The all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV is a significant advance in the SUV C-segment – an expanding market in Britain.
First Drive Review by Tim Barnes-Clay in the fabulous looking All-new Peugeot 3008 from Bologna, Italy.
Whether it’s through its innovative i-Cockpit, its good looks, or its high-tech kit, the latest 3008 clearly aims to establish itself as an important player. UK deliveries start in January 2017, but we got to drive the all-new 3008 SUV early at its launch in Italy.
The confident grille design and the elevated command driving position bring a new fashionable look to the 3008, with the only design failing being the small rear indicators. Peugeot could have perhaps made these a little bigger within the otherwise attractive tail-light clusters.
The 3008 now has an interior that is on a level pegging with premium cars. It comes furnished with tons of tech and first class materials, and this adds to that quality car ambience. Peugeot’s i-Cockpit display, which comprises a small steering wheel with a 12.3-inch screen behind it, looks superb.Rear space is praiseworthy. You’ll get two adults in the back contentedly. Indeed, legroom and headroom are good in the front and rear – even for six-footers. And the 520-litre boot, with the lowest loading height in its class, will swallow two large flight cases, as well as a couple of smaller holdalls easily. The load capacity can be increased to 1670 litres with the seats folded.
Pretty much everything can be operated via the Peugeot 3008’s i-Cockpit. Screens and selector switches allow you to govern connectivity, sat-nav, driving modes and the car’s safety systems. The principal display, set above the steering wheel, has a graphical speedometer and tacho. These change to smaller, side-view instruments if you want to use the display for the sat-nav’s map. What’s more, the i-Cockpit allows you to choose if you want to make the screen graphics calm or busy. You can do this by using ‘Relaxed’ or ‘Boost’ modes, which also change the cheeps and chirps the car’s gadgetry makes. Additionally, the two settings vary the aromas secreted by the 3008’s fragrance diffuser. The Peugeot’s optional ‘virtual masseuse’ gives a stronger back massage to the driver and front seat passenger with ‘Boost’ switched on, too.
We drove the 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel engine with 120PS and automatic transmission. Behind the wheel, things feel dynamic, and the weighting of the steering perfect. The car grips like a cat’s claws cling on to flesh, and mid-range pulling power is superb, it’s easy to pick up the pace. The six-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission is a slick shifting unit, but stamp your foot on the gas and you’ll become all too aware of the 3008 SUV’s diesel propulsion. That said; the car still delivers a hushed ride for an oil-burner. Tyre roar and wind whistle are managed out of the cabin, too. All this just adds to the new 3008’s sense of refinement. The Peugeot offers a composed ride with seats that provide the sort of comfort and support required for long distance motoring. Furthermore, the car’s suspension sopped up some nasty potholes on our Italian test route without complaining. Significantly, the new 3008 doesn’t tip into bends. Indeed, body roll is very well contained. This surprised us, as smaller SUVs aren’t always the type of vehicle to stay so unflustered on the twisty tarmac.
Looking great and having all the tech in the world is ok – but if it’s no good, if it isn’t economical and it doesn’t drive decently. There are no concerns to be had in this area with the 3008 SUV.The new 3008 comes in four levels of trim: Active, Allure, GT Line and GT. Factory fitted safety kit on the Active includes automatic emergency braking and rear parking sensors. Choose the Allure and you get a Safety Plus pack, which comes with lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection and a reversing camera. The GT Line hasn’t got any extra safety equipment – just sportier looks, while the GT gets active cruise control. Peugeot expects 50 per cent of British buyers to go for the Allure. It has all the safety kit you really need, and as with all 3008s, it has a top five-star Euro NCAP safety score.
The 1.6-litre BlueHDi 120 is forecast to be the most popular model in Britain. An average 67.3mpg and 108g/km of CO2 means low running costs for the auto, combined with effective performance. 0-62mph is achieved in 11.6 seconds and the Pug’s maximum speed is 115mph.
The all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV’s entry price is £21,795, but expect to fork out around £25,000 for the 1.6-litre BlueHDi automatic we drove. A basic Nissan Qashqai costs £18,545, and the new SEAT Ateca is priced from £17,990. But we think the 3008’s extra cost is justified because it feels more upmarket inside than these two rivals. Cabin materials include brushed chrome, large areas of carbon decoration and textiles. They even cover some areas less commonly found in SUVs, such as the dashboard inlay. It’s all very contemporary and attractive. The Peugeot is just as stylish outside, and it drives well, while delivering a comfortable ride for all. Furthermore, it’s economical and practical.
Taking everything into account, there’s no reason why the all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV shouldn’t be a big seller in the UK.
Car reviewed: All-New Peugeot 3008 SUV – Entry price £21,795, expected price around £25,000 for the 1.6-litre BlueHDi automatic we tested. 0-62mph 11.6 secs Top speed 115mph Fuel Economy combined 67.3mpg CO2 emissions 108g/km Engine 1560cc 4-cylinder turbo diesel Max Power 120PS
Fabulous Looking
Very Comfortable
Plenty of Tech
Load Space
Rear indicators
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