Peugeot 3008 - Engines, performance and drive

Although the Peugeot 3008 is focused on comfort and uses an uncomplicated suspension set-up, Peugeot’s engineers have worked hard to improve the 3008’s dynamic ability. For the most part, they’ve risen to the challenge and produced something that meets the brief most would expect of a family-orientated SUV.

You immediately feel that the 3008 is softer and more forgiving than firmer rivals like the SEAT Ateca. The long-travel suspension in the Peugeot soaks up bumps well, while some deft suspension tuning means it remains composed on all but the worst roads. Head out onto the motorway, and the 3008 offers strong refinement and comfort, allowing you to tackle long trips without feeling tired.

Push the Peugeot through a series of corners on a B road, and its softer focus is evident. There’s more roll than you’ll find in an Ateca, and big steering wheel movements can upset the car. Keep the pace slower where the 3008’s is more in its comfort zone, and its strong reserves of grip shine through. Its steering is well-weighted and accurate while being light enough at low speeds to ease town driving. A decent 10.7-metre turning circle almost makes a mockery of the Renault Austral with its elaborate four-wheel steering system.

The eight-speed gearbox fitted to the 1.2 PureTech and 1.5 BlueHDi is smooth once on the move, but driving in slow-moving traffic is incredibly frustrating. The stop-start system is the issue here; it engages too soon when coming to a halt and jams the brakes on in the process. Ease off the pedal to make the car perform a more gentle halt, and the engine tends to fire up. It takes the shine off what would otherwise be a slick powertrain.

The e-DSC6 used in the 134bhp 1.2 Hybrid is a dual-clutch automatic similar to what’s been used on VW cars for years. Peugeot’s take on it has an electric motor in the gearbox to allow it to drive for short distances at low speed under electric power alone, and provide a small power boost when accelerating. It’s much smoother than the eight-speed auto around town and should bring fuel economy benefits if you can utilise its EV mode as much as possible. Its help at higher speeds is negligible, though.

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0-62mph acceleration and top speed 

There's one petrol engine, one diesel, one mild-hybrid petrol, and two plug-in hybrids in the Peugeot 3008 line-up, all offering various power outputs.

The line-up starts with the 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech 130 petrol, which is a little more potent than the 1.0-litre TSI found in the Ateca. The 1.2 PureTech produces 129bhp and 230Nm of torque, and comes paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s a great choice, being quiet at low revs and sounding sweet as you get up to speed. The 0-62mph of 9.7 seconds is highly respectable in this class.

The 1.5 BlueHDi 130 has 128bhp and 300Nm torque. It’s more of a relaxed lugger than a performer; its claimed 0-62mph is a leisurely 11.5 seconds.

You’d be wise to check out the 134bhp 1.2 Hybrid instead because it’s nearly as quick as the petrol (0-62mph takes 10 seconds), but it has economy figures not far off the diesel, all with greater refinement.  

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For even greater refinement, you’ll need either of the two plug-in hybrid models, which can travel around 40 miles in electric silence. The entry-level Hybrid 180 makes 178bhp and 360Nm of torque when its turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor work together. It’s quicker than the more powerful 222bhp Hybrid 225 version, hitting 62mph in 8.0 seconds rather than 8.9 seconds, respectively. The upside of picking the latter is it will do up to 41 miles on a charge and, therefore, sits in a lower company car tax band than the Hybrid 180, which will only cover 36 miles.