Peugeot 3008 GT Hybrid - long-term review

In honour of our Peugeot’s nationality, for its goodbye from Top Gear it seemed only fitting to take it on a trip under the Channel to la belle France. Not only would this be a further test of its road trip credentials, but also of its comfort, spaciousness and economy.

I have said before that the 3008 makes any long trip seem like a short one – even a trip blighted by traffic jams. Again this sentiment was underlined on my journey down through the Home Counties and around the interminable M25 to the Le Shuttle terminal in Kent. Yes, I can’t deny that there was a moment of discomfort and panic... but that was as I approached customs, and beyond the remit of the Peugeot. Formalities sorted, I stocked up on lunch at the Flexiplus lounge (which they expect you to eat in your car) and was soon on my way under the sea.

Now, eating in cars is not something I approve of – we all know how crumbs and crisp dust can make a home in the most annoying crevices – but the design of the 3008’s seats meant brushing away the post-lunch detritus was a simple matter of hand sweeping the seat clean. Happy days.

So far, so good. Off Le Shuttle and onto the autoroute for a blast down to Boulogne-sur-Mer watching out for speed cameras and the Gendarmerie Nationale. What is immediately obvious is that French road surfaces are soooo much better than British roads. The cabin noise is minimal – not something that had previously bothered me, but now I know how quiet roads can be, I want it all the time. And the ride is super smooth. The drivers, yes, have more, um, flair (especially the Belgians) but the roads are so quiet it’s easy to cope with the odd bit of flamboyant driving. I might have to investigate relocating TG to France. If only.

Another happy consequence of these smooth roads was the continuation of the Peugeot’s surprisingly good economy – 47mpg on the run down through France. And I am not a dithery and diffident driver. Seems the home country is really inspiring the 3008 to go the extra mile and do its best to impress... which is great, but I was already impressed beforehand on rubbish British roads.

Arrival in Boulogne-sur-Mer comes quickly – it’s really not so far from Calais as you’d imagine, half an hour to 40mins and you’re there... TBH, makes me wonder why I don’t do more trips across the Channel, for me, it’s easier and quicker to get to a French or Belgian seaside town than to go on a weekend break in Yorkshire or Cumbria – so I park up in the hotel car park and go for a wander around the town. In case you’re wondering, it’s well worth a visit. Amazing castle, great cathedral, huge ramparts to walk along, plenty of wine merchants... which will help me test the boot capacity on the way home.

The journey home is punctuated by a trip up the French coast and into Belgium with a stay in Ypres – another beautiful town. Then back to Cité Europe for a quick shopping excursion (yes, more wine) and off to Le Shuttle for a smooth and easy crossing home. And the 3008 doesn’t put a foot wrong the entire time, in fact it hasn’t the entire time it’s been with us.

Which brings me to the question we posed: is the striking-looking Peugeot 3008 a style-over-substance crossover? Initially, I know some people thought it wouldn’t stack up, that it would be a disappointment, but the simple facts speak for themselves – it is stylish (no denying that) but offers a lot more than that and has made driving of all varieties (city, m’way, b-roads)  a pleasure by being comfortable, roomy and economical. Good job.