New Peugeot 3008 review

The mimic octopus is one of few animals known to morph into different shapes, either to survive or make itself more attractive. And the Peugeot 3008 we're reviewing here has done the same – by shapeshifting to become more desirable.

When the 3008 made its debut nearly two decades ago it looked like a swollen hatchback or mini MPV, then for the second generation it morphed into a more familiar SUV shape. Now this third-generation 3008 combines elements of a family SUV with a sleeker coupé SUV roofline for a more eye-catching "fastback" look.

Initially, the new 3008 is available with a hybrid petrol engine and a choice of two well-equipped trim levels. There’s also an all-electric version for the first time (to read about that see our Peugeot e-3008 review).

Of course, the 3008 isn't the only fastback-style SUV on sale so this all-new model will face competition from quite a few well-established rivals. They range from the Audi Q3 Sportback and BMW X2 to the Renault Arkana and Renault Rafale. There’s also the Cupra Formentor and Peugeot 408 to consider.

So is the 2024 Peugeot 3008 worth considering against other sleek-looking family SUVs? Read on to find out…

At launch, the sole engine option for the Peugeot 3008 is a 134bhp mild-hybrid 1.2-litre petrol with front-wheel drive (a plug-in hybrid is due later). With a 0-62mph time of 10.2 seconds, it doesn’t feel urgent off the line but a wide spread of muscle means it feels effortless when you’re on the move.

That's about the same level of performance as an entry-level 1.8-litre Toyota C-HR but not as fast as a Cupra Formentor V1. Even more powerful options include the BMW X2 and Renault Rafale.

For a significant bump in performance (and price) you could also consider the all-electric Peugeot e-3008 in range-topping form, with 316bhp, four-wheel-drive and a 0-62mph time of 6.4 seconds.

The 3008 has a regenerative braking system that harvests some energy when you lift off the accelerator pedal. The braking effect is strong enough to charge up the small hybrid battery quite quickly, but it lacks the smoothness of the best regen systems.

The brake pedal itself takes some getting used to because there’s quite a lot of travel in the pedal before anything happens. When it does responds, it's easier to stop smoothly than with the grabby brakes on the Peugeot 408.

The 3008’s ride is on the firm side but it’s well controlled, even with the smaller 19in wheels fitted to our Allure test car. You're aware of speed bumps and manhole covers, but the 3008 doesn’t thump or thwack over sharper ridges as much as the e-3008.

The engine is quite noisy on start-up but soon fades into the background. The electric motor can propel the car along silently in very short stints, with the engine switching on and off smoothly. Meanwhile, wind and road noise remain low, making the 3008 a comfy and quiet motorway cruiser, with less road noise than in a Cupra Formentor.

The 3008’s light steering makes low-speed manoeuvres a doddle around town, but it fails to provide much of a connection to the front wheels. That means it lacks any real sense of involvement for the driver and doesn’t encourage them to have as much fun as they would in the Formentor.

There’s a good level of grip, and while there's more body lean than in a Formentor, not too much sway. Overall, the 3008 is a car that suits being driven at a more laid-back pace than some family SUVs.

"It might look sharper than before, but I still found the 3008 comfortable and good at helping you switch off on the commute home from work." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

The 3008's interior is an updated version of Peugeot’s unusual i-Cockpit dashboard layout – and the updates are good news if you struggled with the old set-up. You still get a high-set driver's display that’s meant to be viewed over the tiny steering wheel but the wheel is easier to set in a comfy position without obstructing your view of the screen.

The rest of the driving position is very good too, with supportive, high-up front seats and a clear view forwards over the bonnet. Rear visibility isn’t so great due to the wide rear pillars but all trim levels come with rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to help out with low-speed manoeuvres.

All versions of the 3008 merge the digital driver's display with an infotainment touchscreen to form a single curved 21in panel across the top of the dashboard. The touchscreen is in easy reach when you're driving and you don't have to glance very far across to see the sat-nav map on display.

The graphics are crisp and clear but some of the infotainment menus are convoluted, with too many submenus to sift through, and the screen’s responses could be sharper.

Unlike the Toyota C-HR, the 3008 lacks physical controls for the air-conditioning system so you have to further rely on the touchscreen. Most of the time, the temperature controls are positioned on either side of the home screen and act as a shortcut, but they unhelpfully disappear when displaying the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay screen (which you can do wirelessly) and you have to sift through more menus back out to the home screen.

Below the centre air vents is a separate touch panel – Peugeot's i-Toggle feature – where you can customise a row of shortcuts for your most commonly used functions. The icons are large and easy to hit on the move, although physical buttons would still be better.

More positively, the 3008 feels a step up from many family SUVs when it comes to interior quality. The choice of materials includes lots of soft-touch plastics livened up with trim finishers and fabric on the dashboard and doors. 

"I’m used to driving Peugeots with the gear selector mounted low down on the centre console, so it takes a while to get used to looking across and reaching out behind the steering wheel to use it." – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

In terms of practicality, the Peugeot 3008 offers plenty of storage space throughout the interior, with a large central cubby and big door bins. The glove box is on the small side, though, because the space is shared with the fuse box.

In the back seats, there’s more leg room and larger footwells than in a Toyota C-HR. However, a middle-seat passenger will find that the centre console between the front seats encroaches on space for their legs.

Rear head room isn’t as generous for a 6ft tall adult than it is in a Cupra Formentor but it’s not much worse than in a BMW X2 and still more than you get in an Audi Q3 Sportback.

The 3008's boot space is more generous than its rivals, with its 588-litre capacity significantly beating the C-HR and Formentor, and both the X2 and the Renault Rafale by a small amount.

There’s also a height-adjustable boot floor, while 40/20/40 split-folding rear seatbacks makes the 3008 more versatile than the 60/40 split you get in a C-HR and Formentor.

"Rear space is good for a car of this size and shape although I did feell as though I was sitting quite close to the floor." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

For private cash buyers, the Peugeot 3008 looks competitive against rivals, costing more than an entry-level Toyota C-HR, similar to a Cupra Formentor V1 but significantly less than a BMW X2 or Renault Rafale.

In terms of depreciation, the 3008 is expected to lose its value more slowly than an equivalent Formentor but at a similar rate to a Rafale or C-HR.

Choosing which trim level to go for is straightforward for the 3008, because there are only two to choose from: Allure and GT.

Allure is the entry-level trim and is very well equipped. It comes with 19in wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, rear privacy glass, ambient lighting and a wireless phone-charging pad. 

GT trim adds 20in alloys, matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, a powered tailgate and front parking sensors. Considering it pushes up the price considerably for not a lot of kit, we’d recommend sticking to Allure trim.

As for reliability, the 3008 is too new to have featured in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey but as a manufacturer Peugeot finished in 21st place out of 32 other brands – below Kia (eighth), Volvo (ninth) and Tesla (10th) but above Audi (26th).

You get a three-year, unlimited mileage Peugeot warranty, which is the same as you get from BMW, but less than Cupra, Renault and Toyota give you.

The 3008 is yet to be tested by safety experts Euro NCAP, but it does come with automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance and traffic-sign recognition as standard. Useful features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional as part of the Drive Assist Pack.

"I do enjoy a sound system upgrade so it’s a shame the optional Focal 16-speaker system is part of a pack on GT trim only." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

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