Peugeot 3008 SUV (2016 - 2020) review

Peugeot is attempting to move its product range upmarket, and that’s certainly reflected in the 3008’s list prices. It’s significantly more expensive to buy than key rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca, putting it putting it in line with the Honda CR-V and Toyota CH-R. The car’s resale values will play a big part in the amount you pay to run the car long-term, though, and the Peugeot’s desirability ensures that these are robust. The Peugeot’s fuel efficiency figures are good for the class, too, and that’ll result in reduced running costs and, for company car users, benefit-in-kind tax bills. The latest addition to the range is an impressive plug-in hybrid model, called the Hybrid 4, but again its pricing is on the expensive side, with the most affordable model costing well over £35,000.

If the impression of quality is anything to go by, the latest generation 3008 is well made. As a brand, Peugeot scored very well in the 2019 JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study, well enough, in fact, to top the leaderboard of manufacturers outright. Our owner reviews don’t report too many mechanical defects, either. Peugeot was the best manufacturer overall in JD Power's 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study, a rise from eighth the previous year. So we’re hopeful the 3008 will prove to be a dependable machine, and it’s also covered by Peugeot’s standard (and extendable) three-year/60,000-mile warranty.

The amount of safety kit you get as standard will depend on which trim level you go for, but importantly, even the most basic car has measures that include autonomous emergency braking, speed limit recognition and lane departure warning, on top of the airbags and stability control that you expect as a given. Allure cars add blind spot detection, lane-keeping assist, driver attention assist and automatic high-beam assistance, while range-topping GT models also add adaptive cruise control.

SUVs – even smaller ones – are primarily used as family cars, so it’s extremely good news that the 3008 is very strong on practicality. The rear seats have lots of head- and legroom, allowing two tall adults to stretch out their long limbs. Life is even pretty comfortable for a third occupant in the back, thanks to a wide middle seat, decent shoulder room and a flat floor in the rear footwell. The boot is large and conveniently shaped, too, and thanks to an adjustable boot floor and rear seats that fold down in a clever way, you’re left with a completely flat load space when you use the car in two-seat mode. Happily, the 3008’s interior also serves up just as much wow-factor as the handsome bodywork. The cabin’s contemporary design and sophisticated materials make it feel like a properly plush place to sit, and the huge digital dials – which come as standard on all models – give a very high-tech feel. Like in other Peugeot models, you peer at those dials over the top of the tiny steering wheel rather than through it. But because the dials are set higher than in other Peugeots, meaning you don’t have to set the wheel so low, the driving position doesn’t feel awkward. Most functions are operated through the standard touchscreen, which could be better in terms of its ease-of-use, reaction speed and screen sensitivity, but the smart-looking toggle switches that act as shortcuts do help improve ergonomics. Bearing in mind the popularity of SUVs among Britain’s families, it’s pleasing to report that the 3008 is practical. Those sitting in the back have lots of space, allowing two tall adults to stretch out, or three children to sit in comfort – with one caveat. When the front seats are set to their lowest position, those behind can’t put their feet under the chairs. The 520-litre boot offers an adjustable boot floor and rear seats that fold down in a simple action to free up 1,482-litres of luggage space and a flat floor that makes it easy to load bulky items. Pick the Hybrid model, though, and boot space is reduced to 395 and 1,375 litres, to make space for the battery beneath the floor. Happily, the 3008’s interior also serves up just as much wow-factor as the handsome bodywork. The cabin’s contemporary design and sophisticated materials make it feel properly plush, and the digital dials – which come as standard on all models – can be tailored to display information the driver wants to see. Like in other Peugeot models, you peer at those dials over the top of the tiny steering wheel rather than through it. It’s an odd sensation, initially, but the driving is comfortable nonetheless. Most functions are operated through a touchscreen, which could be better in terms of its ease-of-use, reaction speed and screen sensitivity, but the smart-looking toggle switches that act as shortcuts do help improve ergonomics. On the road, the 3008 is neither the smoothest car of its type, nor the most responsive, but it provides a good blend of both abilities. The suspension has enough compliance to shield you from the effects of most badly surfaced roads, while there’s enough control to stop the body leaning over too much in bends. The steering feels a little numb and rather slow to react, but grip and traction are in plentiful supply, despite the fact that only the front wheels are powered on all but the Hybrid 4 model. The Hybrid 4 has a selectable, permanent four-wheel drive setting (at speeds of up to 84mph) that means it can cope with unmade tracks just fine.

To compensate for the 3008’s lofty price, Peugeot provides a generous level of equipment as standard throughout the range. Even entry-level Active-grade cars come with alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, climate control, rear parking sensors, a leather steering wheel, and a DAB radio with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to connect your smartphone. Allure cars add sat-nav and a 180-degree parking camera, while GT Line cars add part-faux-leather upholstery, wireless phone charging and full LED headlamps. Opt for the GT Line Premium models, and you can add in keyless entry and start and an electric boot lid. GT cars offer adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system for manoeuvring, massaging leather seats and a Focal sound system.

There’s a wide range of engines available for the 3008. The petrol choices start with a turbocharged 1.2-litre unit with 131 horsepower, while you can also have a 1.6 turbo with 181 horsepower, or one of two plug-in hybrids delivering either 225 or 300 horsepower. Diesel choices include a 1.5 with 131 horsepower and a 2.0-litre with 177 horsepower. Both 131 horsepower engines get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and you can have an eight-speed automatic gearbox as an option, while the rest of the engines get the auto’ as standard. The good news is we can’t see much reason to look past the impressive entry-level petrol engine. It has a surprising amount of punch from the middle of the rev range, and it keeps on pulling right to the top, so it’s flexible and brisk enough. It’s remarkably smooth and quiet under most circumstances, too, only becoming rowdy when you really thrash it. You will notice the engine struggle a bit more when the car is loaded with passengers, or when you’re facing a steep incline, but otherwise, it has an impressive breath of abilities. Also impressive is the Hybrid 4 300. It’s the flagship 3008, and costs a lot, but the plug-in powertrain proved responsive, smooth in all operating conditions, effortlessly powerful and able to return impressive fuel consumption. But at that price it’s likely most will prefer the Hybrid 225, which does without four-wheel drive.