I have driven the future and it is a Peugeot 3008.
With the current popularity of SUVs showing no sign of abating it is no wonder that Peugeot have brought out their rather wonderful 3008. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Peugeot have spent time making sure that the 3008 will be all things to all men/women whilst avoiding falling into the trap of producing something bland and uninspiring. Just a glance at this GT-Line on test confirms the level of care and attention to detail that Peugeot’s designers and engineers have used on this latest iteration of the 3008.
A little background information provided by Peugeot tells us that they have always adhered to a high-quality and innovative French manufacturing tradition. Now more than ever, Peugeot is channelling it’s energy into designing vehicles with striking desirability that deliver a sensory experience beyond driving. Ergonomics, materials, connectivity – every detail has been thought out to give you a more intuitive drive. And as such, all of Peugeot’s expertise gained through the years has led to this point, the all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV, over 200 years in the making.
Quite bold talking then.
As the interior of the 3008 GT-Line and technology within is so strong it makes sense to start by highlighting some of the superb driving aids that combine to create a car that will happily cover distance whilst still delivering the driver and their passengers safely and relaxed. Perhaps the most innovative and daring aspect of Peugeot’s creative thinking has been the game changing i-Cockpit®.
Peugeot have clearly looked at the most important position in the cabin and thought long and hard about how to make the driver more of an integral part of the car and the car a more integrated part of the driver. In fact Peugeot state the following regarding this most clever aspect of their newest SUV: Increase your senses tenfold on board the all-new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV. With its spectacular new PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, the 3008 SUV invites you to explore a 100% digital world. The 8.0” capacitive touchscreen with smart phone levels of responsiveness, configurable 12.3” head-up digital instrument panel which can be personalised to suit the driver’s needs and the compact sports steering wheel with integrated controls are guaranteed to enhance your driving experience.
And yet what is it about the i-Cockpit® that creates the feeling that you’re in something special, something different and exciting? I’ll let Peugeot explain: Taking your seat behind the wheel in the all-new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV allows you to fully appreciate the configurable 12.3” head-up digital instrument panel. Featuring crisp graphics, this large display can be customised to provide a variety of display modes. Modes include a traditional ‘Dials’ selection, similar to the traditional analogue style. Other modes include the ‘Driving’ selection as shown above, whereby driver assistance information takes centre stage allowing the dials to take on a ‘roller’ appearance. In addition a further 3 modes are available, ‘Personal’, ‘Minimal’ and ‘Navigation’
What Peugeot fail to mention though is how much the i-Cockpit® empowers the driver, allowing you access to features and functions at the touch of a button or screen. It’s the ease of use that makes this such a game changer allowing you to create an environment in which the technology creates a symbiotic relationship with the driver, allowing you to understand more about the car and conditions that you find yourself in. Perhaps the most useful of all the different options is the ability to display the sat nav map and instructions clearly across the dashboard in front of you whilst still allowing for the revs and speedo to scroll at either side. It really does make a difference and means that you can keep your eyes on the road which is especially important when driving somewhere you don’t know quite as well.
With stylish buttons to control the cars features placed on the centre console, styled as if on an aircraft, the 3008 is easy to configure to your exact liking with so many features customisable such as the DAB radio, Bluetooth music streaming, phone settings, seat massage options, scent choice and strength, seating and steering positions, screen colours, ambient lighting, climate control and so on and so forth. You really do need to spend time with the Peugeot’s manual whilst sat on the driveway working your way through the different options available, it really is worth it.
The exterior of the 3008 shines as much as the interior with neat and classy touches everywhere you look. Take the rear lights for example, an evolution of Peugeot’s signature tiger claw design and a styling touch that delights, especially when dusk falls and the automatic lights begin to shine. With it’s aggressive chequered chrome grille, it’s quite clear that Peugeot have taken as much time on the front of this SUV as they have the rest of the car. Either side of the grille are a pair of quite superb headlights utilising full LED technology and LED sequential scrolling front indicators which combine to provide clear views of the road ahead and allow the rest of the traffic to be made fully aware of your intentions.
The wide array of colour choices and wheels available allow this handsome Peugeot to be shown off to its best, with subtly extended wheel arches, a raised, horizontal bonnet, touches of chrome around the windows and the special Coupe Franche two tone colours, the 3008 gives the impression that almost every aspect of this rather special SUV can be tailored like the very best bespoke Saville row suit. Too much? Take a look the next time one goes past and admire.
But all of that style would be wasted if there was no substance to back up the superb looks. Fortunately the GT-Line on test arrived sporting Peugeot’s excellent 4 Cylinder 1560cc Diesel engine putting out 120bhp @ 3500rpm and delivering torque figures of 221 lb/ft @ 1750rpm which combine to provide power low down where you want it most. The BlueHDi powerplant, Peugeot say, delivers the cleanest diesel engine possible and exceptional fuel economy of up to 91.1mpg and hybrid-rivalling CO2 emissions as low as 82 g/km which also help when it comes to driving. This is not the style of car that you want to be chasing revs in as the excellent EAT6 automatic gearbox keeps you right in the power curve at all times. Put your foot down and this SUV positively scrambles down the road, never feeling out of shape but providing enough feedback through the compact sports steering wheel for you to understand what the front wheels are doing at any time. For me personally, the smaller steering wheel that Peugeot have turned (ahem) to is the perfect choice and one which offers a better feel when pushing the Peugeot through the bends, a job it does rather well allowing you to make progress as the journey dictates.
On longer journeys the practicality of the 3008 come to the fore with more than adequate room for children and adults in the rear seats whilst the front seat passenger and driver benefit from the raised driving position that an SUV offers. An excellent boot offering a minimum of 591 litres and a maximum of 1,670 litres takes care of everything the average family can pack whilst ambient lighting and scent create a rather relaxed atmosphere within the cabin.
With a long journey ahead, the ease at which you can cover serious mileage is quite phenomenal and one which holds no fear due to the wide range of driving aids available. Active Blind Spot Detection, Active Lane Keeping Assistance, Advanced Driver Attention Alert, PEUGEOT Smartbeam Assistance, Adaptive cruise control with stop function and emergency braking system with camera and radar allow the driver to concentrate fully on the drive itself with the full knowledge that the 3008 has got your back if you need it. A comforting feeling and one which continues to build the further you drive and get to know your Peugeot.
Do I want one? Yes.
Would I spend my own money on one? Absolutely.
Peugeot have taken the class by storm here. The 3008 SUV is stunning to look at and incredible to drive. It offers technology in abundance and can be tailored exactly how you want it to be. European Car of the Year 2017, the Peugeot 3008 SUV GT Line Blue HDi 120 EAT6 really does have it all.
Where will you go?