Peugeot 3008 SUV review

Verdict - Is the Peugeot 3008 a good car?

The Peugeot 3008 has been one of our favourite medium-sized SUVs in recent years. Not only does it look stylish inside and out, 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 ensure 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.

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A broad range of petrol and diesel engines is offered, starting with a 129bhp 1.2-litre PureTech turbo petrol that returns fuel economy of up to 46mpg with emissions ranging from 138-167g/km. From mid-2023 this will be replaced with a 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) version, with 134bhp – up to 21bhp of which now comes from an electric motor. It feels better to drive, and it’s more fuel efficient.

A small petrol engine sounds unconventional for a family SUV, but this is our pick for town driving and anyone with a low-to-medium annual mileage. Advanced Grip Control system is an option that improves traction in combination with mud and snow tyres; four-wheel drive isn’t offered with standard petrol and diesel engines.

Midway through 2023 Peugeot announced that it’s phasing out the 129bhp 1.2-litre PureTech turbo petrol for a new mild-hybrid powertrain. The 134bhp 136 e-DSC6 powertrain now gets an updated version of the 1.2-litre PureTech combustion engine – with an improved turbocharging system – paired with a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission, plus an 898Wh battery. The brand says it’s 15 per cent more fuel efficient around town than before, according to official figures, and emits less CO2. 

The hybrid powertrain is able to shut off when decelerating and cruising steadily to save petrol, and the electric motors offer a little more pulling power when the engine is under high load. It’s a little more expensive than the PureTech 130 petrol engine, however, starting from £34,130 from the time of writing compared with the PureTech 130’s £32,780 price tag.

As before, there are three plug-in hybrid models which were introduced in 2020 – 180 and 225 models have 178bhp and 222bhp respectively and are both front wheel drive. The 296bhp 300 model gets motors at the front and rear and feels impressively quick, though we’d stick to the single-motor versions given the much lower price.

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 – 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 petrols 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.

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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’s usually found on the options list, even with premium manufacturers. 

The 3008 is available in a range of trim levels, and these were renewed in August 2022. Active Premium and Allure Premium trim levels have been dropped for Active Premium + and Allure Premium +, which sit below the GT specification to complete the lineup. For our money, Allure Premium + offers a good blend of value and kit, while the sportily styled GT is also popular with UK buyers. The Hybrid versions are available in every trim including Active Premium +, so there's greater freedom to choose a trim no matter the engine. 

Practicality is also taken care of, with plenty of space in the front, and enough room in the rear seats for two adults, but three might get uncomfortable back there after a while. Boasting a 520-litre boot, the 3008 is a better load-lugger than the Nissan Qashqai, while safety is top-notch thanks to a five-star crash-test score from Euro NCAP. The 3008 came 13th out of 75 cars in our 2022 Driver Power satisfaction survey, although in previous years it has finished as high as second place.

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.