Peugeot 3008 SUV review

The Peugeot 3008 is now a fully fledged SUV, unlike its high-riding MPV predecessor. Not only does this mean it’s more in tune with current trends, but Peugeot has also pulled out all the stops to make the 3008 one of the best cars in a very competitive class.

It’s better than its predecessor in almost every way, but stands out for its design, build quality and practical interior. The 3008 stands against the top-selling Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Ateca, Renault Kadjar, Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Kuga.

Best medium SUVs

A broad range of petrol and diesel engines is offered, starting with a 129bhp 1.2-litre and a 179bhp 1.6-litre petrol, returning between 39.6 and 47.2mpg. A small petrol engine sounds unconventional for an SUV, but this is our pick for town driving and anyone with a low-to-medium annual mileage.

The 3008 Hybrid4 plug-in hybrid joined the line-up in January 2020, and there are two versions to choose from. The four-wheel-drive Hybrid4 model produces 296bhp, offers an incredible turn of pace and uses two electric motors, while the front-wheel-drive Hybrid model has less power, only one electric motor but, importantly, a much lower price.

Besides the hybrids, the diesel models are most efficient with the entry-level 1.5-litre BlueHDi producing 128bhp, as well as a 2.0-litre diesel offering 175bhp. Of these, the 1.5-litre (badged BlueHDi 130) is the best all-rounder capable of 55.1mpg with CO2 emissions of 137-154g/km.

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 Hybrid4 carries 340kg of extra weight compared to the petrol, and you can feel it through corners. Where the petrols feel quite agile, you get the impression that the Hybrid4 isn’t as comfortable.

Another highlight is the interior design and its clever use of materials, potentially making it the French manufacturer’s best-ever place 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 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.

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The 3008 is available in a range of trim levels: Active, Allure, GT Line, GT Line Premium and GT. Each costs around £2,000 more if you decide to upgrade. For our money, Allure offers a good blend of value and kit; the GT model is only available with the biggest diesel engine and so is rather expensive. The front-wheel-drive ‘Hybrid 225’ model is available in Allure, GT Line and GT trims, while the four-wheel-drive ‘Hybrid4 300’ version is only available in GT trim and has a price comfortably in Audi and BMW territory.

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 second out of 75 cars in the 2020 Driver Power satisfaction survey.