Peugeot 3008 review @ MotorBar

“The demand for SUVs hasn’t abated
and, despite the acrimonious fall-out
from Dieselgate, many motorists
are still more than happy to drive with
an economical turbodiesel under
their bonnet...”

WHICH IS THE PERFECT INTRO for Peugeot's impressive family-friendly SUV, the oh-so-handsome 3008. Although launched less than a year ago, its trophy cabinet is already bursting with awards — including one for winning the prestigious International Car of the Year 2017.

And while you can have yours with a petrol engine, if that's what you want, Peugeot haven't abandoned the torquey and mpg-stretching benefits of diesel. If unleaded is your poison you can choose between a 130PS 1.2-litre PureTech Engine of the Year-winner three-cylinder turbo and a four-pot 1.6 with 165PS; diesels are über-clean BlueHDi technology units of 1.6 and 2.0-litre capacities with 100, 120, 150 or 180PS. We've been driving the popular 120PS (118bhp) automatic in the well-dressed GT Line trim which gets you change from £30K.

“Two-wheel drive
or four? The 3008’s
Advanced Grip Control
system offers the best of
both. Like the name
implies, it delivers the
optimum traction for a
range of challenging
conditions; along with
the everyday Normal
default, there’s a driver-
selectable choice of
modes for tackling Snow,
All-Terrain (mud, damp
grass, etc), and Sand...”

Whichever model you end up parking on your drive will get the neighbour's curtains twitching. It's an eye-catcher, this new 3008. Fronting its athletic lines is an upright chequered chrome-and-black grille sporting Peugeot's 'lion' badge, capped by a classy-looking clamshell-style bonnet and sleek projector headlights with distinctively curved LED daytime running lights and a tough-looking scuff-plate underscoring the 'sports' design front bumper. A high waistline runs along the flanks and the roofline runs back to the tailgate to create a 'soft' coupe look.

So, two-wheel drive or four? The 3008's Advanced Grip Control system offers the best of both. Like the name implies, it delivers the optimum traction for a range of challenging conditions; along with the everyday Normal default, there's a driver-selectable choice of modes for tackling Snow, All-Terrain (mud, damp grass, etc), and Sand.

This is all achieved using a 'smart' electronically-controlled differential and is available as an option across all trim levels — on the GT Line it adds just £470 to the total drive-home price, and if you tick the box you also get proper Mud & Snow tyres on the 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels to further help traction. A Hill Descent Control button on the centre console adds extra peace of mind when descending slippery slopes off-road.

These latest generation 3008 models are larger than their predecessors, measuring 4.5 metres from nose to tail. A longer wheelbase provides more space throughout the interior with better rear legroom and more headroom front and back. But get aboard — large door openings and keyless operation make it easy — and if you thought the exterior looks great you'll definitely be impressed by the cabin.

And it's good to find that there's practicality along with panache: deep lower door sections keep the sills — and your clothing — clean in dirty weather. Another feature that's as fun as it is practical are the LED courtesy approach lights built into the door mirrors — when triggered in darkness they project a bright white 'Peugeot lion' onto the ground alongside the front doors.

Upolstered in a chic mix of leather-effect and denim-look fabrics with leather-look bolstering and double stitch detailing, the seats are as comfy and supportive as they appear — and provide a fine view over the bonnet for that essential (and safer) 'commanding' driving position. Headroom is honestly generous — there's two fists of it — and there's plenty of room around your elbows for wheel twirling.

“The 1.6 BlueHDi
turbodiesel is a popular
choice for good reason —
with a real-world
economy of 53.8mpg and
low CO2 emissions
(108g/km), this unit offers
not just good running
costs but it feels keen
and eager in everyday
driving...”

A twin-lidded armrest with butterfly-wing opening separates the front seats (each side opens to favour the seat occupier closest to it) and underneath is a huge, lit, and chilled compartment with a repositionable tray. A pair of illuminated cupholders sits ahead of the armrest and close to the elegant selector lever you'll find a Sport program switch along with an engine Start push-button.

The selector lever is as stylish as the rest of the cabin's detailing: pressing the P on the top of the selector knob engages Park; pull it back through R and N to D; press the M button to change from Drive to permanent manual mode, with up and down shifting using the steering-mounted paddles. Another neat touch: when you switch off the engine the transmission automatically engages Park and the electric parking brake is also applied for you.

Power-adjustable lumbar is standard for the driver while the optional driver's massage seat (£580; but that also get you heated front seats) offers relaxing in-car kneading served up with a satisfying mix of multiple massage patterns (cat's paw, wave, stretch, etc) and intensities. Mmmm!

The front cabin is of the twin-cockpit design with a wide and high central console; there's a classy mix of trim materials and finishings, all nicely tactile — and it all looks far more upmarket than Peugeot are charging for it.

The 3008's i-Cockpit is striking, the highlight being the compact full grain perforated leather steering wheel with flattened top and bottom rim sections that goes hand-in-hand with easy viewing of the high-level 12.3-inch digital instrument panel; it's brilliant, like having a hi-def head-up display not just for your speed but for everything.

Not unlike Audi's Virtual Cockpit, Peugeot's i-Cockpit instrument panel offers the driver multiple display modes; all crystal clear and easily switched in an instant using the button on the multifunction wheel — not only can the driver change the size and look of the 'dials' but can choose to show only the information that's important to them, including the active 3D mapping as a full background. Speed limit recognition is standard; the posted limit is shown immediately below the digital speed readout in the driver's display so you'll never be in any doubt as to how fast you're going — or how fast you should be going!

“Peugeot’s i-Cockpit
instrument panel offers
the driver multiple
display modes; all crystal
clear and easily switched
in an instant using the
button on the
multifunction wheel —
not only can the driver
change the size and look
of the ‘dials’ but can
choose to show only the
information that’s
important, including the
active 3D mapping as
a full background...”

Along with all the infotainment displays, the main mapping can still be shown on the 8-inch tablet-style touchscreen centrally positioned on the fascia — it's mounted high to match eye-level viewing with the instrument screen (just a quick horizontal sweep takes in both). And it comes loaded with all the latest comms systems.

Immediately below the touchscreen is a strip of seven one-touch toggle switches (they're great to use) for jumping into main menus for music, climate, navigation, etc; under this is another line of non-slip one-touch switches for secondary settings such as the heated seats (3-stage), heated front and rear screens, etc. Adjustment of the dual-zone climate control system is done by fingertip via the touchscreen.

Comms features are comprehensive with 3D Connected Navigation, TomTom Live updates, Mirrorscreen (Mirrorlink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto) for foolproof smartphone interfacing, voice recognition (for radio, navigation and telephony), a decent six-speaker MP3-compatible DAB radio, Bluetooth, a good supply of USB and 12V power sockets, and WiFi smartphone charging. You also get Peugeot's Connect SOS and Assistance which is invaluable in the event of an accident.

Travelling in the back of the 3008 is as satisfying as being up front — unless of course you're the driver! Despite the all-black colourways, the rear cabin feels pleasantly airy, helped by long, deep windows and, for passengers who like their privacy, there's dark-tinted glass from the B-pillars back.

Space-wise there's a fist of headroom even though you sit higher than those ahead of you. A wide, padded centre armrest with built-in cupholders, and well cushioned seats with good knee room and plenty of foot room guarantees that two adults will be very relaxed even on the longest trips. If you must, then a third can fit in easily enough and as there's no floor tunnel intrusion all six feet can co-exist happily.

Adding to the ease of travelling in the back are large door bins, elasticated net magazine pouches, air vents and, for those who like to 'swing', damped grab handles. Adding to the refined ambiance is the fact that the engine is barely heard. Those carrying youngsters will appreciate the Isofix child seat fittings (two in the back and one on the front passenger seat) as well as the rear child looks operated by a switch on the driver's door.

With 591 litres available, the 3008's boot is more than able to cope with luggage for four adults; the almost square boot is deep and clean-sided with a two-level floor, accessed via a wide, high-opening tailgate that makes loading easy. Rather than a clumsy roller blind there's a more practical lifting rear parcel shelf luggage cover that's quick and easy to remove.

“The powered tailgate
opens and closes quickly
and you can even open
it when your hands and
arms are full — just
waggle your foot under
the rear bumper and the
tailgate rises up for you.
Even if you don’t do the
foot thing, the powered
tailgate can be opened
(and closed) from the
fascia-button, the tailgate
itself or from the
key-fob...”

When it's time to haul some cargo the 3008 steps-up willingly. Pull the release levers in the boot and the 2/3:1/3 rear seatbacks spring forwards and fold perfectly flat to create a seamless loadbay that can swallow 1,670 litres.

A very worthwhile option is the motorised and hands-free operation tailgate. Not only does the powered tailgate open and close quickly (those of some rivals can be frustratingly slow) but you can even open it when your hands and arms are full — just waggle your foot under the rear bumper and the tailgate rises up for you. Even if you don't do the foot thing, the powered tailgate can be opened (and closed) from the fascia-button, the tailgate itself or from the key-fob.

Adding to the versatility is a ski-hatch in the second row as well as a fold-down backrest on the front passenger seat — making it ideal as a spur-of-the-moment picnic table or when carrying very long and large items. And should you wish to tow, the 120PS 3008 can haul a braked 1,300kg.

The GT Line sits just below the range-topping GT and as such is comprehensively kitted-out with all the 'essentials' such as one-shot windows, powerfolding door mirrors (on demand and automatically on locking and leaving), reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto lights and wipes, electric parking brake (with Hill Assist), cruise control and speed limiter, and LED interior ambient lighting, as well as all the items we've mentioned throughout this review.

Safety kit is something else Peugeot haven't stinted on with features like Distance Alert (warns of a possible collision risk with a vehicle ahead or a pedestrian in your path), Active Safety Brake (fail to respond effectively to a possible collision warning and it brakes for you), Intelligent Emergency Braking (increases the braking effort if the driver isn't doing enough), along with active systems such as Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Anti-skid, Active Lane Departure Warning, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, Smartbeam automatic headlamp dipping, driver fatigue alert, tyre pressure monitoring, and front, side and rear proximity warnings.

Along with a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating there are adaptive driver and front passenger airbags, as well as driver and front passenger side and rear curtain airbags, full LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps (include static cornering function), LED taillights, and those very cool LED sequential scrolling front indicators you also see on top-of-the-range Audis.

“It’s unlikely than any
3008 drivers will be going
hell-for-leather, but
nevertheless this
crossover is one very
chuckable piece of kit.
Its handling skills are
well honed, yet they
haven’t compromised the
compliant ride quality. Better still, the compact-
steering wheel that’s
part and parcel of the
i-Cockpit only adds to the
steering’s quick and
responsive character...”

The 1.6 BlueHDi turbodiesel we've been driving is a popular choice and for good reason — with a real-world economy of 53.8mpg and low CO2 emissions (108g/km), this unit with Stop&Start is a good choice and not just for running costs; top speed is a perfectly amenable 115mph while zero to 62mph acceleration takes 11.6 seconds.

More important than the benchmark paper figures is how it feels in everyday driving, which is keen and eager, particularly in Sport mode when you can harvest all the 221lb ft of torque. Shifts from the six-speed autobox are smooth and refined enough to go unnoticed, which is exactly what drivers want and appreciate.

It's unlikely than any 3008 drivers will be going hell-for-leather, but nevertheless this crossover is one very chuckable piece of kit. Its handling skills are well honed, yet they haven't compromised the ride quality — in fact it has an especially comfortable and compliant ride thanks to a suspension set-up that buffers you from the worst potholes while not degrading the 3008's sharp roadholding. The compact steering wheel that's part and parcel of the i-Cockpit only adds to the steering's quick and responsive character.

The most telling thing we can say about the 3008 is that we really, really, really didn't want to give it back when our week with it was up. It's a pleasure to live with, a pleasure to drive, looks great inside and out, and packs in a lot of kit and safety equipment for the money. Pop down to your nearest Peugeot showroom and drive a 3008 for yourself. But watch out — you're likely to end up taking one home with you! ~ MotorBar

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