I am going to kick off this Peugeot 3008 review with the elephant in the room and that is Peugeot’s reputation in South Africa. For as long as I have been a motoring journalist, readers have come to me with concerns about buying a French car, specifically Peugeot or Citroën. The worry has always been about parts sourcing and the turn around time it takes for your car to be fixed.
I am not going to lie, for years I have not really recommended Peugeot models above their German and Japanese counterparts because I didn’t want it to come back and bite me in the butt. The sad thing is that I have always been a huge fan of Peugeot’s SUV models. All of them. And the 3008 is not different.
SO WHAT NOW?
Peugeot clearly realised that I was not happy and so they launched PACT, an aftersales initiative that stands for Professionalism, Availability, Conformity and Transparency. They also went all in with Fiat Chrysler to create Stellantis – the fourth largest automaker in the world in terms of volume. I don’t even need to mention the epic rebrand Peugeot has just undergone. Its new brand identity is all about Excellence, Allure and Emotion. And I think the new logo looks smashing!
Needless to say, Peugeot has stepped it up and I think it is about time we all changed our tune about this brand and its reputation. In fact, I think some people are way ahead of me on this. Q1 in 2021 saw Peugeot’s best quarter in terms of sales in five years. This is thanks, in part, to the awesome 2008.
BUT LET’S TALK 3008
This is a car that needs no introduction. Crikey, I don’t think there is an award it hasn’t won! It was launched in 2016 and since then has notched up more than 67 international awards including Car of the Year in 19 countries. INSANE, right?! We really should be seeing a lot more of these models on our roads!
This updated model doesn’t see a change to the model line up or to the engine. It is a mere nip and tuck to the design and such. The front has been restyled with a frameless grill that integrates in to the front bumper. There are new LED head- and taillights and the GT model boasts a chrome roof trim, which looks pretty cool, as well as new 19-inch aluminium wheels. The 3008 also has scrolling indicators which is always a crowd pleaser. And there are two new colours up for grabs; Celebes Blue and Vertigo Blue.
GET IN
The GT model gets a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with all the bells and whistles. You’ll be able to hear whistles loud and clear thanks to the Focal Premium Hi Fi audio system which boasts 10 speakers. There is also now an option of a red Nappa leather interior which looks all kinds of…well…I am not sure. It is certainly not my vibe but I will try not judge you if it is yours. There are new textiles on the Allure model so don’t think it is all about the GT here. Although it pretty much is with the frameless rearview mirror. Which, if I am being completely honest, I just don’t see what the hoo-ha about.
Regardless of whether you choose the Active, the Allure or the GT model, you are guaranteed a bunch of standard spec and a fantastic cabin all-round. The only thing I don’t love about the interior, which isn’t something unique to the 3008, but in fact stretches in to most of the models, is the “piano key” vibe. I am so appreciative of actual buttons instead of just a touchscreen, but I find them to be a bit tacky, if you will. But this is completely subjective and goes against all my journalistic integrity. Bah! Like you believe I had any anyway!
UNDER THE BONNET
The range is still powered by a 1.6-litre turbopetrol that produces 121 kW and 240 Nm of torque. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, across the range. And this makes sense due to the fact that 88% of models sold in this segment are in fact automatics. Manuals are so last season. As are diesel engines in this segment. The drive on this car is just superb. It is smooth and beautifully refined. I adore the small steering wheel and the manoeuvrability of this car. Everything just works and it works well. It is super comfortable as well.
SAFE AS HOUSES
I am going to let the press release help me out here because there is an array of standard safety features and driving assist technology packed in to the 3008 and I can’t be bothered to go and reword it all just to make it sound like I have written it. We all know the PR at Peugeot would have done a much better job than me anyway.
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go function on the GT, and it automatically restarts the vehicle if the stop was less than 3 seconds. Otherwise, a simple press action by the driver will restart the function. This forms part of the Drive Assist package.
- Lane Keep assist, the system monitors road marking and road edge to actively assist in keeping the vehicle in the lane should it unintentionally drift across without the indicator being put on. Part of the Safety Plus package.
- Latest-generation automatic emergency braking (detects pedestrians and cyclists, day and night, from 5 km/h to 140 km/h depending on version) with collision risk warning,
- Extended recognition of traffic signs (stop, one-way, no overtaking, etc.).
- Visiopark 1 with 180° rear view camera,
- Visiopark 2 with 360° front and rear cameras,
- Park Assist, sensors to assist in parking,
- Active warning of unintentional lane (or roadside) departure with trajectory correction,
- Driver Warning Alert, to detect driver alertness over long driving times and at speeds above 65 km/h by analysing steering wheel micro-movements,
- Automatic switching to and from high beam,
- Speed sign recognition and recommendation,
- Active blind spot monitoring system (with trajectory correction). This function is available from 12 km/h,
- Hands-free tailgate,
PRICING OF THE UPDATED 3008
If you want more info on this car you are going to have to wait for my video. Which will still be a while seeing as I haven’t actually filmed it yet, but I will, soon! If you can’t wait, then take yourself off to a Peugeot dealership and test drive a 3008. You won’t need me to tell you just how good it is.
- PEUGEOT 3008 Active R 514 900
- PEUGEOT 3008 Allure R 574 900
- PEUGEOT 3008 GT R 644 900
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