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The Peugeot 3008 is one of the longer serving members of the family SUV sector, yet it has refused to slip from sitting among the front-runners thanks to a combination of talents. The most obvious of these are the car’s looks, which have been crisp and sharp since day it arrived and remain so now even in the face of newer rivals. It’s a similar story inside the Peugeot 3008, where it looks and feels very classy compared to most others in this sector. The only exception to this is the Peugeot’s infotainment set-up, which is a bit fiddly to use even when you’re familiar with it as it forces you to access too many functions through the touchscreen rather than more traditional physical buttons.
Peugeot’s iCockpit design can seem a little odd on first acquaintance because it places the small steering wheel lower down than you think is right to begin with. However, it lets you see the main dials over the wheel and driver comfort is good, so no complaints here. There are others in this sector that offer more space for passengers and luggage, but the Peugeot 3008 is still up to the task of carting you and the family wherever you need to be. The only caveat here is if you order the 3008 with the panoramic glass roof, which does nibble into the cabin’s available headroom.
When it comes to driving, there’s no hint that the Peugeot 3008 is moving into middle-age compared to many of its competitors. A smooth, supple ride on all types of roads is matched by impressive refinement. You also have a choice of petrol, diesel, and two plug-in hybrid models, though no full EV. With the hybrids, they offer a battery-only driving range of up to 40 miles depending on which version you choose.
Two things strike you as you get into the Peugeot 3008 for the first time. One is the overall sense of quality from the materials and they way they are put together, which is not just an impression but a fact as the Peugeot is well made. The other notable feature is the French firm’s iCockpit layout that uses a smaller than normal steering wheel placed lower than initially feels normal. The thinking with this is to put the 12.3-inch digital main instrument display into what Peugeot calls a ‘head-up’ position. This isn’t a head-up display projected onto the windscreen, but moves the main binnacle further up the dash so it’s more in line of sight for the driver, meaning you take your eyes off the road ahead for less time. With a bit of time in the driver’s seat, you soon get used to the set-up and just get on with driving the Peugeot 3008, though some drivers might find the top of the steering wheel obscures part of the dials’ display.
You can adjust the driving position of the Peugeot 3008 to suit any shape and size of driver. All models come with a height adjustable driver’s seat, and the small steering wheel moves for depth and angle. The seat itself is supportive and all but the base Premium+ trim come with at least partial leather upholstery. Vision is good to the front and sides, while a reversing camera that gives a superb 180-degree sweep that’s standard in all models overcomes with high tailgate window line that limits rearward vision.
Looking again at the dash, in the centre console there are very few buttons as most functions are driven through the infotainment screen. In the Active Premium+ trim, this is an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, while the other versions of the 3008 gain a bigger 10.0-inch display. The infotainment system is not quite the most intuitive but the screen is clear and easy to read, and there are some shortcut buttons on the monitor itself to help. However, we’d still prefer simple physical buttons and dials to work the heating and ventilation. Still, as is normal in most of the 3008’s rivals, you get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to connect the car to your phone.
Moving into the rear seats, the Peugeot 3008 doesn’t offer quite as much knee room as a Skoda Karoq, but it’s still more than good enough for kids. You’ll be able to fit three children across the bench, aided by a floor with transmission tunnel to intrude on foot space. Head room is good in most 3008s, but if you go for a car with a panoramic sunroof it will rob some vital height for adult passengers in the back and front seats.
The boot of Peugeot 3008 is a good size, if not the biggest in the class. Hybrid models do without the adjustable height load floor, which is a boon in its higher setting as it sits flush with the load sill. Seats up, the Peugeot offers 520-litres, and with them folded down it extends to 1482-litres. For the Hybrid models, those numbers are 395- and 1357-litres respectively. Tipping the rear seats is easy thanks to the remote release levers in the sides of the boot wall and, with the seats dropped down, there’s a long, flat load floor.
Peugeot offers three different fuel options for the 3008, so you can pick from petrol, diesel, or petrol-electric plug-in hybrid. Starting with the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine that has 130hp, it’s possibly the best bet for many drivers as it has more urge than you might imagine from a small capacity motor in this size of SUV. It gets off the mark smartly and the eight-speed automatic gearbox version is only a fraction slower over the 0-62mph dash than the six-speed manual. At higher speeds, the 1.2 is refined and still has enough oomph to cruise and overtake comfortably on the motorway, and there’s standard cruise control on all models along with lane keep assist.
The 1.5-litre turbodiesel BlueHDi engine has the same power as the petrol at 130hp, but offers an added slug of low-down shove typical of diesels. This is essential to overcome the diesel 3008’s increased weight, which results in both the manual and automatic versions being a fair bit slower than their petrol counterparts to get up to speed. There’s a little more rumble from under the bonnet in the diesel 3008 than in the petrol models, but it’s still a very quiet and refined cruiser. However, if you want the best in refinement in the 3008, you need to look to the hybrid models as they can travel for up to 40 miles on battery power alone. A 1.6-litre petrol engine with 181- or 200hp respectively for the 225 and 300 models takes care of the other side of the equation, and the more powerful model comes with four-wheel drive and rapid acceleration that will keep up with most hot hatches.
Head on to a twisty road and those hot hatches will soon clear off into the distance as the Peugeot 3008 is an SUV that prefers comfort over outright handling ability. That’s a sensible root for Peugeot to take as this is a family car, after all. There is some body lean in corners and the steering doesn’t offer much by way of communication with the driver, even if it is quick to react to inputs as you steer into a corner. Plenty of grip makes the 3008 safe and stable, and the suspension does a good job of mopping up split and broken surfaces without becomes jittery even on the larger 19-inch wheels of some 3008 models. It’s the same story on the motorway and in town, where the 3008 remains composed and stable, if not as much fun as a Ford Puma or Kuga. Parking the 3008 in tight spaces could be a bit tricky if it wasn’t for the 180-degree reversing camera that gives an excellent view of what’s behind. However, only the GT Premium top spec model comes with front parking sensors included.
The Peugeot 3008 range gets going with the 1.2 PureTech Active Premium+ with six-speed manual gearbox that costs £29,435. Adding the eight-speed automatic gearbox increases the price by £1600, while the diesel 1.5 BlueHDi 130 version starts at £31,725. The front-drive-only HYBRID 225 model in this trim begins at £37,180. Next is the Allure Premium+ trim that costs £2300 more than the base model, and this version also gains the HYBRID4 300 engine option that costs from £43,680. Next is the GT level that is an £1800 step up from the Allure Premium+, while the top spec GT Premium is £1900 more than the equivalent GT model. There are some big savings to be had when you shop around for a new Peugeot 3008, especially if you are flexible on colour and trim level. Take this approach and you could save up to £4000, with average savings of around £1500 typical. A nearly new 3008 with less than 5000 miles on the clock will cost from around £25,500, while a three-year old with average mileage will start from £17,000.
Peugeot offers the 3008 in four trims, beginning with the Active Premium+. Like all 3008s, it has cruise control, lane departure warning, three Isofix child seat mounts, and automatic emergency braking to take care of safety. With this trim, you also get 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, reversing camera, keyless ignition, and air conditioning. Infotainment is dealt with by an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the HYBRID version gains the 10.0-inch touchscreen. Move up to the Allure Premium+ and you gain High Beam Assist for the headlights, keyless entry, and the 10.0-inch infotainment screen. This trim also comes with voice recognition and part faux-leather upholstery. The GT adds the Drive Assist Pack with adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, and lane positioning assistance. It also has a rear passenger compartment USB charger. Choose the GT Premium and there’s front parking sensors, Alcantara and faux leather upholstery, uprated stereo, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
The 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine offers combined fuel economy of 48.3mpg with the manual gearbox and 46.4mpg with the auto. Its carbon dioxide emissions come to 132- and 138g/km respectively. Opt for the diesel and the manual delivers 60.8mpg and 122g/km, while the version with the auto transmission provides 57.8mpg and 128g/km. For the hybrid models, the front-drive 225 can travel up to 39 miles on battery power, while the all-wheel drive 300 model has a range of up to 40 miles. The 22 has a combined economy of 222.3mpg and 29g/km emissions, while the 300 comes in at 235.4mpg and 28g/km. The lower running costs of the hybrids are offset to some extent by their higher insurance rates as they sit in groups 30 to 38, while the rest of the 3008 range all sit in group 22.
The Peugeot 3008 is a good family SUV. That might not sound like the most exciting thing, but it means the Peugeot is ideal for a lot of drivers. The front cabin is a little unusual at first sight but works well, though the infotainment system is not as slick as some. There’s good space in the front and back, plus a decent boot, too.
With three fuel options to pick from with the 3008, there should be something to please everyone. The 1.2-litre petrol engine should work well for many, while the hybrids offer a decent battery-only driving range for those who live in town. However, the hybrids do come at with a price premium over the petrol and diesel models.
Ford has thrown everything it knows into the Kuga, which is a mainstay of its model line-up. You can have petrol and petrol-hybrid models, including a plug-in version to suit any economy-minded drivers and business users. Inside, the Kuga is very appealing with its roomy, well-appointed cabin, and there’s a generous boot to swallow your luggage. The interior could be a little better finished to help it match its rivals, but there’s nothing wrong with the way the Ford rides and handles.
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The Hyundai Tuscon has made a huge leap to the head of this class in its latest form. Gone are the dull looks, replaced by sharp styling that marks out this SUV. It’s backed up by a keen drive and fine handling, while the cabin is made from exemplary materials and packed with standard kit and tech. Some might the rear seats not as spacious as some in the sector, but there’s a big boot. Hyundai doesn’t offer a diesel in the Tuscon, but you can have a hybrid model.
For anyone who wants a bit of sparkle in the way their SUV drives, the SEAT Ateca suggests itself as a top contender. It has a ride and handling balance that few get close to, and it feels much more agile on back lanes than almost every other car in this sector. None of that comes at the expense of the practical stuff and the SEAT has a roomy, well built and appointed interior that’s more than up to the rigours of family use. The Ateca is also keenly priced, though you will have to bear in mind the emissions from its engines are not as low as some others in the segment.
