Peugeot 3008 2015 Review

With its freshly-designed snout and 'floating claw' LED headlights the updated Peugeot 3008 now favours restraint over overt quirkiness.

Peugeot has also simplified the range, offering only the 3008 Active variant in 115kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol or 120kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel form, and added kit, with a pop-up screen providing combined satellite navigation and reversing camera functionalities as standard.

The range commences with the $35,490 (plus on-roads) petrol and is completed with the $38,990 diesel variant. The Active is well equipped with 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control with second-row ventilation, parking sensors, LED DRLs, split-fold tailgate with 200kg load capacity, auto headlights and wipers and an electric park brake with hill-hold control.

A $3500 'premium' option pack adds full leather seats with front seat heating, colour HUD, rear window sunblinds and a panoramic glass roof. Metallic paint is an additional $990; pearlescent is available for $1050.

There's no secret it's a slow seller, with fewer than 10 units moved in February (2015) according to VFACTS. But working through the face-lifted 3008's cabin indicates there's actually a lot to like.

It begins with its load carrying solutions, which prove intuitive to operate, functional and adaptable. The remote middle-row seat releases, situated in the rear cargo area, are simply wonderful. There's also that two-piece tailgate, the lower level of which slides out as it 'opens' to aid cargo loading, as well as a pull-out section that can offer three levels of space. Finally there's a middle-row 'poke through' for longer items such as your latest shovel from Bunnings… or your skis.

Middle-row seating incorporates ISOFIX and traditional top-tether baby seat attachment, though if you're an adult you will discover limited read leg room. Your head should fit more comfortably.

Up-front there's a feeling of airiness from the expansive glass area and high-set driving position. The steering column can stretch out well into the cabin, taking on a similar oversized proportion to the steering wheel itself. The front passenger has acres of legroom as well as headroom. With the heated seats on in winter, they'll probably want to fall asleep, so comfortable the seats are.

Despite this petrol variant being fitted with the premium pack, the 3008 interior ambience is otherwise dominated by the expanses of dull grey plastic, aged centre console, awkward pop-up nav screen and tacky, low-quality climate control dials.

On the road the high-compression (10.5:1) turbocharged petrol engine takes on a thrashy note under load that is unexpected. It will rev, however, exceeding 6000rpm without strain, although there's no real point stretching it that far; it seems to work best on part-throttle openings working its torque curve, and there's no real top-end surge to speak of.

The 3008 rides exceptionally well for a vehicle of its type, though it can become light over larger compressions. Rutted roads around the suburbs are taken in stride and the electrically-assisted steering is accurate enough. The six-speed automatic lacks paddle shifters but appears intuitive, anticipating when to hold gears to aid engine braking and slurring upshifts comfortably. Road noise is also well suppressed.

On this brief acquaintance the Peugeot 3008 proved surprisingly capable and coupled with the refined styling and improved specification it should be more competitive; however, the price remains hard to justify when compared to the hotbed of small SUV competition including the new Mazda CX-3, which starts at only $19,990 (plus on-road costs).