The Peugeot 2008 failed to shine as a tow car.

It took time to recover its composure after any sharp steering input, and the back of the car was moving around in the lane-change test, even during the slowest of three runs through the manoeuvre.

At 60mph it felt okay in still air, but wandered when the breeze picked up. And when slowing down from 60mph, the caravan’s Al-Ko ATC sensors picked up some swaying.

The engine took its time pulling the 2008 up to speed, while engine noise isn’t as well suppressed in this car as in the larger Peugeot 3008. And if you need to stop in a hurry, the 2008’s 11.9m stopping distance from 30mph was among the longest in this year’s tests.

Unhitch the caravan and the 2008 still disappoints. It’s not fun to drive, and doesn’t ride comfortably either, fussing and fidgeting over poor surfaces.

Inside, there’s more space than you’d find in, say, a Nissan Juke. But the boot proved too small to cope with our typical holiday luggage load, and the electrical socket was really awkward to access.

What’s more, the official towing limit of 1300kg drops to 980kg if the car is fully loaded.

At least the 2008 is keenly priced, especially after haggling – What Car?‘s experts suggest savings of around £2500 should be possible. The frugal diesel engine should make for affordable running costs, with an official combined figure of 76.3mpg.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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