Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Despite Popularity And Modern Design, The Peugeot 2008 Disappoints In Safety Tests And Raises Concerns Among Experts, Highlighting Serious Structural Deficiencies And Lack Of Essential Items, According To Recent Evaluation By Latin NCAP For Latin America.
The Peugeot 2008 SUV, one of the best-selling models from the brand in Brazil, received only one star in Latin NCAP’s safety tests (New Vehicle Assessment Program for Latin America and the Caribbean), released on June 5, 2025.
The score, out of a total of five possible, has raised a red flag about the safety offered by the vehicle, which has a strong presence on Brazilian streets.
The result places the 2008 among the worst ever evaluated by the organization, equating it with models such as the Citroën C3 Aircross, which received zero stars in November 2024.
-
Brazil’s nuclear submarine with a speed 5 times greater than normal advances after nearly 50 years and R$ 40 billion spent.
-
An impressive phenomenon in Northern Brazil causes rivers of different colors to flow side by side, revealing secrets about sediments, currents, and biodiversity.
-
While many schools are still struggling with the basics, a teacher in China went viral for having elementary school students build a two-stage rocket using plastic bottles, water, and pressurized air in a science class that caught the attention of the entire world.
-
A Brazilian island charges R$ 0.50 to receive visitors and prohibits any new residents.
Both brands — Peugeot and Citroën — belong to the Stellantis group, a conglomerate also responsible for the Fiat, Jeep, RAM, and Abarth brands.
Safety Deficiencies In The Peugeot 2008
According to Latin NCAP, the main deficiency of the model lies in the driver protection in frontal collisions with a deformable barrier, a test that simulates a common impact on urban roads.
During the simulation, the driver’s chest was the most compromised part, followed by the thighs of the front passenger.
There were also observed deficiencies in the protection of the driver’s legs, which increases the risk in frontal accidents.
The structural analysis of the vehicle also raised concerns.
The organization classified the cabin as “unstable and unable to withstand greater loads”, which means a lower ability to absorb severe impacts.
In addition, the side impact test against a pole was not performed, as the vehicle does not provide side airbags for head protection as a standard item, which undermines safety in more severe side collisions.
Another negative point was related to the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system.
Although available as an option, the tested version does not meet the minimum passive safety criteria or the availability requirements set by Latin NCAP.
Experts’ Criticisms Of Stellantis
According to the chairman of the board of Latin NCAP, Stephan Brodziak, the result of the Peugeot 2008 is “unacceptable.”
In a statement to the portal g1, he stated that the score represents a concerning lack of commitment to basic safety by Stellantis in Latin America.
According to him, the low score is not the result of a technical limitation, but rather of a business decision that prioritizes cost reduction over human life.
The organization’s secretary-general, Alejandro Furas, reinforced the criticism.
“It is concerning to see leading vehicle manufacturers, such as those in the Stellantis group, continue to offer models with such low safety performance, as if lives in Latin America and the Caribbean did not hold the same value as those in Europe.”
History Of Poor Evaluations Of Stellantis
The evaluation of the Peugeot 2008 is not an isolated case.
Other Stellantis models sold in Brazil have also shown unsatisfactory results in safety tests.
Below is a summary of the most recent scores:
- Citroën C3 Aircross (November 2024): 0 stars
- Fiat Pulse (December 2023): 2 stars
- Citroën C3 (July 2023): 0 stars
- Jeep Renegade (July 2023): 1 star
- Fiat Strada and RAM 700 (October 2022): 1 star each
- Fiat Argo and Cronos (December 2021): 0 stars
- Peugeot 208 (December 2021): 2 stars
The last good evaluation of a group model occurred in 2018, with the Fiat Toro, which obtained four stars.
Since then, no other car produced or distributed by Stellantis has managed to repeat that performance.
Official Statement From The Manufacturer
In a statement sent to the press, Stellantis stated that all its models are in compliance with current regulations and international approvals.
The company emphasized that the safety of a vehicle goes beyond individual active and passive safety items and that cars are designed based on a broad set of factors.
The manufacturer also stated that the Peugeot 2008 is offered in versions with different levels of equipment, and highlighted that it does not finance or sponsor the tests conducted by Latin NCAP.
Consumers And Safety Perception
Despite the criticism, the Peugeot 2008 remains among the best-selling models in the category in Brazil, mainly due to its cost-benefit ratio and modern design, which raises the debate about safety perception among Brazilian consumers.
For experts, the lack of automotive safety culture and the low dissemination of crash test results contribute to this scenario.
With the popularity of compact SUVs and the growth of Stellantis’ customer base in the country, the pressure for better occupant protection ratings is likely to increase.
Consumer advocacy organizations and vehicle safety entities have intensified campaigns for transparency in testing and adoption of stricter global standards.
In light of such low evaluations, do you feel safe driving a car that prioritizes cost over life protection?
Seja o primeiro a reagir!