2022 Peugeot 3008 long-term test: report 2

The car Peugeot 3008 1.2 Puretech 130 Allure EAT8 Run by Mark Pearson, used cars editor

Why it’s here To find out if this practical and stylish SUV can still cut it in a highly competitive class

Needs to Prove it’s more than just a pretty face. It’ll need to dispatch commuting work and family life with flair, and cope with a wide variety of every day duties 

Mileage 5598 Price £30,360 Target price £28,379 Price as tested £31,085 Official economy 48mpg Test economy 32.8mpg 

28 February 2022 – Hanging on the telephone

One month in and my passengers are already commenting favourably on the smoothness of my Peugeot 3008. Its engine may have only three cylinders, but it’s surprisingly quiet, especially so around town. It actually makes a rather pleasant and nicely subdued growl when called into action, too, rather as if prodding the accelerator pedal has woken up that lion that seems to live on the car’s grille. 

It’s nice to drive generally, too, with quick steering that’s further highlighted by its tiny steering wheel. My wife thinks the steering wheel looks too small, actually, and is trying too hard to emulate an F1 wheel – she thinks this a bit silly in a family SUV. Being flat at the top and bottom and with just two spokes, the wheel does look a little bit like a pretzel to me but, no matter how hungry I get, I haven’t yet found myself taking a nibble at it. 

In use, you soon get used to its size; if anything, it’s the flat top and bottom that take more getting used to as you shuffle the wheel through your hands. There is, perhaps, no reason for a steering wheel to be any bigger, and it only leaves me wondering what it'd be like if if the 'wheel was abandoned altogether and we made do with a joystick, as was proposed many years ago in various experimental concept cars.

It’s not all going well so far, though. When I first connected my iPhone to the 3008’s Bluetooth system, it decided not to add my contacts list or previous calls. Despite repeated attempts, it hasn’t hooked up since. I guess not knowing the name of the person phoning you is not so bad, but having to find and type out a phone number manually when you want to call someone is a bit of a chore. 

Likewise, the Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring system doesn’t always work. Whether these niggles have been caused by the car’s infotainment or by my phone, I know not. I have asked young people who understand such things for help, but so far no correct answer has been forthcoming. I’ll keep you posted. Probably not by phone though. 

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