Peugeot 3008 review

The mimic octopus is one of few animals known to morph into different shapes, either to survive or make itself more attractive. We see similar things in the automotive world too, and the Peugeot 3008 is a prime example. 

You see, the first-gen model looked like a swollen hatchback or mini MPV, then for the second generation, it morphed into a more familiar SUV shape. And for this current, third-gen 3008, the French brand implemented a coupé-inspired roofline. It’s all been done to keep up with trends. 

Speaking of trends, every new 3008 is electrified in some way: it’s available as a mild hybrid (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), plus there’s the fully electric Peugeot e-3008 we’ve reviewed separately. 

Rivals include the Kia Sportage and Volvo XC40, but if you’re deadset on a coupé roofline, you’ll likely be considering the Cupra Formentor and Toyota C-HR.

What’s new?

- April 2026 - We reassess the 3008 and see how competitive it is in 2026

- September 2024 - New plug-in hybrid introduced with an official range of up to 54 miles

How fast is it and which engine is best?

The Peugeot 3008 has two engine options, badged Hybrid 145 and Plug-In Hybrid 225. The former uses a 1.2-litre petrol engine (assisted by mild hybrid (MHEV) tech), and it’s strong enough in every scenario this side of lapping racetracks.

We’re yet to drive the Plug-In Hybrid 225, but it certainly looks more sprightly on paper. It pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and 18kWh battery, the result being more power and 53 miles of electric-only range. For tax reasons, it makes sense for company car drivers, but we believe the cheaper, quick-enough Hybrid 145 is the better choice for private buyers.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The 3008 handles with all the grip and composure most drivers could ever want or need. However, it’s far from pin sharp or fun to drive – enthusiasts will much prefer the lighter, dartier Cupra Formentor.

The ride is on the firmer side (like the Formentor, actually), so it can get a little choppy around town – more so than the softer Kia Sportage and Volvo XC40. However, build up some speed and it smoothens out considerably, meaning it’s rather relaxing over long motorway stints.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

The 3008 is indeed quiet, even at motorway speeds. There’s a little bit of wind noise but barely any road noise or drone from the engine. It’s great at a constant cruise, especially because that means you won’t have to touch the brake pedal. 

Speaking of which, the 3008’s pedal is spongy, with barely anything happening up top. You need to really put your foot in it to come to a swift stop. A firmer, more linear pedal would be ideal. 

"I did a 100-mile motorway journey in the 3008 and I was impressed. It’s quiet and comfortable, and despite its modest power output, the engine can actually hold its own." – Oliver Young, Reviewer

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

The Peugeot 3008 has quite a futuristic-looking interior, certainly next to the more conservatively styled Kia Sportage. The air vents and screens almost look as if they’re floating above the lower part of the dashboard. You might like the classy mix of grey, silver and black, too. 

As for quality, the 3008 feels a step up from many family SUVs. The choice of materials includes lots of soft-touch plastics livened up with trim finishers and fabric on the dashboard and doors. This side of a Volvo XC40, not much beats it. 

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

Like many Peugeots, the 3008 positions the driver’s display above the steering wheel. It can feel a little odd at first, and in a few Peugeot products, you can find the steering wheel has to almost go as low as your lap in order for all the instruments to be visible. However, the 3008 is fortunately not one of the “few” – it’ll accommodate a wider range of driving positions.

There are also supportive, high-up front seats, and you get a clear view over the bonnet. Rear visibility isn’t so great due to the wide rear pillars but all trim levels come with rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to help out with low-speed manoeuvres.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

All versions of the 3008 merge the digital driver's display with an infotainment touchscreen to form a single curved 21.0in panel across the top of the dashboard. The touchscreen is in easy reach when you're driving and you don't have to glance very far across to see the sat-nav map on display.

The graphics are crisp and clear but some of the infotainment menus are convoluted, with too many submenus to sift through, and the screen’s responses could be sharper.

Unlike the Toyota C-HR, the 3008 lacks physical controls for the air-conditioning system, so you have to further rely on the touchscreen. Most of the time, the temperature controls are positioned on either side of the home screen and act as a shortcut, but they unhelpfully disappear when displaying the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay screen (both of which you can connect wirelessly), and you have to sift through more menus back out to the home screen.

Below the centre air vents is a separate touch panel – Peugeot's i-Toggle feature – where you can customise a row of shortcuts for your most commonly used functions. The icons are large and easy to hit on the move, although physical buttons would still be better.

"I’m used to driving Peugeots with the gear selector mounted low down on the centre console, so it takes a while to get used to looking across and reaching out behind the steering wheel to use it." – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

How much space does it have for people?

In the Peugeot 3008’s back seats, there’s more leg room and larger footwells than in a Toyota C-HR, just not a Kia Sportage. Any middle-seat passenger will find that the centre console between the front seats encroaches on their leg space, unfortunately. 

Rear head room isn’t as generous for a 6ft-tall adult than it is in most rivals, even including the Cupra Formentor (which also has a sloping roofline). 

How much room does it have for luggage?

The 3008's boot space is more generous than its rivals’, with its 588-litre capacity significantly beating the C-HR, Formentor and XC40. The Sportage, meanwhile, near-enough matches it. 

There’s also a height-adjustable boot floor, while 40/20/40 split-folding rear seatbacks makes the 3008 more versatile than the 60/40 split you get in a Formentor, C-HR and XC40.

"I’m over six-feet tall and, though I could fit in the back fine enough, it wasn’t as airy as I would’ve liked." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

For private cash buyers, the Peugeot 3008 is more reasonably priced than it is competitively priced. You see, it costs a similar amount next to a Cupra Formentor and Volvo XC40, but the Kia Sportage and Toyota C-HR are available for less money. 

There are four trims to choose from: Allure, Allure Premium, GT and (you guessed it) GT Premium. Stick with Allure and you’ll get 19in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and fabric and leather-effect front seats. Heated front seats are available as an optional extra. 

Mind you, if you upgrade to Allure Premium, you’ll get heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard. This trim also has adaptive cruise control. We think it’s worth the reasonable price premium.  

GT and GT Premium push the price up a little too high for our liking, but in case you’re interested, the former adds a powered tailgate and the latter Alcantara seats and 20in alloy wheels.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

The 3008 was absent from our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, but Peugeot as a brand ranked 11th out of 30 car makers featured – above Cupra but below Toyota. 

If anything were to go wrong, every Peugeot is covered by a three-year, 60,000-miles warranty, which is similar to the cover from Volkswagen, but short of Kia’s seven-year offering and Toyota’s service-activated 10-year/100,000-mile cover. The PHEV’s battery pack is covered for up to eight years or 100,000 miles.

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

The 3008 was given four stars for safety after testing by Euro NCAP. That's one less star than most modern cars get, although the related Vauxhall Grandland scored four out of five, too.

It comes with automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance and traffic-sign recognition as standard. Useful features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional with the Drive Assist Pack.

To deter thieves, the 3008 has an alarm, anti-lift detection (to thwart towing attempts), an electronic code immobiliser, deadlocking, as well as a keyless entry system with proximity locking.

"I do enjoy a sound system upgrade, so it’s a shame the optional Focal 16-speaker system is part of a pack on GT trim only." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Buy it if…

- You want a sharp, distinctively styled SUV, inside and out

- You want the choice of mild-hybrid and plug-in-hybrid engines 

- You want a quiet, comfy motorway cruiser

Don’t buy it if…

- You want sporty, engaging handling

- You need lots of rear head room

- You’re yet to check out the Kia Sportage

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