Introduction

Responding to market forces, Peugeot has made the second-generation 3008 more muscular, more sophisticated and more substantial – less MPV, more premium-look SUV. This is a booming marketplace and the 3008 is a key family-focused model for Peugeot, one it hopes will build on the impressive popularity of the original in order to compete with rivals like the Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca, Skoda Karoq, Kia Sportage and more. 

Did you know? The 3008 is the world’s first car to have an in-car audio system from French sounds specialist, Focal.

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Unlike the previous 3008, the new one has head-turning looks on its side and the interior is a high-quality triumph. The engines give strong performance and it’s precise but relaxing to drive. Super-fast steering and a super-small steering wheel take time to get used to, and a lack of four-wheel drive ultimately limits its 4x4-look pretensions, but having one of the most spacious and versatile interiors in the class goes a long way to making up for that. It's good value given the very generous standard equipment, too. Overall, the 3008 is another strong family car from Peugeot. 

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Peugeot was early on the crossover bandwagon with the original 3008, launched in 2008. This was a high-riding model that was more than simply a hatchback on stilts. Trouble is, as time went on, Peugeot seemed unsure if the 3008 was trying to be a crossover MPV or an SUV.

With this 3008, it’s all decided. Crossover SUV it is, and it now has chunkier, more square-jawed styling to suit. It’s crisper and less blobby, with enough high-end detailing to make it genuinely stand out. The grille, headlights and tail lights all have a premium look. It’s a sight more striking than a Seat Ateca, Skoda Karoq or Nissan Qashqai.

Those bold lines have brave intersections and expansive sculpture. Chunky wheelarches give it a four-square stance, and will encourage you to move up the range and get big enough alloy wheels to fill them. The new look helps transform the 3008’s image, from a slightly fancy-looking compact people carrier into a surprisingly convincing sub-Range Rover Evoque machine.

This reflects emboldened Peugeot’s growing ambitions to be seen as a realistic French-accented alternative to the semi-premium Volkswagen brand. It wants to lift itself above the mainstream, and the transformation of the 3008 is proof it has the design chutzpah to achieve this.

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The Peugeot 3008’s high-quality interior is, if anything, even more successful than its exterior. It’s futuristic and striking, with a high-set wraparound centre console giving the commanding feel to complement its SUV stance. Occupants step up into it, and the bold, layered dashboard makes them feel safe and secure.

The eight-inch infotainment touchscreen is crisply high-resolution. Good job: almost all the 3008’s functions are accessed through it, including the dual-zone climate control (fitted to all models). Peugeot has added piano-key shortcut buttons below it, and they help immeasurably in making it straightforward to use.

The weirdest part about the 3008’s interior is Peugeot’s signature downsized steering wheel. It’s so small, you view the dials above it, not through it. Such is the speed of the steering, it’s downright weird at first. You will get used to it, but it’s still unlike anything else in this sector. Worth bearing in mind on the test-drive.

Practicality

The driver will find it easy to hone a comfortable seating position in the 3008, and what’s more - those behind them won’t suffer. There’s more headroom, knee room and foot room in the back than in the previous 3008, so this is one of the more spacious options in the class, rivalling the Nissan Qashqai for rear passenger space. The seats are sportingly firm and supportive, and better-bolstered and more accommodating than before.

The 3008 remains a five-seater. If you want a seven-seat Peugeot SUV, you should choose the 5008. For small families, the 3008 is ideally sized, and considerably more practical than the alternative 308 hatchback, which is cramped in the rear. The 3008 also offers a nice view out for passengers, and the feeling of space is further enhanced by a panoramic sunroof – standard on GT models and optional on the rest. 

Boot space

Another bonus of crossover SUVs is their voluminous and practical boots. The 3008 is no exception, and again it has improved on the previous model. The square, tall space offers 591 litres with the seats up and the seats split 60:40 via natty ‘Magic Flat’ remote-access handles in the load area; one tug sees a spring-loaded mechanism drop them down flat. This extends the load area to an estate-car-like 1670 litres, and you can even fold the front passenger seat down for full surf board-carrying mode, if you want. This all makes the 3008 one of the most versatile cars in the five-seat SUV class, even if a Skoda Karoq with its sliding and removable rear seats is even more useful.

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Peugeot is keen to showcase the tech features on the 3008, of which there are plenty. All models get DAB radio and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, while MirrorLink will hook into selected mobile apps. Automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors and a lane-departure warning system are also standard across the range. A neat high-tech feature at night is standard LED ambient interior lighting.

Move up the range and 180-degree colour reversing cameras, 3D TomTom sat-nav, voice recognition and external LED lights which illuminate the kerb with a Peugeot ‘lion’ logo when you unlock the car at night are included. But the showcase feature is the Peugeot i-Cockpit ‘virtual’ instrument panel, which is standard on all models.

This 12.3-inch dial pack is fully configurable. It can display traditional instruments, driver-assist information or full-width sat nav mapping. And as it’s mounted high up within the driver’s eyeline, Peugeot argues it’s safer and more intuitive than centre-screen sat nav. Incidentally, this is also why the steering wheel is so small.

GT Line and GT models have a wireless smartphone charging plate, full LED headlights and Audi-style LED scrolling indicators. Choose the top-line GT and you get an electric driver’s seat with fancy multi-point massaging and, for the ultimate in hands-free convenience, a ‘smart’ tailgate that opens and closes at the wave of a foot. A cool detail: all models have a neat ‘Magic Wash’ windscreen washer system that uses jets hidden in the wiper arms.

Premium audio comes courtesy of French brand, Focal. An optional hi-fi speaker system comprises 10 speakers, a triple-coil subwoofer and active 12-channel, 515-watt amplification. All cars get Bluetooth and a USB to make use of it.

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The all-turbo engine range offers an option for everyone in the 3008. Once you’re used to its odd throb, the three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech 130 punches above its weight; a 0-62mph time of 10.8 seconds makes the automatic-only 1.6 THP 165 alternative seem a bit of an indulgence. Most 3008 buyers will go for a diesel, though, and the range starts with a value-focused 1.6 BlueHDi 100 which lopes to 62mph in 13.1secs.

We haven't driven the 1.5 BlueHDi 130 diesel that we suspect will be the pick of the range - keep an eye on Motor1 for an updated review soon - bu the smooth, if now automatic-only 1.6 BlueHDi 120 is a good option if you want a diesel engine without a clutch to worry about. 

Also available is a 148bhp 2.0 BlueHDi 150, which can be upgraded to a 178bhp 2.0 BlueHDi 180 in range-topping GT trim (along with a standard EAT6 automatic gearbox).

All 3008 models have quite taut suspension to reflect the car’s focused demeanour. This also complements the unusually quick-acting steering, which makes the 3008 feel very darty at first. It’s hard to get a feel for the handling, such is its alacrity, which the relative lack of steering feedback does little to help. With time you do acclimatise, and may come to enjoy the responsiveness, but it will still come as a surprise for those used to, say, a Kia Sportage.

Ride quality is on the firm side, although it rarely becomes harsh. Peugeot has judged it well, as it gives the car a sporty feel without becoming uncomfortable. The sharper set-up means it doesn't wallow and roll about on twisting roads, either, which those with children in the back may appreciate.

Four-wheel-drive models are not available. However, Peugeot does offer a winter-friendly pack, called Advanced Grip Control, for the regular front-wheel-drive range. This comprises several driving modes controlled using a Land Rover-style rotary dial on the centre console.Electronic traction control is altered accordingly to maximise the bite of the tyres. For example, Mud mode will let the wheels spin a bit more, and also send drive only to the wheel it senses has more traction.

Recommended engine: 1.2 PureTech 130

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Euro NCAP awarded the 3008 five stars in 2016. Key to this is the standardisation on all models of a safety pack that includes autonomous emergency braking and a distance-alert warning system. Standard lane-departure warning is also fitted to all.

Move one trim up from base Active and buyers get the Peugeot Connect SOS safety system, which uses an onboard SIM card to offer on-call emergency assistance by pressing a button above the rear view mirror. It can also auto-call the emergency services if onboard crash sensors detect an accident – then use GPS navigation to reveal your location.

Other safety features on all but entry-level models include blind-spot detection (which shines a yellow warning light in the door mirror if there’s a car hidden from view), active lane-keeping and a driver alertness warning system. Range-topping GT models have ACC Stop adaptive cruise control, which can follow the car in front from motorway speeds down to a complete standstill without driver intervention on the accelerator or brake.

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Colours

Thirteen paint options are offered on the Peugeot 3008, two of which are 'free': solid Hurricane Grey or Bianca White. Metallic options comprise Cumulus Grey, Nimbus Grey, Amazonite Grey, Nera Black, Magnetic Blue and Sunset Copper. If they are a bit too normal for you, special paint options include Ultimate Red and Pearlescent White. You can option a contrasting Nera Black roof on Active and Allure models, while it’s actually standard on GT Line and GT versions.

Peugeot’s distinctive Coupe Franche paint is, surprisingly, also available on the 3008. This sees the rear of the car painted in a different colour from the front. Choose from Nimbus Grey and Nera Black, Amazonite Grey and Nera Glack or, for the ultimate head-turning contrast, Sunset Copper and Nera Black.

Trim Levels

Peugeot has a straightforward range of 3008 trims: Active, Allure, GT Line and GT. Active gets alloy wheels, but looks a bit basic because they are 17-inch rather than the 18-inch wheels of models above. It also lacks the bumper scuff plates and stainless steel door scuff plates that make other 3008s look more premium. It does have standard fog lights and a leather steering wheel, though. Importantly, the fully-electronic dials are also standard.

Allure adds a great deal extra. 3D Connected Navigation includes a three-year subscription to TomTom live updates, plus there’s voice recognition, all-round parking sensors (they’re rear-only on Active), power-folding door mirrors and a reversing camera with 180-degree vision. Safety tech is more comprehensive and the fabric dashboard trim is novel.

GT Line is a sportier look. Exterior trim is more intricate, there is a twin exhaust effect in the rear sports bumper and the 18-inch wheels have a two-tone diamond-cut surface. Full LED headlights are sharp and, inside, a black-look interior colour scheme includes part-leather effect sports seats and contrasting stitching. The i-Cockpit virtual instrument pack gains extra functionality and the dashboard gains a wireless smartphone cradle.

Key features of the top-spec GT include keyless entry, a full leather seating wheel, aluminium roof bars, a panoramic glass roof and enlarged 19-inch alloys. Peugeot bills it as the ultimate in luxury, hence it comes with heated front seats, a driver massage function and adjustable front seat squabs for aircraft-style comfort.  

Size and Dimensions

If you own the first-generation Peugeot 3008, time to get the tape measure out: the new one is bigger. It’s longer and fractionally wider, which may make a big difference in modern garages where every millimetre counts. It is, however, a little lower to the ground.

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If you like economical cars, the 3008 is for you. Only one model, the fizzy 1.6-litre turbo petrol, officially returns less than 50mpg. The volume-selling diesels claim more than 60mpg, and CO2 emissions are similarly impressive.

The most popular engines are particularly competitive. A 1.2 Puretech 130 claims 55.4mpg and sub-120g/km CO2 emissions. The 1.6 BlueHDi 120 is rated at 70.6mpg and 104g/km CO2. And if you really want a sub-100g/km CO2 car, choose the 99g/km 1.6 BlueHDi 100 – but remember the tax advantage for doing so no longer exists after April 2017.

One running costs stumbling-block could be tyres. The volume 3008 models have 18-inch wheels, with sporty 225/55 R18 rubber. These won’t be the cheapest to replace, particularly if you choose the optional traction-enhancing Active Grip Control option, which includes standard mud and snow tyres. At least all the rugged exterior trim (and standard parking sensors) should help you shrug off car-park scrapes.

Reliability and servicing

Peugeot doesn’t have the finest reputation for reliability. It is hoped the new platform used by the 3008 will herald an improvement in the brand’s reputation there. Early signs, based on evidence from the 308 hatchback, are good.

Peugeot offers a number of monthly-payment service plans, over defined terms. If you cover 10,000 miles a year, you can have three years’ all-inclusive servicing for £12.99 a month. If you cover more miles, your dealer will work out your own quote. And if you forget to pick this when buying new, you can go back and pay for it for up to 12 months after first registration.

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Prices for the Peugeot 3008 start from around £22k, which is a bit more than entry-level prices for rivals like the Nissan Qashqai, but the generous equipment easily justifies it. This buys you a 1.2 Puretech 130 Active but most buyers will be happy to make the price jump to Allure or GT Line. The 1.6 BlueHDi 100 Active that boasts sub-100g/km CO2 emissions costs almost £24k but while we haven't driven it yet, it's probably worth going for the 1.5 BlueHDi 130 - pr 1.6 BlueHDi 120 automatic. Ultimately, all the Peugeot 3008 models have competitive brochure prices - even the pricey range topping ones - but the BlueHDi 120 or 130, or PureTech 130 models are the best for balance of value, performance and running costs. 

The 2.0-litre BlueHDi 150 and 180 both start to push the Peugeot 3008 up to and well beyond the £30k milestone, when it starts to get hard to justify. 

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

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