Peugeot has brought even more class, competence and European-chic to the compact SUV segment with the launch of the stylish Peugeot 3008. Great-looking, feature-laden and handily priced from $35,790, Peugeot’s first compact SUV is very impressive and its arrival downunder is nicely timed.
Compact SUVs or ‘Crossovers’ are proving to be hugely popular with Australian family buyers. In fact the ‘soft-roaders’ - as they’re also called - are one of our fastest growing market segments (Peugeot says sales have grown by 102 per cent in the last four years including a massive 25 per cent surge last year).
And while the segment is populated with excellent vehicles from all corners of the globe, Peugeot probably considers the Peugeot 3008’s most direct rivals would be fellow Europeans like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Renault Koleos (BMW’s X1 and Audi Q5 are priced in another league) – plus of course the Honda CRV, Subaru Forester and Nissan’s X-TRAIL/Dualis double-team.
Peugeot 3008 Overview
With a eight square-meter footprint, the Peugeot 3008 matches the Renault Koleos and Honda CRV for size and its 1639mm height sits between Nissan’s X-TRAIL and Toyota’s RAV4. It’s a cleverly packaged compact SUV with contemporary European looks and sharp European driving dynamics.
Inside is a very well crafted look that delivers a quality feel beyond the retail price for both variants (entry-level XSE and range–topping XTE).
For those keen to tackle some off-road going, an optional variable traction control system and ‘mud&snow’ tyres provides some flexibility, while all Peugeot 3008 customers will appreciate the 1604-litre luggage capacity.
Peugeot 3008 Engine
The Peugeot 3008 offers two diesel and one petrol engine. Entry to the Peugeot 3008 lineup is the 1.6-litre HDi turbo-diesel, then there is a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, while the range-toper is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.
At the launch, we sampled both the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel models only as the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel does not go into production at Peugeot’s Sochaux, Eastern France assembly plant until October.
All three engines are double-overhead camshaft, 16-valve designs and are Euro 5 compliant.
The 1.6-litre turbo-diesel provides 80kW of power at 4,000rpm and peak torque of 240Nm from 1,750rpm, with 260Nm available on overboost. Transmissions are a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with Electronic Gearbox Control (EGC).
With a variable geometry turbocharger and high-pressure direct injection, the 1.6-litre diesel returns combined cycle fuel economy of 5.1l/100kms and exhaust emissions are rated at 135g/km.
The Peugeot 3008 gains a much-improved version of Peugeot’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 120kW of power at 3,750rpm and peak torque of 340Nm at 2,000rpm. Changes include a new cylinder head, a low inertia variable geometry turbocharger and high-pressure common rail fuel injection (up to 2,000 bar pressure).
For those who prefer petrol, Peugeot’s 1.6-litre turbocharged engine (six-speed automatic only) uses a twin-scroll turbocharger and provides 115kW of power at 5,800rpm and 240Nm of torque at 1,400rpm.
Peugeot 3008 Interior
Peugeot has claimed victory in the compact SUV segment’s space race with the Peugeot 3008 delivering a cargo capacity up to 1604 litres (seats folded).
Throughout, the Peugeot 3008 provides a thoroughly modern and prestigious interior style with hints to weekend recreation/off-road action (such as the aircraft-style ‘toggle’ switches on the dashboard and twin, plastic-trimmed under-floor storage boxes behind the front seats – perfect for Mr Abbott’s Speedos or other wet items).
We tested the 1.6-litre XTE model which gains a ‘Head-Up’ Display (HUD), distance alert and Bluetooth connectivity for the six-speaker audio system as part of its upgraded features. Our car was trimmed in the optional leather which brings electronic adjustment for the drivers’ seat.
You sit high in the Peugeot 3008, with a commanding SUV-type driving position (but still comfortable for performance drivers thanks to the rake/reach adjustable steering wheel).
Instrumentation is conventional and we liked the compact vertical HUD screen with speedometer, cruise control and distance alert information clearly displayed. Like Renault, Peugeot uses a left-hand stalk to control the cruise control and we’ve often struggled with its nuances until we become re-acquainted – same on this test once we hit the Hume Highway and needed to set a constant 110km/h.
The lack of four-wheel-drive hardware has provided a flatter rear floor than some rivals and visibility from the rear seat is nice. But basketballers or football forwards would not be too kind about the legroom (it’s competitive with rival vehicles).
Peugeot 3008 Exterior & Styling
Taking a football analogy, you could say the Peugeot 3008 looks like a Peugeot 308 that’s had a good pre-season of solid training and gained some muscle and bulk. There are two levels of specification – the entry standard XSE and the more luxurious XTE which is identified externally by chrome-plated inserts on the lower panels and side members (to provide a tougher ‘off-road’ appearance).
The same contemporary, European styling cues from the conventional Peugeot 308 are obvious – the ‘wide-mouth’ front grille, sharply contoured headlights, bonnet and front fenders, front-plunging side windows and bulbous wheel arches. That European style has a purpose too with the aerodynamic Cx an impressive 0.296 – right amongst the sharp end of the segment.
At the rear, the lower tailgate and black protectors clearly identify the Peugeot 3008 from its more sedate stable mate. Of course the raised ride height and 4.365-metre length mean the Peugeot 3008 will never actually be confused with the 308.
XSE models run 17-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tyres while the range-topping XTE features 18-inch alloys with Continental rubber.
Selecting the Grip Control option (manual transmission models only) requires 16-inch wheels with Michelin Latitude Tour HP ‘Mud & Snow’ all terrain tyres.
Overall, the Peugeot 3008 is yet another styling victory for Peugeot – and it must be said the French brands are again going through an era where they’re the class of the global automotive design field.
Peugeot 3008 On The Road
Peugeot handed Car Showroom the keys to a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol Peugeot 3008 in XTE trim. Finished in ‘Hickory Brown’ (one of two new exterior colours for Peugeot) with black leather trim, it exuded style and luxury beyond its $39,490 price sticker.
We were in Albury and the drive plan before us traversed the Victorian ski fields en route to Dinner Plain, followed by a return trip to Melbourne that included the Hume Highway’s freeway sections. The route provided a good mixture of roads but – sadly – lots of rain with precious little snow (even though the outside temperature display was frequently below three degrees centigrade and flashing to warn of possible ice on the roads).
The Peugeot 3008 was impressive with its refinement and performance, with the 1.6-litre turbo delivering nice throttle response across the speed range. Hustling along the twists and curves in the run to Mount Hotham, we chose to shift gears manually using the sequential mode of the six-speed auto and this delivered a more sporty dynamic which highlighted the competency of the well-tuned chassis.
Slimy conditions had advisory signs indicating fitment of chains was possible soon so we did test the 3008’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) a number of times and its operation was comparable with most rivals.
Overall, we reckon the Peugeot 3008 chassis dynamics rival the very best in the compact SUV segment – a commendable first-up effort from the French manufacturer but one that shouldn’t surprise given the ‘regular’ 308’s sharp set-up. Even enthusiast drovers will appreciate this SUV’s disciplined body control, turn-in (aided by excellent Continental tyres on the test car) and balance.
At Dinner Plain, Peugeot let us loose on some dirt tracks to sample the various modes of the switchable Grip Control system. It’s a clever optional system which comes with more off-road biased ‘Mud & Snow’ tyres.
Developed by Bosch, the system has five settings (Standard, Snow, All-Terrain, Sand and ESP Off – the latter only operating at speeds below 50 km/h). Each is different – for example the Sand setting delivers reduced torque for slower take-off, but allows slight simultaneous wheel slip from both front wheels).
The Peugeot 3008 probably won’t be tacking Cape York with this system but it certainly does provide increased versatility and access to conditions like, for example, Boat Harbour in Sydney and the beaches on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
Peugeot 3008 Challenges
Generous though the cargo area is (and clever with its three-level floor and two-piece tailgate), the Peugeot 3008 doesn’t quite match some rivals for rear seat legroom which, while a setback for family buyers, won’t bother those with no youngsters to consider.
Peugeot 3008 Verdict
However you look at it, the Peugeot 3008 is a commendable achievement for Peugeot. It’s combination of competitive pricing, excellent engines, generous equipment (with real luxury in XTE specification) and clever technology represents a serious challenge to other Europeans like Renault’s similarly impressive Koleos.
Throw-in its on-road refinement, nice driving dynamics and excellent build quality and the result is a ‘must-include’ for anyone shopping in the compact SUV segment.
Peugeot 3008 Competition
Renault’s Koleos and Volkswagen’s Tiguan are the Peugeot 3008’s European rivals but the big sellers in the Compact SUV segment are the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester. Compared to the other Euros, we reckon the feature-packed Peugeot 3008 presents real competition in the value-for-money stakes.
Likes:
Good looks; lots of kit in both model grades; value; nice drive
Dislikes:
tight rear seat legroom
