Peugeot 3008: Eek! What the hell’s that?

What is it?

Peugeots are looking pretty damn good these days and the 3008 is no exception, if not the icing on the cake.

It’s Peugeot’s offering in the medium-sized SUV segment and a sibling to the larger 5008, and kissing cousin to the highly regarded Citroen C5 Aircross — all of which share the same platform.

There’s a facelifted version of the five-seat SUV on the way sometime next year, but right now Peugeot is dealing on the current model with driveaway pricing across the range.

What’s it cost?

There are three grades to choose from: Allure, GT Line, and GT, the first two with a petrol engine and top of the line GT with a diesel.

They’re all front-wheel drive, with prices starting from $43,990 for Allure, $47,990 for the GT Line and $54,990 for the GT, all before on-road costs.

The GT Line, subject of our review, is currently $49,990 driveaway, and comes with free Nappa leather and a panoramic sunroof.

Prices may vary slightly depending on where you live — to find out plug your postcode into the Peugeot website.

Standard kit includes the aforementioned leather, two zone climate air, rear air outlets, LED headlights, auto lights and wipers, auto dimming mirror, power operated tailgate, digital instrument display, plus 8.0-inch touchscreen with satnav, digital radio plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Parking couldn’t be easier with automatic 90 degree and parallel parking assistance, 360-degree overhead parking camera, plus front and rear parking sensors.

In terms of safety it gets a full five stars and is fitted with six airbags, rear view camera, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) triggered by camera and radar sensors, lane departure warning, driver attention warning, automatic high beam, speed limit sign recognition and recommendation, adaptive cruise control with stop function and blind-spot monitoring.

There’s not a whole lot left to chance really.

What’s it go like?

More than adequately.

A 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine produces 121kW of power and 240Nm of torque, the latter from a low 1400 revs.

In comparison, the turbo diesel in the GT is good for 131kW and 400Nm at 2000 revs.

The price of the diesel could however be a deterrent.

Drive is to the front wheels and is delivered via a 6-speed traditional style auto with gear change paddles and separate sport mode button.

Another button atop the trigger style gear change engages park but not the electric handbrake.

The wagon rides on 19-inch alloys, with 205/55 profile Michelin rubber and a space saver spare.

Weirdly, these are skinnier tyres than the 225s on the entry model (GT gets 235s).

At almost 4.5 metres in length and weighing in at 1371kg, the dash from 0-100km/h takes 9.9 seconds, while fuel consumption from the 53-litre tank is a claimed 7.0L/100km.

There’s a certain sameness about the cabin setup in Peugeots these days, with a small steering wheel and digital instrument panel that is mounted high on the dashboard to avoid the need for heads-up display.

Being digital it can be configured in a number of different ways, from a barebones view with just a digital speedo, to a more traditional look with analogue style tacho and speedometer.

It’s very cool, especially when the dials fold aside, not to mention the burnished copper colouring was a match for the exterior paint of our test vehicle.

Denim style trim inserts provide a trendy if not expensive feel, but the quilted leather trim certainly looks the part.

The seating position in the 3008 provides more room for the steering wheel and instrument panel to co-exist than the 508 that we drove, so one doesn’t block the other.

Oddly, there’s no power adjustment for the seats nor are the heated.

It’s a reasonably comfortable car, with a taught European feel that only starts to display a lack of local suspension tuning when you get into the country.

Around town it’s dandy.

The cabin is quiet but rear legroom is limited and this seems to be the case with most of the Peugeots we’ve driven lately.

Steering and brakes are good, but the brakes can be a little touchy.

Sport mode keeps the engine revs elevated and turbo boost readily available.

BUT what about the bloody sound enhancer? It’s a shocker!

The first time we engaged Sport mode we were so startled by the accompanying audio that we literally jumped.

It’s supposed to make the car sound sportier, but in reality it is dreadful, and worse still can’t be switched off.

At least we couldn’t find a way to do so without disengaging Sport.

Whoever came up with this should be introduced to Madame la Guillotine.

Seriously.

Finally, the 3008 takes premium unleaded. We were getting 7.5L/100km after more than 300km.

What we like?

• French heritage
• Looks the goods
• Designer leather trim
• Sharpish performance
• Good fuel economy
• Rear air vents

What we don’t like?

• Limited rear legroom
• The friggin’ sound enhancer
• Have always hated the French cruise control stalk

The bottom line?

The 3008 is a great looking car, with equal serves of performance and fuel economy.

For the money you get plenty of gadgets, a strong safety story and these days they come with a 5-year warranty — so buying Euro isn’t the gamble it perhaps once was . . .

 

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