The Peugeot 3008 has always been a slightly confusing car: is it an SUV? Is it a hatchback? Is it a small people mover? The first-generation model certainly veered in the latter direction, while the second-gen car was definitely more SUV-ish, with hints of tall hatchback for good measure.
And now there is a new one that morphed into a coupe SUV with strong liftback/sedan elements. So, what exactly IS the 3008?
That’s easy: it is just a good car. Regardless of what segment you want to pigeonhole it in, it simply doesn’t matter. The 3008 is just a very nice thing to live with.
The 3008 was the first Stellantis car to use the new STLA Medium platform. The new 5008 and Opel Grandland have also debuted on it globally, while the next-gen incarnations of the Citroen C5 Aircross, Jeep Compass, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and a number of new DS and even Lancia (yes, Lancia is still a thing) models will also eventually share it.
The 3008 is powered by Peugeot's venerable 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, but like the recently updated 208 and 2008 now runs the Miller cycle - which delays the closing of the intake valves for better “light-load” efficiency - and is paired up with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that is made up of an electric motor in the 6-speed dual clutch transmission and a small 0.43kWh 48-volt battery.
Power is similar to the standard engine with 100kW and 230Nm on hand, but Peugeot says the hybrid’s 5.4l/100km represents roughly 15 percent savings over the standard 1.2 in WLTP testing, with a 20g/km cut in its CO2 number (122g/km).
Like most mild hybrids, the 3008 is less about obvious and massive fuel savings and more about improved drivability without a fuel use penalty, something that is obvious when you first drive it – that relatively small 230Nm of torque is fully available from just 1750rpm, meaning that the 3008 punches off the line with a surprising degree of enthusiasm when required.
It does run out of breath relatively quickly (with the 0 to 100 sprint taking a leisurely 10.2 seconds), but in terms of getting off the line and into that gap in traffic, it is excellent. And being a small SUV/crossover means that the 3008 certainly isn’t aimed at the performance market, offering the sort of power delivery that a likely buyer would describe as “zippy” or "perky".
The 3008 has an almost Toyota hybrid-like way of being more efficient at urban speeds, where it leans a surprising amount on its electric motor and tiny battery.
Drive it like that regularly, however, and you won’t see Peugeot’s official figures, because it’s that “light-load” efficiency thing that is the key here – the 3008 is definitely at its best at low urban speeds.
During our time with the 3008 Hybrid we saw figures that settled on around 6.5l/100km after a week-long a mix of urban and highway driving, with the highway driving definitely being the biggest contributor to that number.
The 3008 has an almost Toyota hybrid-like way of being more efficient at urban speeds, where it leans a surprising amount on its electric motor and tiny battery. At higher speeds and out on the open road the savings are less tangible, but then no hybrid is at its best out on the open road.
In terms of ride and handling the 3008 boasts the same delightfully nimble feel as the 208 and 2008, with accurate (if rather mute) steering and a nicely compliant urban ride. It can occasionally feel a bit fussy over uneven surfaces at speed, however.
All of this adds up to a small crossover that is excellent around town, where it is at its most efficient and comfortable. Something that is amplified by its thoroughly impressive interior that features a big panoramic curved 21-inch dual screen infotainment/digital instrument cluster that sweeps behind the small, low-mounted steering wheel, being visible over top of it in the familiar Peugeot way.
Whatever way you choose to look at [the price] will depend on your view of the Peugeot brand and its value.
A small secondary touchscreen is mounted under the central air vents that features what Peugeot calls “i-Toggles”: 10 user-chosen shortcuts to whatever you use the most, be it HVAC controls,navigation and radio favourites or even seat heating.
The interior is made up of high-quality and very tactile materials, with the dash, door trim and centre console all trimmed in a classy fabric finish, and some subtle and well-judged LED lighting adding to the ambience.
The layout of controls is all very logical and everything falls easily to hand, while the actual design is strikingly unique and very engaging, giving the impression of being from something costing more than the 3008.
That said, while the interior feels like it could come from a pricier car, the 3008 is actually quite pricey in its own regard, with the range –topping GT we drove landing at a rather hefty $62,480.
You could look at this in two ways: it’s relatively cheap when compared to its broadly equivalent European competition like the BMW X1 ($76,100) or the Audi Q3 Sportback ($99,490) or relatively expensive when compared to its more mainstream competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross (that starts at $44,990) and the Kia Niro HEV (that starts at $45,990).
The $62,480 price tag is a big one to swallow, particularly when you consider that the 2008 Hybrid GT is $49,990.
Whatever way you choose to look at it will depend on your view of the Peugeot brand and its value. Yes, the Japanese and Korean competitors are both more frugal and cheaper, but they don’t have that interior and the Peugeot's distinctly Euro appeal...
How much is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT?
The GT tops the Peugeot 3008 range in New Zealand at $62,480. There is also a $57,980 Allure model that loses the GT's Alcantara upholstery, ambient lighting, leather steering wheel, 360 degree camera, heated seats, adaptive cruise control Pixel LED headlights (it still gets standard LEDs though) and contrasting black roof.
The GT also has the option for a panoramic sunroof ($2900) and a full leather interior ($4500).
What are the key statistics for the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT?
The 3008 Hybrid uses the same 1.2-litre ICE/48-volt mild hybrid powertrain and six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission as the 208 and 2008 models, with 100kW and 230Nm on tap.
Is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT efficient?
Peugeot states a 3P-WLTP combined fuel consumption figure of 5.4l/100km for the 3008 Hybrid, which is a figure that would possibly be achievable if you just crept around town slowly all the time, but will climb to a figure in the mid-to-high sixes with real world usage.
Is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT good to drive?
The 3008 has all the distinctly Peugeot hallmarks of a nimble and responsive chassis, accurate and precise steering and excellent ride quality, making it a delightfully enjoyable urban commuter. The numb nature of the steering and slightly fidgety open road ride make it less appealing, but don't rob the 3008 of its essentially pleasant nature.
Is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT practical?
Yes, it certainly is. Despite the coupe-style roofline rear seat headroom isn't compromised, although because it hasn't grown over the. last model, rear legroom is a bit tight.
It offers an impressive 588 litres of boot space with the rears seats up, with 1663 litres available with the rear seats folded down and loaded up to the roofline. Also, the clever centre console offers plenty of usable spaces for storage.
What do we like about the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT?
It is a wonderfully user-friendly car around town, offering up excellent comfort and performance, and an eager nature. The interior is absolutely superb, managing to be interesting and functional, while also using impressively high quality materials.
What don’t we like about the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT?
The $62,480 price tag is a big one to swallow, particularly when you consider that the 2008 Hybrid GT is $49,990. Yes, the 2008 is smaller and the 3008 is all new, but it's still doesn't look good on paper.
What kind of person would the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid GT suit?
Someone who wants a stylish, interesting and distinctly European small SUV crossover for mainly urban commuting, which is something the 3008 is superb at.
