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 Peugeot 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, 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 48mpg with emissions ranging from 133-165g/km. 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. Peugeot’s 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.

The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid plug-in hybrid models 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 hybrid versions, 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 122-157g/km. From May 2022, Peugeot has dropped all versions with a manual gearbox, in line with the latest Peugeot 308 and Peugeot 508. All 3008s now come with an eight-speed automatic instead.

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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 plug-in hybrid 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 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. 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 were renewed during the facelift. Up until recently, they were Active Premium, Allure, Allure Premium, GT and GT Premium. For our money, Allure offers a good blend of value and kit, while the sportily styled GT is also popular with UK buyers. 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. The range is now being slimmed down, though, so you can no longer order brand-new versions of the Allure or GT Premium, which makes the Allure Premium our pick if buying new.

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 50th out of 75 cars in our 2021 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.