Peugeot 3008 review – sleek petrol hybrid undercuts the EV, still pricey

Verdict – is the Peugeot 3008 a good car?

The arrival of petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrids broadens the pool of buyers the Peugeot 3008 range will appeal to, arriving slightly after the all-electric Peugeot E-3008. It has a unique and desirable design, both inside and out, with headline features like a 21-inch curved display no matter the trim level. Even the entry-level mild-hybrid is pricier than some fully-hybrid rivals, though, which could make the 3008 tricky to justify unless it’s offered on tempting finance deals.

Peugeot 3008 models, specs and alternatives

While we’ve got used to manufacturers launching the electric version of a car down the line, Peugeot took the opposite approach here, launching the zero-emissions Peugeot E-3008 first, quickly followed by the petrol hybrid 3008 we’re doing a deep dive on in this review.

In any case you get a mid-size SUV with swoopy looks and five seats, but the petrol 3008 is more affordable to buy outright, costing from just over £34,000 – that’s £10k less than the E-3008. Pick the plug-in hybrid and it sits somewhere in the middle with a starting price of just over £40k. Rival brand Renault offers both the cheaper Symbioz and slightly pricier Austral, while numerous other contenders include the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Karoq, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga.

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There are just two engine choices in the petrol 3008, so making a decision should be fairly easy once you’ve picked the car itself. The ‘self-charging Hybrid’ is fitted with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a small electric motor that can only propel the car at low speeds and for short bursts, but does a good job of assisting the combustion engine to make it more efficient. It can manage up to 52.5mpg and emits 122-143g/km of CO2. 

The plug-in hybrid gets a larger 1.6-litre petrol engine, a more potent electric motor and a far larger 21kWh battery pack, so it can travel for up to 55 miles on electricity alone. This cuts CO2 emissions to 19-20g/km and power is increased to 192bhp for a 0-62mph dash that’s over two seconds faster than the entry-level version.

Both come in Allure trim as standard, but can be upgraded to GT. The former isn’t badly equipped at all, with a 21-inch ‘panoramic curved display’, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and 19-inch alloy wheels. Upgrading brings 20-inch alloys, adaptive Pixel LED headlights, adaptive cruise control that can bring the car to a halt and set off again in traffic, and styling changes like a Black Diamond roof and 3D LED rear ‘Claw Effect’ lights.

So far we’ve had the opportunity to test the mild-hybrid version of the 3008, which packs in a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a small electric motor and battery. The latter can harvest some energy as the car slows down and use it for short bursts of electric-only driving, but mainly it gives the petrol engine a helping hand to improve efficiency.

The result is diesel-like fuel economy of up to 52.5mpg, which is slightly better (on paper at least) than the fully-hybrid Hyundai Tucson, while the Nissan Qashqai’s top figure of 55.4mpg pips both.

While the Hybrid’s battery has a capacity of 0.9kWh, the plug-in hybrid boasts a 21kWh battery pack and a 123bhp electric motor, so it can drive along on EV power alone for up to 55 miles. This sees its official economy figure soar to 356.2mpg, but you’ll only get this if you plug in frequently and take mostly short trips.

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How much will the Peugeot 3008 cost in tax?

The 3008 Hybrid in both Allure and GT trim comes in under £40,000, so it will cost the discounted rate of annual VED (road tax) which is currently £180 thanks to its hybrid status. Step up to the PHEV, though, and it bursts through the ceiling for the luxury car surcharge, so will be liable for a VED bill of around £600 in renewal years two to six.  

What will the Peugeot 3008  cost to insure?

The 3008 Hybrid sits in insurance groups 22 and 24 for the Allure and GT trims respectively, which compares favourably to the Nissan Qashqai in groups 21 to 32.

Peugeot is on a mission to push upmarket, but this hasn’t been entirely pain-free. We were critical of the Peugeot E-3008’s firm ride, partly as a result of its heavy battery and large alloy wheels. Thankfully, with a lot less weight to keep in check (around half a tonne less for the mild hybrid), and on the smaller 19-inch wheels of the Allure trim, the ride quality is no longer a major con, even if it’s still not class-leading.

The reasonably firm suspension does mean body lean is rarely an issue, with the car remaining flat and planted through most bends. Peugeot’s compact i-Cockpit steering wheel takes a bit of getting used to, but the fact it’s so light and responsive makes the 3008 feel willing to nip into gaps in town. Its lack of feel doesn’t really encourage you to push too hard, but in a family SUV that’s probably a good thing.

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Petrol models

Anyone who’s been spoilt by EVs in general or driven the 207bhp E-3008 may find the 134bhp of the 3008 Hybrid a bit underwhelming at first. Stick with it, though, and its 10-second 0-62mph sprint time is enough to keep up with traffic, and while you’ll never forget about them entirely, the shifts from the six-speed automatic are pretty smooth.

There’s a bit of noise from the petrol engine under acceleration, but it settles down quite nicely when you aren’t asking so much from it. We did, however, notice a bit of a delay between wanting to accelerate and the car moving forwards with conviction, which means you’ll need to look for sizeable gaps when pulling out into traffic.

Plug-in hybrid models

We haven’t got behind the wheel of the 3008 Plug-in Hybrid yet, but on paper it offers the quickest 0-62mph dash in the 3008 range, even pipping the E-3008. It’s fitted with a 1.6-litre petrol engine with 123bhp alongside an electric motor, for a combined 192bhp. It’s also worth noting that even in electric-only mode it can hit 83mph, so provided you have enough charge in the battery the petrol engine shouldn’t kick in even if your commute has a section of dual carriageway or motorway driving.

Electric models 

The Peugeot E-3008 actually launched slightly ahead of the regular 3008 lineup, and just one version is currently on offer with 207bhp sent directly to the front wheels. Read our in-depth Peugeot E-3008 review for our full verdict.

We’ve already mentioned Peugeot’s aims to take on the likes of Audi and BMW in the premium mid-size SUV class, and arguably its most credible threat is with its styling and interiors. The 3008 certainly boasts sharp lines and distinctive elements like Peugeot’s ‘Claw effect’ lighting.

Cabin quality impresses too, with attractive materials and a unique design that gives the front seats a cocoon-like feeling. The expansive 21-inch curved screen also makes a big statement when you sit in the car, and a separate row of controls beneath the central air vent makes navigating features a bit easier.

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Is the Peugeot 3008 infotainment and sat-nav system easy to use?

This is the latest evolution of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit layout, which traditionally sees the instruments perched above the dash, so you look over the small steering wheel instead of through it. The traditional binnacle has been swapped for a gigantic screen, but this does throw up its own issues. Namely, the infotainment touchscreen is quite far from the front passenger, making it quite a stretch if they want to pick music or input a route. There is, of course, voice control to get around some of these issues if you don’t mind talking to the car and learning which prompts work best.

It might have a sloped roof, but this doesn’t appear to have impacted interior space much at all. Both front and rear passengers should find they have enough space. There’s also a good amount of stowage bins and storage places for your wallet, drinks and snacks, so Peugeot has clearly thought hard about how families will use the 3008.

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Does the Peugeot 3008 have a big boot?

Coming in at 588 litres, the 3008’s boot stacks up rather well against rivals, easily trumping the 504 litres of the Nissan Qashqai. It’s slightly behind the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid’s 616 litres of space, although the Tucson mild-hybrid can only manage 503 litres. The Renault Symbioz’s 492 litre boot seems small in this company, but the rear bench is on sliders, so pushing it forwards frees up a maximum of 624 litres – so long as your passengers don���t mind.

Fold the seats down in the Peugeot 3008 and space increases to 1,653 litres, which should be more than enough room for taking the kids to uni or the tip run. Again, the Peugeot is up on the Nissan Qashqai here, which can manage just over 1,400 litres.

Peugeot’s effort appears to be paying off because the brand has elevated from an already-impressive ninth spot in our 2023 Driver Power survey to sixth out of 32 manufacturers in 2024. We’d prefer the share of owners with faults to be a bit lower than 20.8%, but this is still a way down on Tesla’s 37.9% of owners, despite the American brand coming second overall.

How safe is the Peugeot 3008?

We’re still waiting for the official Euro NCAP safety rating, but Peugeot has a good track record for making safe cars, and the 3008 is packed with lots of safety kit as standard.

All the features you’d expect are present and correct, from autonomous emergency braking that can spot pedestrians and cyclists as well as other vehicles, to Peugeot’s SOS & Assistance tech that can summon the emergency services in the event of an emergency.

Should you buy a Peugeot 3008?

The Peugeot 3008 enters into one of the most hotly-fought classes in the UK, as the mid-size SUV replaces the family hatchback or saloon as the car most families aspire to owning.

Unlike some popular picks like the Ford Kuga and Skoda Karoq, Peugeot has really set out its stall as offering something design-led and different from the norm. The upsides of this are a really eye-catching exterior and lavishly trimmed interior, with some touches that are sure to wow buyers in the showroom.

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The downside is largely the price, because even the entry-level 3008 Hybrid in Allure trim is currently more than £5,000 more expensive than the similarly-sized Renault Symbioz,while that car also boasts a full-hybrid engine and superior efficiency. 

Less weight and smaller wheels seemed to have improved the 3008’s ride quality – a bugbear of the E-3008 we tested – but it still doesn’t offer much in the way of feedback or enjoyment for the driver. At least it’s surprisingly practical, with one of the biggest boots in its class and plenty of interior space, despite its rakish looks.

What is the best Peugeot 3008 for low running costs?

If it fits your budget, the 3008 PHEV should be able to reduce your motoring bills. Its large battery means many drivers will effectively have an electric car for most trips, only troubling the petrol tank when they need to go further afield. Its low CO2 emissions will also net small Benefit-in-Kind bills, although at 8%, these will still be higher than for the E-3008 in the 2% bracket.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Peugeot 3008 range?

The Peugeot 3008 is a relatively pricey proposition in any spec, so we’d stick to the most affordable 3008 Hybrid in Allure trim for the best value. Owners will hardly be slumming it, because even Allure boasts some pretty high-end features, with GT really just adding some extra bells and whistles on top.

Peugeot 3008 alternatives

There is certainly no shortage of rivals in this class, so you’ll want to do your homework before taking the plunge. Both hybrid mid-size SUV and fully-electric alternatives are available, often with strong incentives and cheap finance or leasing deals.

Mid-size SUVs

• Renault Symbioz
• Nissan Qashqai
• Hyundai Tucson
• Ford Kuga
• Kia Sportage
• BMW X1

Electric mid-size SUVs

• Tesla Model Y
• Renault Scenic
• Skoda Enyaq
• Nissan Ariya
• Audi Q4 e-tron

How we tested the Peugeot 3008 

We got behind the wheel of the Peugeot 3008 in August 2024 on a mixture of British roads and in mild weather conditions.