YourCar casts its eye over the second generation of Peugeot’s compact 3008 SUV
As before, the 3008 is built around a front wheel drive platform. There’s nothing new in terms of the engine line-up, which is carried over from other models in the brand’s range.
That means the majority of customers will continue to choose the 1.6-litre BlueHdi engine, offered in either 100 or 120bhp guises.
There’s also a 2.0-litre BlueHDi unit developing 150 or 180bhp.
The 3008 range has no 4WD option, but this Mk2 3008 does get a more driver-orientated feel, thanks to the installation of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit compact steering wheel that allows for wrist-flick direction changes.
This second-generation 3008 is a much sleeker-looking thing than its predecessor.
At just 4,450mm in length, it’s one of the more compact models in itssegment, yet offers greater passenger and luggage space over the outgoing model.
With a longer wheelbase and an overall length which is just 80mm longer than the Mk1, interior space has greatly improved, most notably for rear occupants who now have an additional 24mm legroom, 4mm elbow room and 36mm headroom.
Front elbow space has also increased by 17mm, despite the width of the new model being identical to the outgoing version at 1,840mm, and height being 19mm lower at 1,620mm.
Inside, Peugeot has adopted its i-Cockpit design to suit this model, this set-up now also incorporating an Amplify option that means you can quickly change things like ambient lighting and music settings – and even add in cabin fragrances and massaging seat intensity.
Prices sit in the £22,000 to £33,000 bracket, so Peugeot isn’t shy about charging for this car. There are four trim levels – Active, Allure, GT Line and GT. Whichever variant you decide upon, equipment levels are pretty complete. Connectivity is taken care of by facilities like MirrorScreen smartphone linking, induction Smartphone recharging and 3D connected navigation with TomTom traffic reports.
TomTom connectivity also delivers information that could be essential to your journey on things like local weather, car-parks and the location of service stations.
There’s also the Peugeot Connect SOS & Assistance system that will automatically alert the emergency services in the event of an accident.
As for safety, Peugeot is offering what it calls Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert this time round, a system that combines autonomous braking with a lane departure warning system. There’s also a Driver Alert Warning function which will warn you if the car notices fatigue in your driving reactions.
Peugeot’s BlueHDi diesel engines have already proved themselves to be paragons of cleanliness and frugality in the brand’s other models and that’s carried forward here.
This second-generation 3008 design’s lighter weight and sleeker bodywork also helps, plus, as you would expect, there’s an S&S engine stop and start system to cut the powerplant when you don’t need it, stuck at the lights or waiting in traffic.
As a result of all of this, the BlueHDi 120 variant that will probably be the most popular choice manages around 70mpg on the combined cycle and 104g/km of CO
2
.
Even if you go for the PureTech 1.2-litre petrol unit, you’ll still be getting well over 65mpg and 117g/km of CO
2
.
Servicing on most models is needed every year or every 12,500 miles and the cost of garage visits should be affordable too, though Peugeot’s fixed-price maintenance package (there’s a choice of three, four or five-year plans) is a touch more expensive than rival schemes.
You won’t have to worry about that if you’re buying on finance using Peugeot’s attractive “Just Add Fuel” scheme: this wraps up all your monthly costs in one easy payment, so as the name suggests, your only other cost will lie in fuel.
So-called crossover models like this might be the automotive equivalent of sitting on the fence but they do offer an attractive combination of many of the qualities that a significant number of today’s family buyers are looking for.
If you’re one of those people who are uncertain whether to plump for the high driving position and chunky looks of an SUV 4×4 or the handling composure and fuel economy of afamily hatchback, then try one of these first.
Smarter, sleeker and more up-market, thissecond generation 3008 SUV is right back in contention with more modern rivals in this increasingly image-conscious segment.
THE FACTS
Model: Peugeot 3008 SUV
Price: From £22,000
Engine: 1.6-litre BlueHdi diesel producing 120bhp
Performance: 0-60mph in 9.8 seconds, top speed 131mph
Economy: 70mpg
CO
2
emissions: 104g/km
