Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid review: stranger thing

The Peugeot 3008 has lived several lives. At launch in 2008 it was a people mover-type thing, with somewhat polarising styling: a smaller sister car to Peugeot’s actual family people mover, the more upright 5008.

The 2nd-generation 3008 in 2016 was a more conventional-looking SUV, and the formerly separate 5008 became a longer-roof version of the 3008: similar styling, many shared components, but a longer roof and an extra row of seats.

The current 3rd-generation 3008, launched in 2024, has shifted to a more coupe-SUV profile, while the 5008 has stayed where it is... which means they’ve kind of separated out again. Are you keeping up?

You might remember a kerfuffle about Peugeot's future in New Zealand earlier this year, following an announcement by Australian distributor Inchcape that it was dropping the brand. Some media organisations, including a few big ones that really should know better, didn't seem to understand how business works and that the French brand is handled by a completely different company in NZ.

Auto Distributors (ADNZ) moved to assure Kiwi customers that Peugeot was alive and well here back in July, signalling four new dealers and a new FOC service package.

It's also given the 3008 GT hybrid a little specification tweak. The price has sneaked up $1000, to $64,990.

On the outside: what are the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid's main design features?

There’s nothing new on the outside for 2026, but the 3008 is still a pretty wild-looking thing for a vehicle that’s essentially a mainstream small-medium family SUV. Lion’s claw running lights and all that.

This is Peugeot still doing what Peugeot does best: being willfully weird, but in a way that wows people instead of scaring them off.

It’s also larger than you might think; at 4540mm in length, it’s just 60mm shy of a Toyota RAV4.

The exterior colour palette is surprisingly subdued: white, grey and black feature. Our car’s hero Obsession Blue Metallic is undeniably the most striking choice (there’s a less lurid Ingaro Blue if you prefer).

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid cabin like?

The major specification upgrade for the 3008 GT is the addition of power-adjustable front seats with Alcantara upholstery and full massage.

The steering wheel is tiny and sits kinda in your lap, so you’re looking over the rim to the driver display. It’s a layout that Peugeot calls i-Cockpit.

This edges the GT equipment package very close to the $68,990 3008 GT Premium, which merely adds Nappa leather and heated rear seats (both models already have heated front chairs). So don’t be surprised to see the Premium quietly disappear once current stocks have run out.

The 3008 has great front seats anyway, but the Alcantara adds a touch of grippy goodness and as is always the case with Peugeot, the massage stuff is full-on. You have the choice of the brand’s signature Cat Paw pattern (you can see what it’s done there), Wave, Stretch, Lumbar, Shoulder, Snake, Side to Side or Butterfly. All with varying levels of intensity. Enjoy.

The rest of the cabin is pretty busy design-wise and more than a bit weird, but weird in a familiar Peugeot way. The steering wheel is tiny and sits below the main instrument panel, which means it’s kinda in your lap and you’re looking over the rim to the driver display. It’s a layout that Peugeot calls “i-Cockpit”.

There are several layers of screens and storage areas. The infotainment display is slender (part of a single unit with the main instruments) and supplemented by a separate configurable row of shortcut touch-controls called “i-Toggles”, in the centre console.

It's actually all rather useful, although this setup is not as novel as it was at launch. The modern generation of giant iPad-like infotainment displays often have a dock of permanent shortcuts along the bottom that serve the same purpose.

But overall, it’s quite a cabin experience… and a quality one at that. The fit and finish is superb and the fabric-covered dashboard surfaces add touchy feely texture.

It might be coupe-esque in profile, but the 3008's relatively tall cabin means it’s still a pretty spacious family car. The 588-litre boot is especially good for the segment.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid like to drive?

The powertrain is unchanged: a hybrid setup with Peugeot’s ubiquitous 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine at its core, an electric motor housed within the gearbox and a tiny 0.89kWh battery as part of the 48-volt power system.

The powertrain is supposed to be very sensible and efficient, but the whole thing is also a hoot. The 3-pot engine is deliciously thrummy and energetic under load.

Peugeot used to call this a “mild hybrid” but it’s not really, because there's an electric motor capable of driving the wheels. The company reckons it’s doing the majority of the driving up to 50% of the time in urban situtations.

It's all supposed to be very sensible and efficient, but the whole thing is also a hoot. The 3-pot engine is deliciously thrummy and energetic under load, even if it takes a moment to gather its thoughts when you ask for urgent action - partly because the Miller Cycle operation favours light-load efficiency. The hybrid system helps fill in the gaps, with peak torque available at well under 2000rpm.

Because the electric motor is in the gearbox, even during electric running the powertrain is cycling through its 6 gears, so the driving experience is pleasingly conventional. No continuously-variable oddness or flaring, although the combination of the tiny engine, dual-clutch gearbox and hybrid stuff can create a little staccato pup-pup powertrain effect when you're not decisive with the throttle.

The 3008 GT probably feels a bit sportier than it really is, thanks to the small steering wheel and unusual driving position. But it’s a well-sorted SUV and still steers with authority. The zingy powertrain, accurate steering and balanced chassis mean it feels like a proper car. 

Think of the 3008 GT more as a little luxury SUV and you’re closer to the mark. If you can resist wringing the little petrol engine out all the time (it’s difficult, though), the 3008 GT is extremely quiet at a cruise.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle warranty is 5 years/100,000km. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km. 

Peugeot NZ has just introduced a complimentary 3-year/ 45,000km Assured Service Plan (applicable for cars purchased from July 2026).

On the whole: what do we think of the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid?

In some respects, the 3008 GT hybrid is Peugeot doing what Peugeot does best: being willfully weird and unnecessarily different, but in a way that wows people instead of scaring them off.

This a strange but strangely premium-feeling car, with lots of character, an interesting hybrid setup that helps with impressive fuel efficiency (the 3-cylinder engine is pretty good on its own, actually) and surprising refinement at a cruise.

So you get all of that, plus some fancy seats with Cat Paw massage. And Alcantara is nicer than leather, so there’s really no reason to think about spending the extra on the Premium version any more.

Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid FAQs

What kind of car is the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid?

A small-medium coupe-style 5-door SUV.

Does the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid have hybrid or EV technology?

It's a hybrid, with the electric motor in the gearbox.

What’s the fuel economy of the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid?

It's rated at 5/4l/100km under NZ's 3P-WLTP protocol.

Is the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid safe?

It does not have an ANCAP rating (and Peugeot has now exited the Australian market), but it rates 4 stars under Euro NCAP.

What safety and assistance features does the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid have?

What are the Peugeot 3008 GT hybrid's main rivals?

• Volkswgen T-Roc R-Launch Edition ($65,490): New T-Roc with everything, mild hybrid but very thrifty.
• Nissan Qashqai Ti-L e-Power ($62,990): Top version has clever range-extender hybrid power, but it's costly for a Qashqai.
• Mazda CX-30 Takami AWD ($51,990): Also crosses the hatch/coupe line, clever SkyActiv-X engine.
• Hyundai Kona hybrid Limited N Line ($59,990): And you thought the Peugeot looking strange. But top Kona is an interesting hybrid SUV.
• Mini Countryman C ($58,990): Not a hybrid but Countryman is a 3-cylinder. You'll need another few thousand for the obligatory Mini option pack.