2017 Peugeot 3008 Review
Good looking, clever tech and lots of kit – this family car spearheads Peugeot’s new product push
By Shahzad Sheikh
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This is the all-new Peugeot 3008 – it’s the second generation of the nameplate, introduced at the end of last year – it won European Car of the Year 2017.
It’s the first major weapon leading Peugeot’s intention to get serious about the Middle East market and grab a larger share of sales.
And as such it goes head on against stalwarts such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It’s slightly smaller though, and does not come with All-Wheel Drive. Although it does have a kind of all-terrain type system called Grip Control.
There’s one engine choice, it’s a 1.6-litre Turbo unit putting out 165bhp and 177lb ft through the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic with paddleshifts.
There are three trim levels, starting with the Active at AED89,900 ($25k) featuring 17-inch alloys, cruise control, 4 airbags, 6 speakers and they all come with a five-year warranty and three-years servicing package.
Next one up is the Allure at AED99,900 ($27k) which gets 18-inch alloys, panoramic sunroof, leather and fabric upholstery, sat nav, rear camera and full climate control.
This one is the GT-Line priced at AED116,000 ($32k) – which appears to be the best value proposition when you learn that it’s stacked with enough kit to shame an S-Class!
Yes it gets ever more stylish 18-inch wheels, but it also gets LED headlights with sequential indicators, Nappa leather upholstery, front massage seats, 10 speakers, 6 airbags, a fragrance diffuser, wireless phone charger, 360-degrees reversing camera, parking assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and auto-braking.
I’d say this is the one to get!
Luggage space is good with handles in the back to drop the second row seats almost flat for extra space. The rear cabin room isn’t bad considering this car is slightly shorter than rivals, but the lack of USB ports is surprising considering how well this car is otherwise equipped.
Up front is where all the drama is, not just with the sheer levels of kit and spec, the fun of playing with the satin chrome toggle switches, the selection of cabin ambience between Relax and Boost and feeling up the coarse but appealing fabric trim that runs around the cabin.
The biggest talking point is how the instrument panel sits so much further away from the driver and how the steering wheel is reduced in size and placed lower so that you look over it, rather than through it.
I’ve got to admit it takes getting used to, but once you adapt it’s not an issue. An interesting arrangement and certainly unique.
This thing has paddle shifts and a Sports mode, but this is not a sporty drive by any means, although performance is good enough for city driving and highway commuting, and handling and grip are surprisingly good.
If it wasn’t a high-riding vehicle with a ride tuned for comfort, it might be considered a hot hatch – or at least warm. Handling is pretty neural and the steering is responsive.
Overall this is a highly likeable and appealing proposition, best tasted in top spec, so it’s worth spending – or financing the extra – to go for the GT-Line version, because the proportional benefit of extra equipment versus price, I think, makes it a no-brainer.
Add in appealing and charismatic styling, with decent practicality and easy everyday usability, and Peugeot should be onto a winner here!
