26/02/10

• Price18,095
• We like...Clever cabin & load area
• We don't...Electric parking brake

It's a crossover and Peugeot's first try at this all-new breed of car. It's no beauty but it is clever. We like it a lotLook at it. We don’t think you’ll buy the 3008 for its appearance. But, happily for Peugeot, it has so much else going on that it counts as the make’s best car for some while.

First, as one of the new breed of crossovers, it’s bang-on trend for the moment. Crossovers? These are a bunch of new models that adopt the chunky looks of off-roaders and/or MPVs, bringing with them the roomy cabins and lofty driving positions that come with such cars. But, at least for the 3008, it’s compact in size and ds without the four-wheel drive needed for off-roading. Power gs just to the front wheels. And although you sit high, it drives as sweetly and easily as you’d want any conventional hatchback to.

Let’s get back to those looks. With that big, chip-cutter grille and those shaved wheel arches, it’s certainly distinctive and different. Move to the back and, between lamp clusters that to us look borrowed from quite another car, there’s a handy two-piece tailgate. The idea is, again, taken from off-roaders and here it works well, the bottom part making a flat shelf that helps when loading big or heavy items. It’s also sturdy enough to sit on.

The boot packs a tray strong enough to pile suitcases on – it can be set at various heights to divide the load space. Working with this are rear seats that tumble and fold to share space between people and bags every which-way. And if you need to use all its load space, the front passenger seat will fold flat.

For the driver the view ahead is clear and lofty and, despite a broad centre tunnel running between the seats the cabin feels airy. There are loads of places to store your belongings, including a deep bin at the driver’s elbow that has a charging point for phones or portable games built in. For the front passenger there’s a big grab handle built into the centre console. We’re not sure why it’s there – but it looks good.

And the cabin is the nicest we can remember seeing in a Peugeot. For a car of this size and price, Volkswagen sets the standard and while the 3008 can’t better it, it’s close, using a satisfying mix of chrome and squishy plastics.

Go for a top-spec 3008 and a big glassy roof and a head-up display to project the car’s speed into the driver’s sight-line come as standard. Our test car was an entry-level Active model and, while it had neither of these things, it came well enough kitted out to keep us happy. Air conditioning, remote locking and a full suite of airbags and active safety aids come as standard.

Drive and the first thing you’ll appreciate is the way the car eases over the bumps, in a smoothly loping style that feels expensive and accomplished. But it’ll turn in sharply to enter a bend and responds obediently enough to keep the car wieldy and easily manageable. The 1.6, 110bhp diesel in ours was smooth and punchy. The electronic parking brake sits between the seats and works efficiently if noisily.

Should you buy one? It’s hard to see why not. For the price of an ‘ordinary’ mid-size car like a Golf or an Astra, the 3008 offers more usable space and an involving drive. It may not be pretty but it is very good.
 

• Engines1.6 turbodiesel
• Power110bhp
• 0-60 mph12.2secs
• Economy55.3mpg
• CO2g/km137
• Insurance groups5
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags6
• Seats5

Motors.co.uk value verdict: