Now a much better package; nice engines; spacious interior
When first launched the 3008 took some hits from critics
Peugeot Australia is on a mission to completely reinvigorate its local lineup. Early signs are good as, buoyed by the success of the 308 hatchback and wagon – the reigning European Car Of The Year – sales are up this year by more than 25 per-cent.
This month attention has turned to the Peugeot 3008. It’s fair to say until now the compact SUV/Crossover has been a less than stellar performer, but the 2015 model has just received a significant mid-life update and is now right on the money.
According to new Peugeot Australia chief John Statari: “When the 3008 was launched it was pitched as a hatchback which was wrong. It’s a two-wheel-drive Crossover and we’ve re-specified it accordingly and simplified the model lineup.”
Yep that’s right - but just as important is the price and, kicking-off from $35,490, the Peugeot 3008 with its French panache and a choice of petrol or diesel engines is certainly right in the mix in a segment populated with great cars.
Peugeot 3008 Overview
The mid-life update for the Peugeot 3008 brings some new looks and a simplified model lineup with boosted equipment levels – for example, satellite navigation, cruise control, Aykamys audio and a reversing camera are now standard. So we have a French style compact SUV/Crossover with a comprehensive list of standard kit, abundant rear seat leg-room, a handily-size cargo area and a choice of fuel-efficient petrol or diesel engines. What’s not to like?
The lineup is:
| 2015 Peugeot 3008 Active petrol | $35,490 |
| 2015 Peugeot 3008 Active diesel | $38,990 |
An optional ‘Premium Pack’ ($3,500) brings the sort of extras previously included in the up-scale ‘Allure’ model – but effectively $1,000 less expensive. That includes items like leather seats (fronts heated), colour head-up display, a massive panoramic roof with an electric blind and rear side window blinds.
Peugeot 3008 Engine
No changes under the bonnet – Peugeot 3008 employing a choice of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines both driving the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
The petrol engine is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder delivering maximum power of 115kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 240Nm at 1400rpm. Combined-cycle fuel consumption scores 7.7l/100kms.
For the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel you can chalk-up 120kW at 3750rpm and 340Nm at 2000rpm. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is rated at 6.6l/100kms.
Both are excellent powerplants delivering good performance and high levels of refinement.
Peugeot 3008 The Interior
Inside, the Peugeot 3008 really steps-up with a high quality look and feel which highlights the input of the French design team – definitely a cut above some rivals. And the optional Premium Pack goes further with leather seats, some stylish new switchgear and of course the colour head-up display.
We liked the driving position (rake and reach adjustment for the steering wheel) and the front seats were nicely supportive. And we also gave top marks to the dashboard and instruments – nice soft-touch materials, good presentation, functional and not overdone in the ‘bling’ department.
But for us, it’s the rear seat which really separates the Peugeot 3008 from most competitors. We’re thinking more leg-room than just about any other vehicle in this segment – and those in the rear get their own air-vents (again not a claim many rivals can make).
It’s all a very handy package size with standout space out-back - a 435-litre cargo capacity (rear seat in-place) – which certainly overshadows some in this segment.
Peugeot 3008 Exterior & Styling
You’ll definitely be noticed in a Peugeot 3008 – a somewhat quirky look in a segment which does proffer some bland styling it must be said. So top marks to Peugeot’s stylists (again).
For the 2015 update Peugeot sought to soften the 3008 and give it a more contemporary look. So we have a re-profiled front-end with a new grille, new headlights and LED DRLs.
At the rear there are new versions of Peugeot’s hallmark ‘claw’ design tail-lights.
And there are new design 17-inch alloy wheels (with a full-size spare wheel).
Peugeot 3008 On The Road
Awaiting www.carshowroom.com.au for a run from Sydney Airport, down to Picton and back via the coast road and beautiful Stanwell Park were a standard petrol Peugeot 3008 and a turbo-diesel fitted with the ‘Premium Pack’. Mercifully Sydney’s recalcitrant peak hour traffic relented and we were able to give the 3008 a full hit-out even on the M5 freeway (and that’s unusual!).
Both engines were very nicely matched to the six-speed auto and provided handy acceleration at low and mid-range speeds. And both scored highly in the refinement department (the turbo-diesel was very impressive).
Perhaps keen to show-off the 3008’s suspension calibration Peugeot dispatched us down some windy roads outback of Picton which looked like they hadn’t seen a maintenance crew for a few years. No worries as the 3008 was up to the task with top-notch isolation from the bumps and nice response when we pitched into some corners at speed.
While it’s no RCZ R, the Peugeot 3008 gave good feedback via the steering and turned-in with aplomb. There was a little body roll when pressing-on hard but hardly a cause for criticism.
Yes, when you stepped over the limit, the 3008 couldn’t disguise its weight (1555kgs for the petrol and 1614kgs for the diesel) and defaulted to understeer but it was all very controllable.
And we must say the Peugeot 3008 was a very relaxed highway cruiser – in sixth gear it just loped along with a hushed ride and supreme comfort…just as Parisians demand for the often arduous trip down to Nice and Monaco!
Peugeot 3008 Issues
The earlier incarnation of the Peugeot 3008 got a ‘bum wrap’ from some critics. You can dismiss those comments.
Peugeot 3008 Verdict
Consider the Peugeot 3008 as a golf ball. After a poor first shot it flew into the rough but has subsequently been safely chipped back onto the fairway and, all things going well, is now in position to post a good score.
The fact is $35,490 is the sort of price the Peugeot 3008 should have been launched with. But it wasn’t. So now Peugeot has brought the updated model with extra kit and better style, given the price tag a trim and stopped trying to make it a hatchback when it is - as it’s always been - a ‘crossover/compact SUV’.
And given all of that, it’s actually a very good European compact SUV which we rather like.
We certainly ‘tip our caps’ to both the petrol and diesel engines – seemingly integral parts of the overall package – and it’s a big green tick for the ‘Peugeot tweaks’ for the styling inside and out. Likewise the rear seat which pleasingly provides family-friendly space in a segment with cars built and marketed as ‘2+2s’and ‘2+3s’ but which too often serves-up cars with rear seats best left to midgets.
Peugeot 3008 The Competition
Volkswagen’s Tiguan is in the sights of the Peugeot 3008. While the Tiguan starts at only $28,990 you do need to carefully cross-reference specific specifications when making comparisons. Nice to drive and beautifully made, the Tiguan doesn’t match the Peugeot 3008 for rear seat or cargo space.
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