The compact SUV segment is the fiercest battlefield in the automotive world, and for years, Peugeot has asserted its position with models like the 2008. Now, the brand with the lion badge is preparing a new, highly anticipated maneuver: the launch of the 2026 Peugeot 1008 Mini SUV. Positioned below the successful 2008, the 1008 is engineered to be the ultimate Urban Crossover, blending French flair with clever space utilization and multi-energy powertrains.
This detailed Full Review provides an authoritative, expert-driven look at the vehicle’s design, features, performance, and expected Price, establishing the Peugeot 1008 as a strong, keyword-rich contender ready to redefine the entry-level SUV experience.
I. Exterior: Peugeot Design Philosophy Distilled
The 2026 Peugeot 1008 immediately catches the eye, proving that a Mini SUV does not have to compromise on presence. Built on the highly adaptable Stellantis CMP Platform (Common Modular Platform), the 1008 measures approximately 4.15 meters in length, retaining the agility of a city car while embracing the rugged aesthetic of a true Sport Utility Vehicle.
The Signature French Flair
The exterior design is a sharp evolution of Peugeot’s contemporary language, first popularized by the 208 and 2008.
- Front Fascia: The most striking element is the aggressively styled front grille, flanked by Peugeot’s signature vertical LED daytime running lights, often referred to as “Lion’s Claws.” These light signatures are instantly recognizable and give the 1008 a fierce, distinctive look. The high bonnet line and robust skid-plate elements emphasize its SUV posture.
- Side Profile: The body features sharp, angular character lines—Peugeot calls this the “sharp-edge design philosophy”—that carve along the doors and sculpted fenders. This approach gives the small body visual dynamism and a muscular tension. High-mounted roof rails and available 17-inch alloy wheels further elevate its urban-explorer status, providing essential differentiation from a standard hatchback.
- Rear View: The rear is clean, modern, and high-tech, featuring a dark horizontal strip that connects the three-claw LED taillights. This design detail visually widens the vehicle and reinforces the premium feel, ensuring the 1008 looks sophisticated even in traffic. The compact dimensions, however, ensure a tight turning circle, making city parking a breeze.
II. Interior: The Modern Peugeot i-Cockpit
Stepping inside the 2026 Peugeot 1008 reveals a commitment to the brand’s unique design philosophy: the Peugeot i-Cockpit. This cabin setup is designed to be ergonomic, futuristic, and focused entirely on the driver’s Experience.
Ergonomics and Digital Displays
The i-Cockpit stands out due to three key elements:
- Compact Steering Wheel: The small, flattened steering wheel allows the driver’s arms to sit lower, improving feel and agility.
- High-Mounted Digital Cluster: The driver information screen is positioned above the steering wheel, closer to the driver’s line of sight—a feature similar to a head-up display—to minimize distraction. This is a crucial piece of Modern Tech.
- Digital Touchscreen: A prominent 10-inch central touchscreen is the command center for infotainment and navigation.
Space, Comfort, and Features
Despite its classification as a Mini SUV, the 1008 utilizes its CMP Platform architecture efficiently to maximize cabin volume.
- Seating and Materials: The cabin is surprisingly roomy for its class, seating five with adequate, though compact, rear legroom. Higher trims, like the anticipated Allure or GT-Line, are expected to feature soft-touch fabrics and plastics, and potentially even Alcantara trim, lending a touch of French luxury. Heated front seats and lumbar support are anticipated options.
- Practicality: The vehicle is built for practical, urban living. The rear seats feature the requisite ISOFIX points for child seats, and a 60/40 split-folding configuration dramatically expands the luggage space. The trunk capacity starts at a practical volume (rumored to be around 350 liters), which can expand significantly to over 1,200 liters when the seats are folded, providing versatility for weekend trips or shopping hauls.
- Infotainment and Connectivity: The 10-inch touchscreen runs Peugeot’s latest infotainment software, which is intuitive and responsive. Essential Features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice-activated navigation are expected to be standard or readily available, keeping the driver connected and informed seamlessly.
III. Performance: Hybrid Power and the Electric e-1008
The 2026 Peugeot 1008’s powertrains are where its Expertise in modern, efficient engineering truly shines. Built on the multi-energy CMP Platform, it offers consumers a choice of highly efficient petrol, mild-hybrid, and pure electric options.
Hybrid Performance: The 1.2 PureTech Mild-Hybrid
The core European offering is expected to be based on the proven 1.2-liter PureTech three-cylinder turbo engine, augmented by 48V mild-hybrid technology.
- Engine Specs (Expected): The mild-hybrid unit will likely produce approximately 100 HP to 136 HP and be paired with an advanced six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (e-DCS6).
- Efficiency and Drive: The 48V system provides a small electric boost under acceleration and allows for electric-only creeping at low speeds, significantly improving fuel efficiency and reducing urban emissions. This focus on efficiency makes the Peugeot Hybrid Performance highly attractive for city commuters. The front-wheel-drive layout prioritizes agility and maximizing interior space.
The Electric e-1008
Crucially, the 2026 Peugeot 1008 will also launch with a fully electric sibling, the e-1008, cementing Peugeot’s commitment to electrification and providing an Affordable SUV option in the growing EV market.
- Range and Power (Expected): The e-1008 will likely share battery and motor technology with the larger e-2008, featuring a battery pack (potentially around 50 kWh) capable of delivering a WLTP electric range in the region of 300 to 400 kilometers (186 to 248 miles). Instant electric torque will provide sharp, responsive acceleration, perfect for darting through city traffic.
IV. Safety, Technology, and Projected Price
The Trustworthiness of the 2026 Peugeot 1008 is underpinned by its full suite of safety and driver assistance Features. The vehicle is expected to feature the latest in Stellantis safety tech, including:
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Adjusts speed to maintain distance from the car ahead.
- Lane Keeping Assist: Provides subtle steering corrections to keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Enhanced to include pedestrian and cyclist detection.
- Traffic Sign Recognition: Reads and displays speed limit and warning signs in the digital cluster.
Price and Market Positioning
As the smallest crossover in the lineup, the 2026 Peugeot 1008 Price is designed to aggressively challenge key rivals like the Renault Captur, Ford Puma, and potentially even the Dacia Spring (for the electric variant).
- Starting Price (Estimated): In Europe, the base petrol or mild-hybrid variants are expected to start at approximately €22,000 to €25,000.
- Electric Price (Estimated): The fully electric e-1008 will inevitably carry a premium but is expected to be one of the most accessibly priced European electric SUVs.
V. Conclusion: The Compact Contender
The 2026 Peugeot 1008 Mini SUV is far more than a downsized version of its siblings. It is a carefully calculated product designed to fill the rapidly expanding niche for stylish, high-tech, and efficient small crossovers. With its aggressive Peugeot Design, sophisticated i-Cockpit interior, and choice of efficient Hybrid Performance or zero-emission Electric e-1008 power, the 1008 is poised to be a massive commercial success, offering premium French motoring at an Affordable SUV price point. This Urban Crossover is an intelligent, well-equipped, and undeniably stylish answer to the demands of the modern city driver.
