Peugeot 3008 gets a stylish midlife tweak
The Peugeot 3008 was launched in 2016 and has garnered many international awards, including 2017 European car of the year. Now the C-segment SUV has received a midlife refresher.
It is a segment that accounts for one out of nine new cars sold in SA and includes rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 and VW Tiguan.
A facelift gives the French SUV a fresh look with a frameless grille, more aggressively styled front LED headlamps and fang-style daytime running lights. The latter mimic Peugeot’s smaller 2008 SUV, which was recently launched in SA.
The feline theme, inspired by the brand’s lion badge, continues in the 3008’s rear with 3D tail lights shaped like three claw marks. The tail lights are now full LEDs and are covered in smoked glass.
The 3008 (pronounced three thousand and eight) also has an updated interior with a larger, 10-inch high-definition touch screen for the infotainment system in the top-of-the-range GT model. The other two variants have smaller 8-inch systems. To complement the touch screen, elegant aluminium piano keys allow direct access to the main infotainment functions.
The piano keys help create an interior with Peugeot’s typical upmarket flair, and the facelift comes with new trims that add to the allure. The range-topping 3008 GT model is now available with new red Nappa leather upholstery as an option over the standard black Nappa.
The GT variant also adopts smart-looking dark lime wood trim adorning the dashboard and doors.
A digital instrument cluster adds to the cabin’s hi-tech appeal, and as per Peugeot’s modern trend the driver peers at this display over a small-diameter steering wheel, instead of through it. The steering mounted lower than usual feels odd at first, like it’s sitting in your lap, but it becomes more natural over time.
The small steering wheel adds a dose of psychological agility to driving Peugeot’s midsized SUV, and the car’s actual nimbleness gets no complaints. The 3008 swept through Cape Town’s coastal curves surefootedly when I drove it at last week’s launch. It felt more car than SUV-like in its roadholding, and didn’t lean excessively in faster-paced corners.
The ride quality is acceptable, though the GT model’s lowprofile, 19-inch tyres transferred some harshness into the cabin when cruising over rough roads. The lower-priced 3008s promise better waftability with their higher-profile tyres: 18inch versions on the Allure model and 17-inch tyres on the baseline Active.
Apart from its sportier tyres the range-topping GT offers a number of niceties over the other models, including a driveassist pack with adaptive cruise control, a 515W Focal high-end hi-fi system, wireless smartphone charging, a 360° parking camera, matrix LED headlights and massaging electric driver’s seat.
The spec sheets are well stocked and standard fare across the three-model range includes six airbags, ABS brakes, stability control, dual-zone climate control, rear parking assist, automatic headlights, road sign detection, lane departure warning and emergency brake assist.
Mechanically the frontwheel-drive 3008 is unchanged with all three models powered by a smooth, perky 1.6l petrol turbo engine with outputs of 121kW and 240Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic.
Pricing
3008 Active — R514,900 3008 Allure — R574,900 3008 GT — R644,900
Prices include a fiveyear/100,000km warranty and service plan, including roadside assistance.