New Peugeot 3008 SUV Review

In you're looking for a mid-sized SUV, this one of the cars that you need to seriously consider. The Peugeot 3008 SUV range now starts from £749 for the Active Premium diesel. No petrol versions of the 3008 can currently be ordered, but it’s good to see that the Plug-In Hybrid 3008 models have all come down in price by £500 (section updated July 2021).

Peugeot 3008 Motability Advance Payment Offers Peugeot 3008 PHEV Motability Advance Payment Offers 

Any car maker wanting to develop, build and sell a Crossover SUV in today's crowded market knows that the product concerned is really going to have to stand out. There are, after all, so many brands jostling for space in this segment. Has this improved version of Peugeot's second generation 3008 model got what it takes?

This 3008 slots into the middle of Peugeot's SUV line-up, just above the supermini-based 2008 and just below the larger and more luxurious seven-seat 5008. Whereas the first generation 3008 competed directly against the most affordable Nissan Qashqai and SEAT Ateca-shaped mid-sized SUVs, this MK2 model was moved a little more up-market to compete with slightly larger and more sophisticated mid-sized models like Volkswagen's Tiguan, Ford's Kuga and the Mazda CX-5. It shares its EMP2 chassis and engineering with the PSA Group's other mid-sized SUVs, the Citroen C5 Aircross, the Vauxhall Grandland X and the DS 7 Crossback.

Under the skin, most of the mechanicals are shared with the French maker's 308 family hatch, including the sophisticated EMP2 platform, which means that, as ever, the 3008 is built around a front wheel drive platform. The engine line-up is carried over from other models in the brand's range. That means the majority of customers will continue to choose the 130bhp three cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech petrol powerplant, offered with either manual or automatic transmission. There's also an auto-only 1.6-litre PureTech 180hp petrol unit. And a 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel with 130hp, also only available with the EAT8 auto.

There’s also a pair of plug-in 'HYBRID' versions which use a 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine mated to an 80kW electric motor. The electrified driving range varies between 34-36 miles. Hopefully these versions will be available to order through the Motability Scheme soon.

On the move, the compact steering wheel allows for wrist-flick direction changes. If the development team had been able to give the car a little more steering feel, we might even have called it quite fun to drive. And it's still one of the best-riding Crossovers of its kind.

This second generation 3008 was already a much sleeker-looking thing than its predecessor and the looks have been further sharpened here. Restyled headlights flank a smarter frameless grille, while gloss black side scoops and a painted treadplate are integrated within a fresh bumper design. At just 4,450mm in length, this remains one of the more compact models in its segment, yet very class-competitive interior dimensions have kept the cabin feeling acceptably spacious, as you'll discover when you take a seat behind the wheel.

Here, as usual with Peugeot's i-Cockpit design, you're required to view the instrument binnacle over the rim of the usual small steering wheel, rather than through its spokes, the binnacle in question being of the virtual digital kind, with traditional gauges replaced by a big 12.3-inch screen. A further 10-inch screen on the centre stack comes with seven elegant piano 'toggle switches' providing direct access to main control functions, including the radio, Connected 3D Navigation and vehicle settings. Plusher models incorporate into this display an 'Amplify' option that means you can quickly change things like ambient lighting and music settings - and even add in cabin fragrances and massaging seat intensity. Two adults can be comfortably accommodated in the rear; three would be a bit of a squash on long journeys.

Luggage space is more generous than the external dimensions might suggest - rated at 520-litres. Fold the second row of seats flat and this results in a total luggage capacity of 1580-litres, one of the largest and most versatile load capacities in the segment. The folding bench seat has a 2/3 - 1/3 'Magic Flat' capability to optimise loading with a flat floor. The very original adaptable moving boot floor, initiated on the original 3008, has been evolved with two positions to allow the optimisation of boot space and removable side-panels that can be affixed to the side boot trim.

If you were buying this car outright and not leasing it through the Motability Scheme, prices generally sit in the £27,000 to £39,000 bracket. There are three main trim levels - 'Active', 'Allure' and 'GT', each built upon by an intermediate level called 'Premium'.

Whichever variant you decide upon, equipment levels are pretty complete. Connectivity is taken care of by facilities like MirrorScreen smartphone linking, induction Smartphone recharging and 3D connected navigation with TomTom traffic reports. TomTom connectivity also delivers information that could be essential to your journey on things like local weather, car parks and the location of service stations. There's also the Peugeot Connect SOS & Assistance system that'll automatically alert the emergency services in the event of an accident.

As for safety, Peugeot is offering what it calls 'Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert', a system that combines autonomous braking with a lane departure warning system. There's also a Driver Alert Warning function which will warn you if the car notices fatigue in your driving reactions. Other systems include Automatic High Beam Assistance, to automatically switch between high beam and low beam depending on the lighting conditions and oncoming traffic; Speed Sign Detection; Adaptive Cruise Control with a Stop function; an Active Blind Spot Monitoring System; and Park Assist, which allows the vehicle to park itself with minimum input from the driver. There are also useful 'Visiopark' all-round camera view systems if you want them.

Peugeot's BlueHDi diesel engines have already proved themselves to be paragons of cleanliness and frugality in the brand's other models and that's carried forward here. This second generation 3008 design's lighter weight and sleeker bodywork also helps, plus, as you would expect, there's an 'S&S' engine stop & start system to cut the powerplant when you don't need it, stuck at the lights or waiting in traffic.

Let's get to the WLTP figures. The BlueHDi 130 diesel auto variant manages up to 56.3mpg and up to 136g/km of CO2. Even if you go for the PureTech 1.2-litre petrol unit, you'll still be getting up to 47.2mpg on the combined cycle and up to 146g/km of CO2 from the manual model. For the 1.6 PureTech auto, it's up to 39.6mpg on the combined cycle and up to 165g/km of CO2.

For really frugal running cost returns you'll need one of the clever HYBRID plug-in variants, although as we've already said these aren't currently available to order through the scheme.

A car like this is a bit of a lifestyle choice, which means that it needs to be able to change aspects of your motoring lifestyle; the atmosphere you drive in; the way you can use the cabin instruments; the kind of mobility choices you can make at journey's end. A 3008 makes a difference in all these areas in a way that no other car in this class can.

Of course, it also needs to get the basics right too. As before, this is one of the most spacious and efficient cars in its segment. And there are shades of real premium quality inside. As for the drawbacks, well Peugeot certainly isn't shy in charging a higher Advance Payment for it (compared to say the Vauxhall Grandland X), the diesel engine can be a little noisy when pushed and other models in the sector still handle better - though few of these ride the bumps as well. In summary, this remains a very sophisticated kind of compact SUV. Crossovers, it seems, have moved on. To find out how far, try driving one of these.

People with a disability and carers who choose a new Peugeot 3008 through Motability will receive a brand new car, delivered by a Motability Specialist at a local Peugeot dealership, complete with insurance, servicing and maintenance, full breakdown assistance, replacement tyre cover, windscreen repair or replacement cover plus a mileage allowance of 60,000 miles over three years.