Peugeot 3008 MPV (2009 – ) expert review

The Peugeot 3008 follows the company’s now well-trodden design ethos. That means a huge gaping grille, a distinctive nose, pronounced wheelarch flares and curvy rear lights. Few would call the 3008 pretty, but neither is the Nissan Qashqai, and the Skoda Yeti is more Hummer than handsome. LED daytime-running lights give the 3008 a sharper road presence and the 3008  HYbrid4 gets a high-gloss black rear spoiler and can be fitted with unique 17-inch alloy wheels.

After the awkwardness of the exterior, the cabin is pleasantly conventional, and is the best fitted to a Peugeot in many years in terms of both design and quality. There’s an Audi feel to the dash with solid and well laid out switchgear and a huge centre console that makes controls sit within easy reach. It’s a double-edged sword as it makes the driver feel cocooned in the seat, but does reduce interior space. Large windows and the optional full-length sunroof fitted to our test car means there’s plenty of light and a feeling of space.

Space and practicality is home territory for the Peugeot 3008. Its 512-litre boot is bigger than the Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Golf Plus, Citroen C4 Picassos and Ford C-Max, and the split-opening tailgate makes loading simple. A three-level adjustable boot floor is ingenious and makes organising large loads easy. Impressively the HYbrid4 3008 has the same boot space, thanks to unobtrusive positioning of its electric battery pack and motor. Inside, the huge amounts of glass make visibility first rate and help to increase the sense of space – not that occupants are left wanting in that department. Head, leg and shoulder room is first rate, and a flat floor in the back means three adults can squeeze in comfortably. It’s worth noting that the HYbrid4 can tow a braked trailer weighing a maximum of 500kg, considerably lower than the standard 3008, which can tow between 1,090 and 1,500kg. This is to prevent harm to the electric motor and regenerative braking systems fitted to the HYbrid4.

Comfortable and easy to drive, the Peugeot 3008 makes for an exceptionally able companion. Long distances are swallowed with ease thanks to a cossetting ride and a distinct lack of road noise. Drivers looking for B-road thrills should look elsewhere, however. Light steering makes parking easy but isn’t conducive to sharp handling although there’s lots of grip and minimal body roll. Thanks to its extra components – and weight – being located at the rear of the car, the HYbrid4 feels just as good to drive as the rest of the range.

Two versions of Peugeot’s strong 1.6 110 HDi are offered in the 3008, one of which uses exhaust gas recirculation which improves fuel consumption and reduces emissions. Both versions cover 0-62mph in 12.2 seconds and will reach a 112mph maximum. We found the 2-litre 150 HDi smooth, refined and punchy. With 250lb/ft of torque it reaches 62mph in 9.7 seconds with a 121mph top speed. The 1.6-litre petrol units offer 120 and 150bhp, the latter being the turbocharged THP 150 engine. The 120 and 150 cover 0-62mph in 11.8 and 8.9 seconds respectively with top speeds of 115 and 125mph. Most intersting is the HYbyid4 model, which combines a 2-litre diesel with 163bhp and a 37bhp electric motor, making it the world’s first diesel electric hybrid. It can reach 62mph in 9.1 seconds and is fitted with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Because the electric motor powers the rear wheels, it’s also possible to get the HYbrid4 out of some sticky situations which would leave the front-wheel drive 3008 stuck. It’s ideal for that snowy drive or grass car park, while not being a full 4×4 substitute for off-roaders. There’s a choice of Auto, Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV), Four-wheel drive (4WD) and Sport driving modes, with Auto optimising the car without driver input, ZEV holding the car in all-electric mode as much as possible, 4WD sending maximum power to the rear wheels and Sport providing a surge of electric power for better acceleration. ZEV mode is available when the battery is more than half charged, at speeds below 43mph and can power the 3008 silently for a few miles – long enough to drive through a village or small town.

With the range starting at £16k, and topping out at less than £22k, the Peugeot 3008 is comparable in price with the Nissan Qashqai, making it good value for money. Low emissions help the wallet, especially the diesels which emit less than 150g/km. Only the 163bhp auto emits more than 150g/km. All the diesels (163 apart) return more than 50mpg. The petrols are more costly, emitting between 165 and 179g/km of CO2, and returning fuel consumption in the high thirties. Insurance groups are low, and depreciation is on par with the Peugeot 308 hatchback. The HYbrid4 emits between 99 and 104g/km of Co2 depending upon trim level, which incredibly makes it as green as the 103g/km emitted by the Peugeot 107 city car, which has less than half the power and weight. It can also manage an astonishing average fuel consumption of 74.4mpg.

Peugeot doesn’t have the best reputation for build quality, although the Reliability Index, which tracks the cost and frequency of repairs under private warranty, rates them fairly highly. However, the 2009 J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey ranked Peugeot 24th out of 29 manufacturers. The Peugeot 3008 certainly feels better built, certainly with regard to the interior, and the engines are proven.

No problems here. The Peugeot 3008 scored a maximum five-star score in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. All models feature six airbags and the seatbelts feature force limiters to protect the occupants, ESP and hill-hold. Optional equipment includes directional headlights and a novel head-up display which pops out a small plastic screen between the instruments and windscreen.

All models in the Peugeot 3008 range come well appointed, with alloys, front fog lights, electric front windows and air-con. The Sport model adds park sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, an MP3-compatible audio system, height-adjustable passenger seat and a leather steering wheel. The Exclusive range-topper also features a full-length glass sunroof, automatic headlights and mirrors, head-up display with distance alert, tyre pressure monitoring and climate control. The HYbrid4 model is available in three trim levels called 99g, 104g and Limited Edition 104g. The 99g model gets all the hybrid technology, including stop and start and an auto ‘box, CD player, USB connection, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control, folding door mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The 104g model adds 17-inch alloy wheels, drivers lumbar support, sat-nav, Head Up Display and a seven-inch display screen. Finally, the Limited Edition HYbrid4 gets dark tinted headlamps with LED daytime-running lights, Pearl White paintwork, a panoramic sunroof, leather interior, enhanced leather steering wheel, numbered plaque and front parking sensors.

The Peugeot 3008 marks a real return to form for the French car maker. It has one of the best interiors in its class, is superbly practical and easy to drive. It’s well worth a look. The HYbrid4 is remarkable in that it offers performance, practicality and exceptional economy in one package.