Driven: 2017 Peugeot 3008 GT Review
We were invited to the UK launch of the Peugeot 3008 where we tested a range of cars all around the Peak District. Here you can find out about the Peugeot 3008 GT line.
What’s the 2017 Peugeot 3008 all About?
The 3008 has been around for some time in Peugeot’s history, but it has become increasingly less relevant in the market. However, the all new 3008 that has now been released couldn’t be more relevant and up to date.
Taking a look at the car, the design of the latest 3008 model fits in very nicely with the Peugeot design styling. Looking at the front of the car, the focal point is the Peugeot badge surrounded by a premium looking grille that has silver tips framing the French badge. From the side you will notice that the lower edge of the car is trimmed in black bumper material allowing the car to take the odd scrape here and there whilst out on adventures. From the rear you will notice a new rear light configuration that looks super cool and the rear lights are joined together by a black strip taking inspiration from Peugeot’s concept cars. It has outstanding and inspiring design and is a pretty exciting addition to the Peugeot family. It looks great.
A key update that we will be getting on all UK cars will be the new high tech i-Cockpit design. This incorporates two fully-digitised screens for the driver’s instruments and infotainment system. Taking a first look at the graphics, and the experience they give the driver they look to be a game changer to the interior experience of the modern SUV. During the launch we tested them both during the day and after dark, and it impressed in even the most difficult of lighting situations.
The 3008 we tested was powered by a 2.0 litre engine that creates 178 bhp and 295 lb/ft of torque. It was matched with a 6-speed automatic gearbox putting that power to the front wheels. This means that the car will get from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and can do a top speed of 131 mph. The 3008 is able to return a combined economy rating of 58 mpg whilst only putting out 124 g/km of CO2.
How Does it Drive?
Sitting inside the Peugeot 3008 you truly do feel like you are lifted into an SUV. This is something that I have never experienced in a Peugeot before.
Getting out on to the road instantly I felt safe and secure in the 3008. The interior supplied a warm and fresh looking environment that was littered with technology to help make the most out of my journey. The visibility out of the cabin is great both front and back, which is really good for a car of this size and when things do get tricky you have a reversing camera giving you a helping hand.
The GT line model that we tested uses a 6-speed automatic gearbox that seems to work seamlessly. The shifts are both quick and smooth, meaning this large SUV is a nice relaxing drive whether you’re in town or on the motorway.
As with most cars these days the 3008 GT line includes a sport mode, changing the dynamic of how the car operates and squeezing a little more performance out of the car. This changes the throttle mapping and adjusts the gearbox to ensure you are always on the power.
The handling of the car, to me, felt very car-like, despite being an SUV. Although it is 8 cm longer than the previous generation and a much bigger and bolder body, the car is actually still lighter. This means that when driving the car on the road the acceleration, braking and change of direction all feels very nimble. These kinds of characteristics will mean that people who aren’t used to large SUV-style cars will find the transition a little bit easier to get used too.
Other improvements to this new model includes Peugeot’s adaptive cruise control system which means that when on the motorway, for example, the car is able to maintain a set gap from the car in front up to a certain speed. If the car in front brakes, the 3008 will slow down and keep a safe gap. These features are becoming more common and for those of us doing a lot of miles on the road are quality features that make driving a real pleasure.
What’s it Like Inside?
The Peugeot 3008’s interior is a very sensory place for the driver, the graphics and clever animations from the i-Cockpit are great to look at for a start. The GT line trim that we tested was dressed in soft leather which was a treat for your touch, and Peugeot have even designed 3 custom fragrances to finish off the experience and ensure that the inside of the 3008 is more special than anything else you can buy.
The interior central console now features a piano like switch setup which is super unique to the 3008 and offers a premium experience for quickly switching between features on the infotainment system. The switches feel great to the finger tips and are a good example of all the design efforts that have gone into the car.
As with all decent new cars the level of connectivity inside the 3008 meets our high demands, taking advantage of CarPlay and MirrorLink, properly integrating the mobile phone with the mobile car. Other techie improvements come to the sat nav unit that now has TomTom Traffic updates and 3D mapping, improving the journey optimising the route for current traffic conditions.
The Experience
Spending some time driving the Peugeot 3008 GT line around I felt very refreshed by the car, it was great to drive a car with very new, very fresh looks. I really enjoyed this new i-Cockpit design, its subtle but modern design and animations really take the driving experience to the next level.
Verdict
The new 3008 from Peugeot, without a doubt, is a winner in the current market. The 3008 GT line is extremely well equipped, very practical, highly economical, and more than anything it has unquestionable Peugeot boldness making the car stand out from the rest.
Specification
- Price:£32,995
- Engine: 2.0-Litre Diesel
- Power: 178 bhp
- Torque: 285 lb ft
- Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic
- 0-62mph: 8.9 seconds
- Top speed: 131 mph
- Economy: 58 mpg
- CO2: 124 g/km
Author: Paul Hadley