I love the opportunity for the first drive of any car, so I headed to Peugeot early for the brand-new 3008.
A few hundred meters into the drive, I was already impressed. Having driven the smaller 208 and 2008, I enjoyed the French design flair, and the 3008, as a mid-sized SUV, continues that trend with elevated style and size.
This GT spec adds leather and premium touches to an already well-appointed cabin. It’s the first car on a new platform that supports future drivetrains, this one with a 100kW 1.2L three-cylinder hybrid. Like its smaller relatives, it delivers efficiency and drivability in a capable package.
A few hundred meters into the drive, I was already impressed.
The design starts out with the go-kart-inspired small steering wheel, making the combined driver instrument and center screen easy to view. The compact wheel feels fabulous; you wonder why steering wheels are usually so big these days. A compact console screen simplifies accessing settings, avoiding menu hunting. Cabin materials balance quality with practicality, and unique touches, like the marle fabric stripe and an entertaining matte-reflective dash, create a distinctive atmosphere. Speaking atmosphere, wait till you hear the astonishing sound system!
The front seats are superbly comfortable with features like lumbar control, bolster adjustment, massage, and ventilation – rare for this price bracket, though they are an upgrade. They even have bolster adjustment for extra support on corners or more comfort on long trips. The back seat offers decent legroom, great headroom, and their own ventilation controls.
Driving modes include Sport, Normal, and Eco, which I enjoyed tweaking to suit my trip. I flicked into Sport on the motorway on-ramp and Eco most of the time. Surprisingly, it has descent control and slippery surface modes for mud, sand, and snow. It’s dashing outside too, with a bold fast-back look, elevated stance, and Peugeot’s signature light fangs. The glitter blue paint and 19-inch rims complete its confident appearance, while boot space is copious, with tiedowns exactly where you’d expect.
The 3008 drives easily, with precise steering and a quality ride. Assisted driving features, like adaptive cruise and lane holding, work seamlessly. Parking and maneuvering were effortless, and its incredible fuel economy, with over 700km of range per tank, is hard to fault. It’s a highly featured vehicle with an impressive five-year warranty. The list of things I like is long, and the only thing I didn’t like was having to return it at the end of the evaluation!
Words – Tim Warren
Allure from $57,980.
GT: $62,480 + $4,500
Nappa Leather package (as driven)
