safety score, and is more comfortable and refined in general. The Peugeot is slightly more agile and his a more interesting cabin, while you may also prefer its snazzy looks. Neither is a bad choice in this segment, though.

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