Peugeot 3008

Update SUV shapes up well against big brother

SPOT the difference: one of these cars is the Peugeot 3008 we’re running on our fleet, and the other is its seven-seat brother, the 5008.

I had a chance to compare them side by side and the only real bonus the bigger model gives you is the addition of a third row of seats. It’s not as good to drive, nor as good looking as my 3008, so I’d definitely stick with the smaller car if I was choosing between the two of them.

Our 3008 is comfortable, with just enough stiffness in the suspension to keep the car feeling composed but without crashing into potholes. The 5008 is a bit more softly sprung, though, and doesn’t have as good a balance of ride and handling as the smaller Peugeot.

I don’t need the extra seats in the back, and the 3008’s 591-litre boot is much more useful for me: it’s big enough to carry my photography gear, but also family pets and a whole tree that recently needed to be taken to the dump.

The shape of the rear opening helps with access as well. There’s a fairly wide aperture, which helped me to get the individual pieces of wood in and out of the back of the car.

Plus, I’m happy with the proportions of the 3008. Manoeuvring is easy thanks to the reversing camera and parking sensors, and when you drive in town the elevated driving position helps with visibility.

The Peugeot is also proving itself as a car for all seasons; a recent spell of snowy and icy weather has seen us using our car’s Advanced Grip Control technology for the first time.

A rotary dial on the centre console adjusts the driving modes, and while there are settings for taking the car off road, it was the snow mode that came in handy here. It controls the engine and brakes when necessary to help improve grip in the slippery conditions. It worked really well and our front-wheel-drive 3008 handled the snow impressively well.