Launch Report: Peugeot 3008 offers quality and style with bold design
10 April 2024
The third-generation Peugeot 3008 continues the carmaker’s resurgence with a bold design. Autovista Group (part of J.D. Power) experts from France, Spain and the UK, analyse the model with Autovista24 special content editor, Phil Curry.
Peugeot has undergone a revolution in recent years. A new design philosophy, increased electrification, and even a completely new badge have all helped refresh the brand.
The carmaker will be hoping its revival will carry on into its new 3008 model. As a stylish SUV coupé entering its third generation, the model introduces new elements and ideas from the manufacturer.
In Autovista24’s latest Launch Report, the Peugeot 3008’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are benchmarked against its key rivals in France, Spain and the UK. New price points are also outlined alongside forecast residual values.
Exterior elegance
Today’s Peugeot vehicles feature a new styling which helps them stand out on Europe’s roads. The 3008 does not disappoint in this area. The shield badge sits prominently on the grill, which ripples out from the centre to incorporate the daytime running lights.
Narrow LED headlights sit just above, with a gap beneath the bonnet featuring the ‘3008’ badge. Peugeot looks set to keep including the model name as a leading feature. This gap does break up the front of the car, perhaps drawing the eye a little more than it should.
The coupé roofline and high side panels give the Peugeot 3008 a sporty and strong look. The rear is very flat and seems to add a hard stop to the side profile. Yet unlike some other models in the carmaker’s line-up, the back area has a nice design. Rear lights feed into an LED bar which covers the width of the car. Contours around the bumper break up the styling in a pleasing way.
Peugeot’s design language reverberates across all of its new models. While the 3008 stands out on the road, it blends in with the Peugeot family. This may not be a bad thing, with style commonalities present across all brands. Yet for those looking specifically at the French manufacturer, it may be difficult to choose between vehicles on design alone.
Interior comforts
Inside, the Peugeot 3008 possesses some design elements from other models, some of which may prove polarising.
A small steering wheel has become a feature for Peugeot in recent years and is present in the new 3008. However, this does block some information displayed on the curved 21-inch wraparound screen, including speed data. To drive, the smaller wheel feels very different, which may put some drivers off.
Most of the systems, including the air conditioning, are controlled via touchscreen, making their operation tricky at times. But Peugeot has incorporated its ‘i-Toggle’ system, with a smaller, slimmer touchscreen above the centre console. This features customisable shortcuts to preferred systems, making it much more user-friendly than some other brands where subfolders are used.
The interior features a nice mix of materials, providing a premium look while also being comfortable for everyone on board. There are no hard plastics, and the effect of the centre console raising up and curving into the dashboard is very attractive.
The coupé roofline does not reduce headroom in the rear, meaning it can carry four adults with ease. Practicality continues with plenty of storage inside the car. The 520-litre boot is smaller than some rivals but is still adequate. The model features a dual floor, especially handy in the electric e-3008 as a place to store charging cables.
Performance clause
Peugeot is offering the 3008 as a petrol mild hybrid. While most mild hybrids cannot drive on electric power alone, Peugeot’s system can, albeit for very short distances at very low speeds. The e-3008 is a battery-electric vehicle variant with a range of around 320 miles. A longer-range version is expected later this year.
The ride of the 3008 is passable, but it does suffer on bumpier roads. The suspension can reach its maximum travel fairly easily. The car is heavy too, weighing 2,183kg. This also affects acceleration, with the car needing 8.8 seconds to reach 100kph.
The steering is acceptable, and the smaller steering wheel does not cause any problems when turning sharply. The car handles well with little body roll, yet despite looking dynamic, its performance is ordinary.
Overall, the Peugeot 3008 is a great-looking upgrade on the previous generation, keeping the standout design and adding new touches. Some interior elements may split opinion, but the car is comfortable, stylish, and practical. While the handling might not be exciting, it does not disappoint either. It is a strong offering from Peugeot.
View the Autovista Group dashboard, which benchmarks the Peugeot 3008 in France, Spain, and the UK. The interactive dashboard presents new prices, forecast residual values, and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis.
