Peugeot 3008 review

It's the Peugeot 3008, launched in its current third generation guise in 2023, and now available with mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

The previous generation helped turn Peugeot around, thanks to striking design and what was in its day a fine interior. Still is actually. This new one doesn't tear up those themes, but develops them, with style tweaks and an equally rather delightful cabin. Existing owners will move to the new generation smoothly.

It's also a crucial player in the mid-size family crossover game, a rival for the huge-selling Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Ford Kuga. But it feels more premium than that, letting it take aim at the lower-engine editions of the Audi Q3s and Mini Countrymans (Countrymen?) of this world.

HYBRID EH?

Yep. It launched in mild hybrid guise, a 48V system with a small battery. The aim is to give you something like diesel consumption, at least in urban and suburban driving. But with less smell and disapproval. And much less noise. Peugeot admits motorway efficiency doesn't improve. Same for all mild hybrids – they do their thing only when you slow down and accelerate.

So we have a heavily reworked version of Peugeot's long-standing 1.2-litre turbo three-cylinder engine. On the end of it is a new six-speed twin-clutch autobox with the electric motor integrated. If you really want to know the full ins and outs, you can read our handy guide by clicking here.

In late 2024 Peugeot introduced a PHEV variant, which mates a 1.6-litre engine with a 123bhp electric motor and 21kWh battery good for up to 52 miles of electric range, but we’re focusing on the mild hybrid version here until we’ve tested it. Click these blue words if it’s the fully electric variant you’re after.

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

Peugeot always says it makes drivers' cars. Well yeah, but this isn't powerful, so a zero to 62mph sprint occupies 10.2 of your seconds. But the new powertrain is vastly quieter than Peugeot's outgoing 1.2, and less laggy at low revs. It's also properly civilised in stop-go traffic.

As for the rest of the dynamics, this is a solid effort. Again Peugeot's commitment to the driver shows up. It steers urgently. But there are compromises when that aim meets this tall car. The steering is numb, the body rocks and pitches, and the ride's jiggly at B-road speeds.

HOW DOES IT WORK AS A FAMILY CAR?

Peugeot hasn't allowed the dimensions to balloon, so it's the same size outside as the old one. Rear legroom isn't huge, but because you sit high with your legs tucked under it doesn't feel too cramped. The fastback doesn't hurt headroom either, and there are some handy storage spaces.

The huge curved screen and switchgear system is a development of Peugeot's i-Toggle system, and it's easy to use. The teenagers will be useful in setting up its many customisable layouts and shortcuts.

AND THE PRICE?

You’re looking at a starting figure of £34,660 at time of writing. The PHEV is about £6k more and the fully electric version costs about £11k on top, in like-for-like trim.

The third gen 3008 doesn't feel like a revolution on what’s gone before. For many, that'll be a win. Design and cabin are evolved and improved from what was a strong base. The curved screen is a big talking point (literally), and genuinely useful. But taller families might want more rear space.

Overall, though, it beats the Germans for perceived quality, yet it's interesting and progressive, while easy to use. Otherwise, the 3008 is refined and quiet and rides well, and is easy going over long distances. We like the powertrain even if overtaking performance is pretty limited. A better ride and more cornering engagement would sit higher on our to do list. But there are no big shocks here.