Peugeot 3008
This family SUV proves that concept car looks and affordability aren’t mutually exclusive, especially when you’re buying used In production 2017-present Price from £10,000 Our favourite version 1.2 Puretech 130 Allure
PRETTY AS A picture, this second-generation Peugeot 3008 was one of the first cars to demonstrate that a family SUV could be both à la mode and practical in equal measure. Stylish inside as well as out, yet still remarkably family-friendly, it was an instant hit.
If it were possible, the 3008’s desirability went up another notch in 2020 when it received a facelift that added ‘sabre tooth’ LED daytime running lights, a frameless front grille and smoked LED tail-lights. Yet despite its glamorous image, the 3008 is one of the most affordable cars in its class as a used buy, ranking alongside the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca for the value for money it offers.
The 3008 shares its engines with various other models in the Citroën/peugeot/vauxhall group, and there’s a good range to choose from. Petrol options include a 129bhp 1.2-litre threecylinder unit (badged Puretech 130) and a 1.6 that initially pumped out 163bhp but was upped to 179bhp in the 2020 facelift. At the same time, two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options were introduced: the 222bhp Hybrid 225 and the 296bhp, four-wheel-drive Hybrid4 300. Diesels initially consisted of a 118bhp 1.6, plus 148bhp and 178bhp 2.0-litre options, but later cars offered only a 129bhp 1.5-litre Bluehdi 130.
Even in original entry-level Active trim, the 3008 is well equipped, with dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and automatic emergency braking. It doesn’t come with sat-nav, but you do get smartphone mirroring. Allure adds sat-nav, as well as a rear-view camera and 18in alloy wheels. GT Line gets you wireless phone charging, while GT features 19in alloys and leather trim. Trims in more recent models were cut back to just three: Active Premium+, Allure Premium+ and GT.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The 1.2-litre petrol engine is eager to rev and surprisingly peppy; it’s more than up to the task of hauling the 3008 around. The 1.6-litre petrol is a smooth performer but has to be worked harder than the equivalent engines in some of its rivals. The Hybrid 225 can feel a little slow to respond when you put your foot down, while the Hybrid4 300 is impressively rapid and can officially cover up to 40 miles on electric power from a full charge, one mile more than the 225.
Of the diesels, the 1.5 Bluehdi 130 can pull
the car effortlessly even when fully loaded, making the earlier 1.6 feel weedy, while the 2.0s are less efficient and no quicker. None of the diesels is as refined as the petrols, either.
The 3008 has a softer ride than many of its rivals and soaks up most road imperfections well, although larger potholes can still upset it. The PHEVS feel more ponderous than the regular models and lean more in corners.
The stylish interior has an uncluttered look, with few physical switches. That means the infotainment and air-con controls are located on a 10.0in central touchscreen on all versions apart from the Active (which makes do with an 8.0in one), and they can be fiddly and distracting to operate while driving.
As with all Peugeots in recent years, the 3008 has a high-set digital instrument panel that you view over the top of a tiny steering wheel. Some drivers might find that the steering wheel can block the instruments unless it’s set uncomfortably low, so it’s worth checking that this arrangement suits you before you buy.
There’s plenty of space up front, while rear leg room is reasonable (if not as generous as in the rival Skoda Karoq), and six-footers will have enough head room as long as there’s no panoramic glass roof fitted. This was an option on some higher-spec 3008s from new, but it eats into head room quite badly.
The boot is a good size and a useful shape. The rear seatbacks lie completely flat when folded, and a height-adjustable boot floor is standard, along with a folding front passenger seat to help accommodate extra-long loads.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Prices start from £10,000 for an early (2017) or high-mileage car. Spend between £12k and £14k
on a good example from 20182019, up to £17k on a 2020 car and up to £25k on 2021 and later cars. The PHEVS start at £26,000.
Fuel economy is competitive. The 1.2 petrol has an official average figure of 46.4mpg, while the best of the diesels is the 1.5 Bluehdi (57.8mpg). Of the PHEVS, the Hybrid4 300 is the most efficient, promising up to 235.4mpg if you do mostly short journeys and plug it in regularly.
In most cases, you’ll pay £165 a year in road tax, or £155 for the hybrids. However, some of the PHEVS cost more than £40,000 new and will therefore incur an additional fee of £355 a year between years two and six.
All 3008s require servicing every 12 months or 10,000 miles, at a cost of £199 for a minor one and £269 for the first major service, then £329 for subsequent big ones. Overall, the 3008 is likely to cost you less to run than many of its rivals.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
There have been a few recalls to check on. Some diesels could suffer from particulate filter damage due to a flawed component in the exhaust system, while the fixings for the
tow bar (where fitted) might not have been tightened to the correct settings, and oil could leak from some cars because a sealing plug wasn’t tightened correctly. In addition, certain rear suspension fixing bolts might not conform to specification and could break, and an engine management software issue could result in incorrect emissions levels.
The 3008 didn’t fare all that well in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, with the petrol version coming 34th out of 39 models in the family SUV class and the diesel being at the bottom of the table. In the overall brand league table, Peugeot ranked 28th out of 32.
WHICH ONE SHOULD I BUY?
Smooth, punchy and reasonably frugal, the 1.2 Puretech 130 petrol is ideally suited to the 3008 while being cheaper to buy and more readily available used than any of the other options. For ease of use, we’d look for an example fitted with the eight-speed automatic gearbox that was optional from new.
Allure trim represents the best value, because it comes with a lot of desirable kit (including additional safety aids). It’s the most plentiful trim on the used forecourts, too.