Peugeot 3008 review - a great all-round family SUV

Verdict - Is the Peugeot 3008 a good car?

The Peugeot 3008 has been one of our favourite mid-sized SUVs in recent years. Not only does it look stylish inside and out, but it’s also good to drive, safe, spacious enough for families and pretty cheap to run. A choice of efficient petrol mild hybrid, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains ensures there’s plenty of choice and customer satisfaction impresses, too.

Peugeot 3008 models, specs and alternatives

When the Peugeot 3008 was reborn as a fully-fledged SUV, instead of a high-riding MPV, Peugeot pulled out all the stops to make it one of the best cars in a very competitive class.

Its design, build quality and practical interior were improved in every way, even beating some premium rivals, leading the Peugeot 3008 to scoop numerous awards. The 3008 was facelifted in 2021 to update its looks and interior and keep it competitive. Rivals of the 3008 include the top-selling Nissan Qashqai, along with the SEAT Ateca, Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan, MG HS and Ford Kuga, to name just a few.

It’s also worth noting that the order books have already opened for the all-new Peugeot 3008, which is due to arrive in showrooms during 2024. It gets a very sharp and coupe-style new look, and while the electric E-3008 sits front and centre, the range will also include plug-in hybrid and hybrid versions.

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A range of engine options is available, including a petrol, a mild-hybrid petrol, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid. The range starts with a 1.2-litre petrol engine costing from just under £33,000, while the petrol mild hybrid is the next step up in terms of price at just over £34,000. The 1.5-litre diesel option is around £600 more expensive than that, and the plug-in hybrids are quite a big jump up, with the 178bhp version costing £5,000 more than the diesel at the time of writing, making it just under £40,000 in total. The 222bhp version is more expensive, still, at just under £41,000. Specify a higher trim level, of course, and this pushes the price up even further.

A small petrol engine sounds unconventional for a family SUV, but it works well for town driving and anyone with a low-to-medium annual mileage. The mild hybrid offers better fuel economy and doesn’t cost much more, so is worth your consideration if you have a bit of extra wiggle room in your budget.

The mild hybrid powertrain is able to shut off the petrol engine when decelerating and cruising steadily to save fuel, and the electric motors offer a little more pulling power when accelerating, although it’s barely noticeable in practice. 

There are now two plug-in hybrid models which were first introduced in 2020 – 180 and 225 models with 178bhp and 222bhp respectively, both with front-wheel drive. An even more powerful version was previously offered but later discontinued – it’s hardly missed, as the remaining models offer plenty of power at a lower price, though they are still expensive in their own right.

Besides the hybrid versions, the diesel model is the most efficient, with its 1.5-litre BlueHDi engine producing 128bhp and capable of up to 54mpg. From May 2022, Peugeot dropped all versions with a manual gearbox, in line with the latest Peugeot 308 and Peugeot 508. All 3008s – bar the Hybrid 136 with its six-speed automatic transmission – now come with an eight-speed automatic as standard.

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From behind the wheel, it’s easy to forget that the 3008 is a big car. Even in sharp corners, there’s hardly any pitch or roll to upset your passengers' stomachs, while petrol models feel a bit more lively than the diesels. The hybrid models carry between 440kg and 510kg of extra weight compared with the entry-level 1.2-litre petrol, and you can feel it through corners. Where the petrol versions feel quite agile, you get the impression that the plug-in hybrid isn’t as comfortable tackling a challenging road. The compact steering wheel that Peugeot favours as part of its i-Cockpit interior design is easy to use, which is as much of a benefit in car parks as on the open road.

Another highlight is the interior design and its clever use of materials, making it one of the French manufacturer’s best-ever places to sit. The dashboard is stylish and contemporary, but not at the cost of simplicity or ergonomics. Its eight-inch touchscreen is sharp and attractive and every Peugeot 3008 is fitted with the brand’s 12.3-inch i-Cockpit digital instrument display – a feature that you’d ordinarily expect to cost extra, even with premium manufacturers. 

Peugeot has simplified its trim levels in recent times, so now the 3008 is available in either Active Premium+, Allure Premium+ or GT trim. We’d probably stick to Allure trim as the best blend of value and kit for the money, though the sportily-styles GT trim is proving to be popular with UK buyers.

What about buying a used or nearly new Peugeot 3008?

The Peugeot 3008 is stylish, easy to drive, spacious and has a wide range of efficient engines. It’s a great used buy for all those reasons, plus our Driver Power survey showed that it’s great to own as well. A newer model with some warranty left will have plenty of appeal but even earlier 2017 and 2018 models are appealing thanks to lower prices and efficient, good-value diesel engines.

What’s its history?

The first Peugeot 3008 arrived in 2010. It was part SUV and part MPV, with some interesting engines (including a diesel hybrid) and good practicality, but ultimately it was not a class-leader and didn’t make much of an impact.

The second-generation model that came out in 2017 totally changed the 3008’s image. Its hugely updated interior, striking looks, efficient engines and high level of equipment meant that it was far more appealing than its first-generation predecessor.

Read the full Peugeot 3008 Mk2 used review...

Hybrid versions were added to the range in 2020, adding even more options to the engine range, and then in 2021 the 3008 was updated with a new look to match other Peugeot models. 

Used Peugeot 3008 (Mk1 2010-2017)

The first-generation Peugeot 3008 MPV is really cheap to buy, because it depreciated quickly and is rather unloved. It has some positive attributes, such as a practical interior, efficient engines and a decent amount of kit for the money, but it’s ultimately a dull car that feels quite old-fashioned and there are many rivals that are better value.