This is the Peugeot 3008, and it’s the French manufacturer’s response to the likes of Nissan’s Qashqai and Seat’s Ateca. To succeed in this ever-expanding compact SUV segment it has to offer something different which, and with the combination of its quirky cabin and out-there looks, it may just do. How else does it shape up against rivals though? Let’s take a look.
EXTERIOR
The 3008 is one of the better-looking compact SUVs currently on the market thanks to large LED lights and a range of chrome accents which help it appear far more premium than its £24,000 starting price would lead you to believe. We certainly like the way it looks, and it looks particularly good in the red colour of our test car.
ENGINES
There are two petrol and two diesel engine offerings with the 3008, with an automatic gearbox only available on the more powerful units. Our test car is the 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel, which is capable of delivering up to 70.6mpg combined – some 20mpg better than even the most efficient petrol in the range can achieve.
DRIVING PTC
Now, what do you expect from a compact SUV like the 3008? Well, you expect it to be easy to drive and you expect it to be pretty comfortable too and thankfully, the 3008 does tick both of those boxes. The gearshift is really light and that makes it easy to use and the steering is light too, so navigating small country roads or around town is equally easy.
Under the bonnet of this 3008 is 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Though that’s quite a large engine for the size of car, it’s not that powerful. It means that the 3008 will hit 60mph in over 10 seconds which in anyone’s money is not that quick.
However, it feels more than suitable for most occasions and it feels just as happy on country roads as it does on the motorway.
Now, when it comes to handling, you’re not going to be expecting razor-sharp handling from the 3008, but that’s not what you want from this type of car – you want it to be simple and easy to navigate through the compact roads we have in the UK. It delivers just such a drive. You can place it easily on the road, while the suspension is well sorted for UK roads too.
Believe it or not, the 3008 shares a platform with the Vauxhall Grandland X. Though that car rode quite harshly on larger wheels and was quite wallowy on smaller ones, the 3008 manages to toe the line between the two. If we had to pick one, we’d probably pick the Peugeot.
INTERIOR PTC
The interior of the 3008 feels special indeed, and that’s a rare thing in this segment. These toggle-style buttons look great, while the main switchgear area feels really good to use. It’s an elegant cabin, and one which shows that Peugeot has put genuine thought into making it look different – though it’s backed up by decent build quality, too.
BOOT SPACE
If you’re after good boot space from your compact SUV then the 3008 is a great choice. There’s 520 litres to play with the seats up, and this rises to 1,580 with the rear seats folded flat. That’s more than the Nissan Qashqai can offer.
VERDICT
Despite going up against the myriad of competitors, the 3008 makes a solid case for itself. It’s good to look at, good to drive and it’s economical too. In short, if you’re after a compact SUV, then the 3008 really should be on your list.
