Peugeot 3008 SUV review

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 the 3008 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 3008 to scoop numerous awards. Now, for 2021, the 3008 has been facelifted to update its looks and interior, and keep it competitive. The 3008 stands against the top-selling Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Ateca, Renault Kadjar, Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Kuga.

A broad range of petrol and diesel engines is offered, starting with a 129bhp 1.2-litre, returning up to 48mpg. 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. There's also a 179bhp 1.6-litre petrol capable of up to 43.3mpg, equipped with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 3008 Hybrid4 plug-in hybrid joined the line-up in 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 60.8mpg with CO2 emissions of 122-148g/km.

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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 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. The small steering wheel 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, 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. Peugeot hasn't messed around with this recipe too much for the facelifted car, which is a good thing - it still feels special with a bold exterior design.

The 3008 is available in a range of trim levels, and these have been renewed for the facelifted car. They now include Active Premium, Allure, Allure Premium, GT and GT Premium. 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 Hybrid versions are now available in every trim except for 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 second out of 75 cars in our 2020 Driver Power satisfaction survey.