Peugeot 2008 VS Peugeot 3008
Peugeot 2008
Likes
- Good looks
- Charming engine
- Affordable servicing
Dislikes
- Stiff suspension
- High price
- Driver display hard to see
Peugeot 3008
Likes
- Unique, stylish looks
- Great to drive
- Spacious
Dislikes
- Expensive
- Slow to charge
- 60km electric range
Summary
Peugeot 2008
Looks are subjective but Peugeot’s updated 2008 small SUV is good looking from every angle.
The update brings a raft of design tweaks and some tech upgrades, but mechanically there isn’t anything new.
It’s not a cheap car and its diminutive size might scare off some buyers who can cross-shop cheaper and more value focused alternatives from mainstream Japanese and Korean brands.
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We are driving the range-topping 2008 GT variant to find out if it’s more than just a pretty face.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.2L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.5L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Peugeot 3008
The great downpour of electric vehicles hasn't hit Australia yet, but vehicles such as Peugeot’s 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is one of the big drops signalling that storm is about break. But should you wait until the EV ‘rain’ sets in or be an early adopter?
The range-topping 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is Peugeot’s first electric SUV to arrive in Australia. Electric in that it has electric motors, but also a petrol engine, making it a hybrid – the type you plug into a charger to fill the battery back up.
Peugeot gave me a 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid to test over three days and I quickly discovered what this mid-sized SUV was good at, and where it could be better.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.6L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid with Premium Unleaded |
| Fuel Efficiency | 1.6L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Peugeot 20087.2/10
The Peugeot 2008 is a handsome and accomplished little SUV that’s fun to drive and has a cabin that feels a little bit special.
In reality the 2008 is too expensive and isn’t as practical as most of the mainstream compact SUVs.
This is the car you buy with your heart, not with your head.
Peugeot 30087/10
Technology is supposed to make life better and easier, but I’m afraid this hybrid version of the 3008 falls short on that score due to its slow charging and limited range. Nor does this hybrid version make a great driving, practical and good looking SUV much better.
Then there's the price. A list price of $80K is too much, relative to class rivals and the petrol equivalent 3008.Â
For this money you could buy a Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Tesla Model 3. All charge at (relatively) lightening-quick rates and deliver about 400km of range. And none of them require petrol, because they are fully electric. Â Â
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid needs charging pretty much every moment it’s not being driven in order to make sure all of that 60km of range doesn’t run dry.
That’s a lot to ask from people in Australia who don’t blink at driving 500km for a family holiday, in a country which has far fewer charging locations than Europe.Â
Design
Peugeot 2008
The Peugeot 2008 is a smooth operator with head-turning French flair, but the devil is in the detail.
It’s not just the 2008’s well proportioned dimensions or the healthy dollop of exterior black highlights that catch your eye, but Peugeot has added a range of design cues to symbolise the Lion on its badge.
The tail-lights have a 3D effect that make them look like cat’s claws and the daytime running lights on the front resemble a scratch mark. These pair perfectly with the lion head crest on the grille.
Look deeper and you notice the attention to detail.
The 2008's redesigned front grille's slates are colour matched to the car's body colour.
Dual exhaust pipes are finished in chrome, giving the impression of performance even if the car doesn’t deliver on it.
The GT variant gets a two-tone paint job with a black roof contrasting with the body's colour.
Inside there are plenty of high quality finishes. The centre console is festooned in gloss black and there is a lovely carbon-effect textured insert on the dash and doors.Â
Some hard plastics below eye-level and on touch points such as where your knee might rub are less impressive. The rear seat loses some of the lustre of the front pew with tough plastics covering the back of the front seats and most of the doors.
Peugeot 3008
There’s never been a Peugeot that hasn’t been interesting in its design. That’s a big part of their appeal and the 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is intriguingly good looking inside and out.
Look at the grille with its chrome studs filling that monstrous grin like glistening teeth. And see how the headlights blend into the jagged design and notice the eyebrow-like ridges above them which extend into the bonnet towards the windscreen.Â
It’s a tough-but-pretty design that’s carried on down the side panels as they curve and crease towards the tailgate with its striking LED tail-lights.
The cabin is stunning with its black leather upholstery, metallic and faux wood trim, and Peugeot oddities such as the small angular steering wheel, the elongated gear shifter and high-placed instrument cluster. Â
Practicality
Peugeot 2008
Step inside and there is no hiding the 2008’s diminutive proportions.
It’s 4300mm long, 1815mm wide and 1550mm high, which puts it closer in size to the mini Mazda CX-3 than the larger CX-30 it is more aligned with price-wise.
This all adds up to a snug fit in whichever row you sit.
There are a couple of cupholders in the centre console - a smaller one for a standard takeaway coffee and a larger one for drink bottles.
Slight storage bins in the door can hold a regular drink bottle but there isn’t much room for much else.
The wireless device charger is hidden away behind a compartment below the central screen that opens with a push and there are two USB-C ports up front and the rear seats score a USB-C and A connection.
Rear seat passengers do without a dedicated aircon vent, unfortunately.
There is an issue with Peugeot’s i-Cockpit steering wheel and digital driver display, too.
If you like to sit low the chances are the steering wheel will cut off your view of the bottom part of the display. If you prefer to have the seat jacked up, you’ll have better vision of the readouts.
There are piano key-like physical controls for simple climate functions such as the de-mister and auto climate settings. More complex functions are done via the 10-inch central multimedia screen.
The boot is a decent size at 434L and can easily handle a weekly grocery shop or a few overnight bags.
There is only a space saver spare wheel, but this car is aimed at city driving where it is easier to source a replacement tyre.
Peugeot 3008
I think we can all agree leather trousers look tremendous, but aren’t very practical. And there are some SUVs where form is favoured over function, too. But not this one... in most cases.
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is spacious for a mid-sized SUV with great cabin storage and a big boot.
Up front there are huge door pockets that are more like buckets, a large split opening centre console storage box and two cupholders.
The second row has smaller door pockets and two cupholders in the fold-down armrest.
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid’s boot is big compared to its rivals at 591 litres with the second row up, and 1670 litres with the rear seat folded.
For people space, there’s more than enough room for me at 191cm to sit behind my driving position.Â
For charging there are USB ports and a 12V power outlet.Â
Price and features
Peugeot 2008
The 2008 range kicks off at $39,990, before on-road costs, for the base Allure grade and rises to $44,490 for the fully loaded GT variant.
That’s a lot of money for a small SUV, especially considering the Skoda Kamiq range starts at $32,990, you can get Nissan’s Qashqai from $33,890 and a Mazda CX-30 for $33,140.
There is a lot to like about the 2008’s standard equipment list, though.
Flash looking 17-inch alloy wheels are complemented by adaptive LED headlights that control individual LEDs to brighten the road without dazzling oncoming vehicles. The headlights will automatically switch on in low light situations and stay on for a short period of time after you exit the vehicle to make it easier to find your way to the door at night.
A 10-inch multimedia screen is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless device charger completes the cord-free ecosystem.
Peugeot’s 'i-Cockpit' brings a 10-inch driver display with 3D readouts paired with a small steering wheel.
GT buyers can expect eight colour ambient lighting, a six-speaker stereo, four USB charging ports, in-built sat nav and brushed aluminium foot pedals.
Well bolstered seats are heated up front and wrapped in synthetic suede and leather upholstery with contrast green stitching. The driver’s seat is power adjustable and has a massage function but the front seat passenger will need to move the seat themselves.
There are rain-sensing wipers, roof rails, power folding and heated side mirrors and a space saver spare wheel.
It’s a solid list of equipment but is missing some features you’ll find on similarly priced rivals such as a head-up display.
Peugeot 3008
Peugeot offers the plug-in hybrid version of its 3008 exclusively in the top-of-the-range GT Sport grade for a list price of $79,990. That makes it the most expensive Peugeot offered in Australia.
This hybrid is $20,000 more than the petrol version, in the same GT Sport grade, with identical standard features.
Electric cars are currently more costly to produce than their petrol counterparts, but expecting consumers to fork out $20K is hard to justify. Particularly when prestige rivals to the 3008 Plug-in Hybrid cost less. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in lists for $66,990.
But if you're determined to own the GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid you’ll be treated to the full banquet of 3008 features.
Coming standard is a 10.0-inch media display, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, sat nav, a 10-speaker Focal stereo*, dual-zone climate control, power adjustable and heated front seats, and Nappa leather upholstery.Â
*UPDATE: Peugeot advised on 5Â May 2022 that Australian-spec MY22 models will temporarily omit the Focal premium audio system due to a manufacturing irregularity. See your Peugeot dealer to confirm when this feature will return.
There’s also a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch alloy wheels, aluminium roof rails, LED headlights and running lights, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, auto parking, proximity key, and tinted rear windows.Â
Under the bonnet
Peugeot 2008
Lurking beneath the bonnet is a little three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 96kW and 230Nm. That’s a decent amount of grunt from the little unit, but again you can get more oomph for less from mainstream rivals.
It is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.
There is no hybrid help, either.
Peugeot 3008
The all-wheel drive (AWD) 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a 81kW/320Nm electric motor on the front axle, an 83kW/166Nm motor on the rear axle, and a 147kW/300Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine driving the front wheels.
The total combined output is 222kW/520Nm, which makes it one of the most powerful mid-sized SUVs for the price. Acceleration is impressively quick with 0-100km/h coming in just 5.9 seconds.
Efficiency
Peugeot 2008
Stiff emissions regulations in Europe mean these little turbocharged petrol engines have a fair bit of self control on the drink.
Peugeot claims the 2008 uses 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle. We used slightly more than this but spent most of the time in the cut and thrust of city traffic where cars use more fuel.
You’ll need to budget for pricier premium unleaded petrol, too.
Peugeot 3008
This sounds obvious but plug-in hybrids need to be plugged into a charger. And I mean they need to be charged every time you’ve finished driving for the day.Â
Otherwise, you’ll run out of charge and your fuel use will rocket past that of a petrol-powered 3008 due to the extra weight in batteries and motors you’re lugging around.
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid has an electric range of 60km, although I went through the entire charge in less than 50km. Then I had to hunt down a fast charger and discovered it would take about four hours to stuff the batteries full of power again.
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is extremely slow to fill up due to a small 3.7kW onboard charger. If the inverter unit was larger (as in BEVs like the Tesla Model X or Hyundai Ioniq 5) charging time would be much faster.
Charging overnight each day you use the 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is the scenario you’ll have to adopt if you want to get the most out of this SUV.Â
I found that after starting with a full charge and driving it for a day of mainly urban usage the trip computer was reporting an average consumption of 1.4L/100km.Â
If you plan on adding motorways and open roads into the mix Peugeot says you can expect to use 1.6L/100km.
That’s outstanding fuel economy, but let the charge run out and you’ll start seeing 9.5L/100km, and higher, as I did.Â
In that scenario the petrol engine needs to lug 1.8 tonnes around, a decent chunk of which is heavy batteries and motors, which aren’t doing anything.
If you don’t have access to power at home to charge a car, then you’d be better off with the type of hybrid which charges through the engine and regenerative braking, such as a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.Â
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid has received such a low score here because of its extremely slow charging time and limited range.Â
A larger inverter would solve this issue. It's possible consumers will end up using a lot more fuel than the pure petrol variant unless they are vigilant in always charging this car (nearly) every time it is not being driven.
Driving
Peugeot 2008
On the road the 2008 is a bit temperamental.
Most European cars are fitted with stiffer suspension than the cosseting springs found in Japanese machines.
This means you’ll feel bumps and road imperfections through your seat more than other SUVs. It has particular problems ironing out consistent smaller bumps, which can unsettle it and lead the 2008 to skip across them.
The counterbalance to that is a more dynamic drive experience, with the 2008 exerting excellent body control through the bends as it is held in line by the stiffer set-up.
Pair this with sharp, direct and well-weighted steering and it's a fun little SUV to take on a twisting country back road.
Three cylinders might not sound like a lot, but in the real world this is all the 2008 needs.
Its 96kW and 230Nm won’t set the world on fire but the torque is accessed from just 1750rpm, which endows the 2008 with some punch off the mark and it feels zippy when navigating the daily commute.
Don’t confuse that for outright speed, though, the 2008 completes the benchmark 0-100km/h dash in 9.3 seconds.
The transmission is fine when you are accelerating or cruising at motorway speeds, where it uses its many ratios to keep the engine humming along in its sweet spot. There are paddle shifters if you want more control.
In stop-start traffic it isn’t as an accomplished performer. It can struggle to find the right ratio and this leads to a jerky movement reminiscent of dual-clutch autos.
The cabin is well insulated with the outside world kept mostly at bay, but you’ll hear the three cylinder’s charming little rumble when you put your foot down.
Parking is a cinch thanks to its petite proportions and the 2008 has no issues navigating tight city streets or underground car parks.
Peugeot 3008
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is an excellent SUV to drive. The ride is composed, the body feels nicely controlled and the handling is good.Â
Add great acceleration, thanks to the torquey motors, and this SUV is well above average when it comes to the driving experience.
Any downsides? There always are. Visibility is compromised by thick, long A-pillars and the steering wheel’s odd shape and tiny size are a letdown. So too is not charging regularly, causing this SUV to suddenly have to lug its 1.8-tonne weight around under petrol power alone.
Safety
Peugeot 2008
The 2008 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, but that mark was given in 2020 and it might not get the same score if it was retested today.
It has six airbags, but misses out on a centre airbag that protects against head clashes in a side on collision.
It has a decent amount of safety equipment with auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Rear cross-traffic alert, which sounds an alarm if a car is approaching from the side as you reverse, is a notable absence.
Peugeot 3008
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid comes with all the safety tech in the 3008's arsenal.Â
There’s auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping technology, blind-spot monitoring, a camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.
There are some gaps though. No rear cross-traffic alert or reverse AEB. These things are now common on new cars.
For child seats there are three top tether anchor points across the second row along with two ISOFIX mounts.
The Peugeot 3008 was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2017, but in the past five years safety tech has come a long way and this SUV has fallen behind.
Please be aware, too, that the plug-in hybrid version has yet to be given a ANCAP score.Â
Ownership
Peugeot 2008
Peugeot covers the 2008 with a five year/unlimited km warranty, which is the standard coverage today.
The French brand offers a range of prepaid servicing packs that’ll save you a handy amount compared to pay-as-you-go maintenance.
A five-year plan is the best value, costing $1700 for five scheduled visits every 12 months or 15,000km. That’s $638 cheaper than the pay-as-you-go servicing.
Peugeot 3008
The 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid is covered by Peugeot’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. The battery is also covered by an eight year warranty.
Servicing is recommended annually or every 20,000km. Service prices are capped, and you can expect to pay $3108 over the course of five years, for an annual average of $622.