Peugeot 3008 review @ MotorBar

“With just about every carmaker
now churning out SUVs, Peugeot’s
all-new 3008, priced from Ł22K to
Ł33K, looks good enough to take
conquest sales from the premium
brands including Jaguar, Mercedes,
and Land Rover/Range Rover...”

WHILE THERE ARE PLENTY OF SUVS and crossovers on offer, the thoroughbred models from the premium brands mentioned above — GLA (Mercedes), F-Pace (Jaguar), and even the Discovery and Evoque from the Land Rover and Range Rover stables — are all likely to be on the same shortlists. Be assured that this new generation 3008 — the 2017 European 'Car of the Year' — has undeniably earned the right to sit alongside each and every one of them.

You only have to see a 3008 in the metal to appreciate its wow-factor. Defined by bold, stylistically-polished lines with eye-catching detailing, it's fronted by a vertical chequered chrome-and-black 3D-effect grille emblazoned with a large 'Peugeot Lion' emblem. The beautifully integrated clear headlamps incorporate curved LED daytime driving lights, capped by a clamshell bonnet; framing the lower grille are deep air intakes and driving lights and a tough-looking skid plate. Kerb appeal this glamorous 3008 has in spades.

“You only have to see a
3008 in the metal to
appreciate its wow-factor.
Defined by bold,
stylistically-polished
lines with eye-catching
detailing, it’s fronted by
a vertical chequered
chrome-and-black
3D-effect grille
emblazoned with a large
Peugeot Lion...”

A high waistline and incurving lower door sculpting along with black wheelarch protectors define the flanks, while the sloping rear greenhouse adds a rakish air. The wide tailgate is bracketed by signature claw-pattern rear lights and slim 'letterbox' tailpipes at each corner. Eighteen-inch, two-tone satin black alloy wheels with diamond cut highlights complete the 3008's stylish ensemble.

Doubling up its appeal, the 3008 cuts the mustard on the inside too — classy, roomy and comprehensively specced. Plus there's a fine selection of powerplants available — Peugeot's award-winning 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine — 'International Engine of the Year' (2015 & 2016) — serves up 129bhp and can be partnered with a manual or automatic gearbox; others include 1.6 BlueHDi turbodiesels (99 and 120hp manual or auto), 2.0-litre BlueHDi (150 manual and 181hp auto), and a 165hp petrol automatic.

The 3008 is available in four trim levels — Active, Allure, GT Line and GT — each of them well stocked with kit. A must-have for 'real' SUVs is 4WD and the 3008 scores here too with its Advanced Grip Control. Standard-fit on Allure, GT Line and GT models (optional on the entry-level Active trim) it offers a less weighty system for optimising grip.

Essentially it's a 'smart' traction control system with five driver-selectable modes for a wide range of driving conditions: Standard, Snow, All Terrain, Sand, and ESP Off (giving the driver complete autonomy up to 31mph). To further improve traction, Grip Control models run on 18-inch 225/55 Mud and Snow tyres.

Swing open the driver's door and you'll be impressed — 'cheeky chic' sums up the 3008's cabin to a 'T'. Highlights are the sporty twin-cockpit layout and high-level, configurable head-up 12.3-inch screen that replaces a traditional instrument pack and which is viewed over the flattened top of the compact leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The digitised i-Cockpit display allows the driver to select from a variety of information modes at any time whilst driving, using a scroll button on the multifunction wheel. So you can choose what suits you best at any given moment, from a large digital speed readout with a trad style rev-counter and speedo to an active 3D navigation map and instructions. Eat your heart out, Jim (Kirk)!

“Swing open the driver’s
door and you’ll be
impressed — ‘cheeky
chic’ sums up the 3008’s
cabin to a ‘T’.
Highlights are the sporty
twin-cockpit layout
and high-level, head-up
configurable 12.3-inch
screen that replaces
a traditional instrument
pack and which is
viewed over the
flattened top of the
compact leather-wrapped
steering wheel...”

Complementing the I-Cockpit and sited centre-stage of the horizontally layered fascia is an eight-inch tablet-style touchscreen packed with infotainment and Comms functions. Underscoring this is a row of seven piano key-style toggle switches that jump you straight into the core menus such as entertainment, climate (air distribution and temperature control, etc, is done via the touchscreen's virtual buttons), vehicle settings, phone connection, and mobile apps.

The overall cabin ambiance is assuredly upscale with a well-considered mix of trims and high-end finishing. Particularly appealing is the tactile denim-look fabric and faux leather upholstery covering the sporty seats and echoed on the doors.

The bucket-style seats themselves are both supportive and comfortable, with good bolstering that while not overly hard is holding. You sit high off the floor for fine views out in all directions — especially important for the driver who enjoys a first-rate driving position and can see down the bonnet to accurately place the 3008. Personal space is commendable too, with a fist of headroom. Both front seats are height adjustable, with the driver also getting lumbar adjustment.

The deep and wide centre tunnel combined with the I-Cockpit set-up makes the driver feel very much an integral part of the man-machine partnership as much as the very-close-to-your-left-hand and agreeably chunky — almost sculpted — gearlever knob; better still, it's satisfying to use with a neat change action.

Seen over the flattened top rim of the compact steering wheel, your personalised driver information is easily taken in, while the Sport mode button ahead of the no-fuss drive-through electric park brake keeps the PureTech powerplant locked and loaded for when you fancy upping the pace.

Helping make sure you stay on the right side of the Law is the relevant posted speed limit and it's displayed on both crystal-clear displays. Keeping you connected and in-tune with the wider world is Peugeot's Connect SOS and Assistance (in an accident it automatically contacts emergency services with the car's exact location), 3D Connected Navigation with voice recognition for radio, telephony, and SatNav (key features include TomTom real-time traffic updates and alternative routes, local weather conditions, nearby petrol stations and prices, and local searches for addresses and contact info for any point of interest).

“Driving satisfaction is
boosted by the easy-
shifting six-speed
manual gearbox;
it makes being in the
right gear at the right
time a no-brainer;
even more so when you
press the Sport
button which makes the
already keen 3008 feel
ready to streak away
the instant you press the
loud-pedal...”

Standard-fit too is Mirror Screen (uses Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink for smartphone mirroring and functionality for text display and reading aloud, and media voice control) plus there's automatic wireless smartphone charging, a DAB radio, Bluetooth, and more than enough USB and 12v sockets.

Neither has Peugeot forgotten how much families need room for 'stuff'. They've incorporated plenty of in-cabin storage, the highlight of which has to be the butterfly-wing central front armrest: both halves of the lengthways-split padded armrest open up from their outer edge; the commodious underlying storage box is chilled with a high- level repositionable upper tray — amazingly, it's deep enough to swallow most of your arm!

There's a wealth of 'hi-tech' in this 3008 with safety covered by the likes of Distance Alert (warns of impending collision with either the vehicle in front or a pedestrian in the road; failure to react triggers Automatic Emergency Braking), Active Blind Spot Detection, dynamic stability control and anti-skid systems, Hill Assist Descent Control (for descending tricksy off-road slopes), Active Lane Keeping, Smartbeam Assistance (automatically switches the LED headlamps to main beam at night when conditions allow and dips automatically to prevent dazzling other drivers), and Speed Limit Recognition which reads speed limit signs and displays them on the digital instrument panel (it can also allow the cruise control to automatically adapt to the speed limit on any particular stretch of road).

Welcome too, particularly on long solo trips, is Driver Attention Alert which watches for any signs of inattention or drowsiness then, if necessary, gives you a timely wake-up call! Also very handy when parking or reversing is the 180-degree reversing camera; linked into the touchscreen, it can show multiple views including vehicles approaching from both sides and an overhead view of the environment immediately behind the car.

Other safety kit includes adaptive driver and front passenger airbags as well as side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags, automatic drive-away door-locking, automatic hazard light activation on hard braking, cruise control and speed limiter, driver-operated electric childproof door and window locking plus alerts for unfastened belts anywhere in the car on the move, full LED self-levelling headlights; LED foglamps with cornering function, and very cool sequential scrolling LED front indicators.

“At four-and-a-half
metres long the 3008
is small enough to be
compact on the road but
accommodating enough
for five passengers and
their luggage.
In fact the deep and
regular-shaped boot is
bigger than average,
putting 591 litres
(with the two-position
boot floor at its lowest
position)
at your disposal...”

You can also take for granted plenty of convenience kit including dual-zone climate control, one-touch front and rear power windows, powerfolding and heated door mirrors (with auto dipping when reversing), auto-dimming rearview mirror, auto lights and wipes, front and rear parking sensors, ambient cabin lighting, and privacy glass.

Travelling in the 3008's rear cabin is as pleasant as it is sitting up front; the seats are equally comfy and there's ample space for feet, knees and a full fist of headroom made better by restful easy-slide headrests.

Added to that are relaxing backrest angles and long outer armrests, a wide drop-down centre armrest that holds two cups, real-world-sized door bins and magazine pockets, reading spots, plus dedicated air-vents, together creating the perfect lounging area. Views out, if that's where your passengers like to look, are also good courtesy of the 3008's biggish windows.

When it comes to engines, the 1.2-litre PureTech is a very pleasant surprise — this 1,199cc three-pot unleaded-drinking unit is refined as it is responsive, dishing out plenty of torque and get-up-and-go from low revs. Most of the time you don't so much hear the PureTech as feel its eagerness; but when you do, it's an agreeably harmonious sound.

Driving satisfaction is boosted by the easy-shifting six-speed manual gearbox; it makes being in the right gear at the right time a no-brainer; even more so when you press the Sport button which makes the already keen 3008 feel ready to streak away the instant you press the loud-pedal.

It takes only a very short drive to be impressed by the way this 3008 rides — the handling is sharp and focussed but not at the expense of the ride, which is comfortable and fluent. The 3008's smaller-than-average steering wheel adds a fun sense of quick-wittedness to the chuckable handling; almost racing kart-like, but in a very cultured way. The suspension damps-out even pretty bad impacts on shabby blacktop and the strong and impressive brakes will kill your speed fast and without fuss. Good to drive, then? You betchya!

At four-and-a-half metres long the 3008 is small enough to be compact on the road but accommodating enough for five passengers and their luggage. In fact the deep and regular-shaped boot is bigger than average, putting 591 litres (with the two-position boot floor at its lowest position) at your disposal.

“Even more useful —
and being fitted from
October 2017 — is a
pull-out boot floor that
can slide out 30cm,
so reaching items at the
back of the boot is
never a problem; it can
also be locked in position
to aid loading, and even
used as a seat whilst
changing out of your
dirty dog-walking boots
or as an informal
picnic table...”

Lift the helpfully wide tailgate — it opens high, so no head-banging — and you'll be presented with a boot floor that sits flush with the load sill, making for the hassle-free loading. If you leave the boot floor in its upper position you'll also have a 'secret' deep underfloor storage area for smaller items. Usefully, the easily removable parcel shelf can be stored under the boot floor, where you'll also find a space-saver spare wheel.

Remote backrest releases in the boot sides make light work of folding down the 1/3:2/3-split rear seats — they fold completely flat, converting the rear cabin into a capacious 1,670-litre loadbay. If you're a towing kind of person you'll be pleased to know that even with the 1.2-litre engine you can haul 1,400kg.

Even more useful — and being fitted from October 2017 — is a pullout boot floor that can slide out 30cm, so reaching items at the back of the boot is never a problem; it can also be locked in position to aid loading, and even used as a seat whilst changing out of your dirty dog-walking boots or as an informal picnic table.

Talking of picnic tables, the front passenger seat folds fully flat and can also provide a makeshift table; more beneficial is the fact that this extends the loading length to up to three metres — perfect for that full-size Christmas tree! Additionally, there's also a small load-through hatch for skis and suchlike.

The GT Line 3008 is probably the range's best 'bundle', offering standout body styling, a chic upscale interior with driver-friendly cutting-edge 'assists' and desirable kit such as Grip Control and the brilliantly usable head-up I-Cockpit In addition, it comes with decidedly sporty seats, an eager and refined powertrain plus a comfortable ride. A conquest-sales-stealing SUV if ever there was one! ~ MotorBar

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