2017 Peugeot 3008 1.2 Puretech 120 GT Line Review
Peugeot has a new take on styling, interior design and downsized engines. Intrigued, we borrowed the all-new 3008 for a week
What do we have here?
When concept cars are unveiled at motor shows, despite the gushing press release, it’s nigh on certain that what’s in front of you will only bare a passing resemblance to what you’ll see when it lands in showrooms.
That sporting styling with wafer thin lights is gone while the show car’s lovingly crafted interior fused from hemp and tweed is replaced by hard shiny plastics.
Well, Peugeot has bucked the trend and brought the catwalk to the high street with the all-new second-generation 3008 SUV.
It looks like something that Doc Brown and Marty McFly brought back from the year, well, 3008. Gone are the frumpy awkward looks of its predecessor, replaced by striking features complemented with delicate detailing.
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Overall, the new version if 80mm longer but importantly 19mm lower, giving it a sleeker profile. Most important of all is the on average 100kg weight saving thanks to the mix of materials used including a thermoplastic boot floor and tailgate, and aluminium front wings.
There are two petrol and four diesel engines to choose from and four trim levels. On the petrol front, there’s a 1.2-litre three-cylinder Puretech engine with 130hp and a 1.6 THP with 165hp.
The PureTech 130 is available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission while the 165hp gets the six-speed auto.
If you’re after a diesel then you can pick from two variants of a 1.6-litre BlueHDI with 100hp and 120hp and two variants of a 2.0 BlueHDi with either 150hp or 180hp. There’s a range of five- and six-speed manual gearboxes and a six-speed auto.
Trims are made up of Active, Allure, GT Line and range-topping GT with prices ranging from £21,995 – £33,155.
We’re testing the GT-Line with a 1.2-litre petrol engine fitted to a six-speed manual gearbox, costing £25,655.
GT-Line brings a chequered chrome grille with sanded chrome surround, LED headlights, diamond black roof, 18in ‘Detroit’ two-tone alloy wheels and a front sports bumper.
Inside it gets half leather electrically operated seats with massage function, smartphone wireless charging, sat nav, GT-Line steering wheel and floor mats.
The optional pearlescent white paint on our test car cost £675 but the wing mirrors that project the Peugeot lion logo onto the floor at night are standard.
How does it drive?
It’s barely believable that Peugeot would slot a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, albeit a turbocharged one, in a car this size. It generates 129bhp and 167lb ft of torque which is actually rather impressive.
Combine that with a miserly kerb weight of just 1250kg, just 85kg more than a three-door Mini One, and the 3008 actually has more than enough oomph. Peak torque arrives at a lowly 1750rpm meaning it pulls early and hard, through to around 6,000rpm.
It’s not overly rapid with 0-62mph taking 10.8 seconds, however, it feels much swifter in the real-world and has plenty of mid-range torque to deal with steeper hills and to overtake slower moving traffic.
It sounds pretty good too with a playful thrum, happy to be worked hard.
The six-speed manual gearbox has a stocky futuristic gear knob that you grab onto to make the short throw between cogs. You may detect the odd notchy change, though.
It prioritises comfort over the driving thrills. The 3008 has a supple and comfortable ride, taking road imperfections and potholes in its stride.
Pottering around the body can well be a little wallowy. However, push harder and it behaves better, staying more composed through the bends.
The weighting of the steering is well-pitched in the middle ground of resistance and is consistent in feel. A sport button on the dash adds some weighting to it (as well as improving throttle response).
On the motorway, you may notice a hint of wind noise around the wing mirrors but the engine is quiet, making long distance travelling more relaxing.
You get a high up driving position meaning visibility to the front and sides is good. To the rear, there’s a narrow screen, although, it doesn’t obstruct too much of the view while a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors help when manoeuvring or reversing.
What's it like inside?
It’s like very little else and almost reinvents the interior of car design. You’re greeted by a tiny flat top and bottomed steering wheel that looks like it’s been taken straight out of a Starfighter spacecraft. At first, the wheel feels too small for and SUV but you’ll quickly become accustomed to it.
Then your eyes drift to the 12.3in configurable digital instrument cluster that’s an island on the dash ahead of you, before your gaze spans round to take in the driver-focused cockpit that swoops around you, decorated with classy metal piano keys (or teeth), complete with cascading stainless steel trim that falls from the dash to the central console and piano black inserts.
It’s not only the eyes that are in for a delight as your stroke the fabric dressed dashboard and door inserts before your nose is treated to fragrances emitted from Peugeot’s Amplify system that diffuses aromas about your person.
Standing proudly on the top of the dash is an 8.0in infotainment screen, towering out a TVs that rises out of the foot of your bed.
Getting comfortable is pretty easy. The Seats are cosseting and electrically adjustable, and there’s electric lumbar support. In this GT-Line the seats get a half cloth and half leather finish with contrasting stitching.
With the driver’s seat as low as it can go there’s plenty of head room on offer. Add to that a steering wheel that adjusts well for tilt and reach, most should be able to find a good driving position.
The seats also have a massage function with five settings. Try Cat Paw, it’s purrfect.
In the doors, you’ll find very decently sized door bins, ahead of the gear lever is an anti-slip tray with wireless phone charging, there are two cupholders between the seats while a split opening central armrest reveals a deep bin with ‘floating’ tray, which is good as the glovebox is barely usable.
In the rear, most adults will find there is plenty of leg and knee room on offer along with decent head room. Between the seats is a fold down armrest containing two cupholders. There’s another generous door bin back here as well.
The boot offers 520-litres of storage capacity. It has a good sized opening and a flat floor, which is adjustable and can be dropped several inches for more space. Either side there’s a small storage bin and two releases drop the rear seat backrests.
Owning One:
Peugeot claims that on an official combined cycle the 3008 should return 55.4mpg. However, over our 700 miles of testing, we managed an average of 40mpg.
It’ll emit 117g/km of CO2 meaning in falls into the 22% BIK banding for company car users.
It won’t cost too much to insurance at just group 13E banding.
Service plans are available. A three-year 30,000-mile plan cost £12.99 per month while a four-year 40,000-mile one will set you back £13.99 a month.
The 3008 gets a three-year unlimited mileage warranty with Peugeot breakdown assistance.
Verdict:
There are few cars that have so successfully translated catwalk appeal into a brilliant on road package, rendering most of its competition bland and redundant in one fell swoop.
In every way, the 3008 is an interesting and exciting SUV. One that works well, is a delight to sit in, has a terrific engine and comfortable ride.
This has to be the new benchmark for Peugeot and if the firm can build from it, then the future is very exciting indeed.
Driver's Seat Rating:
9 out of 10
It's worth considering:
SEAT Ateca
Volkswagen Tiguan
2017 Peugeot 3008 1.2-litre Puretech 130 GT Line six-speed manual Stats:
Price: £25,495
Engine size: 1199cc turbo petrol
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power: 129bhp
Torque: 170lb ft
0-62mph: 10.8sec
Top speed: 117mph
Fuel economy (official combined): 55.4mpg
CO2: 117g/km
BIK band: 22%
Insurance Group: 13E
Kerb weight: 1,250kg
