- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.6T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
121kW, 240Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2016)
Peugeot 3008 GT-Line long-term review, report three: farewell
As we bid farewell to our long-term Peugeot 3008 we can't help but think it's arguably the best Peugeot ever made. It also happens to be one of the best cars in its class.
- Exterior and interior styling
- Infotainment system
- Active and passive safety systems
- Ride comfort
- Powertrain and transmission set-up
- Storage space
- Modern feel
- Warranty
- Some plastic trims not lasting as expected
- More wear and tear than would seem normal
Spending 10,000km and six months with any car is a lot of time behind the wheel. Our usual tests are far more limited in the number of kilometres that we can do, but the whole point of getting behind the wheel of this Peugeot 3008 was to prove that modern French vehicles should be absolute contenders in today’s hotly contested SUV market.
So far as we can tell, despite now being over a year old since its international release, the Peugeot 3008 remains the best SUV in its class.
From the outside, it is still a head-turner thanks to its ultra-modern yet classy design, while the interior and associated infotainment system are yet to be matched by any other European or Asian rival in the same price range.
Ultimately, after six months of driving it, all the stereotypes of French cars have been put to rest. Yes, a few minor things have come undone, as we mentioned in the last update, but overall it has performed flawlessly and without trouble.
It’s important to emphasise its abilities, because some may look at the slightly higher sticker price and immediately put it out of contention for their next SUV.
But, while it may cost a few thousand dollars more than its Japanese or Korean rivals, it offers an entirely different experience as a result.
From the exceptional ride comfort that somehow seems able to absorb the poorest roads in Brisbane, to the highly dynamic driving abilities that make it an exciting car to drive with a bit of enthusiasm, the 3008 certainly ticks a lot of boxes.
It’s also one of the safest SUVs you can buy, with an amazing array of active safety features that can basically take full control of the car for limited periods of time if you become distracted, which we detailed in our first report.
The powertrain provides plenty of pull both from a standstill and in-gear. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine may seem a little underwhelming going by the numbers – 121kW of power and 240Nm of torque – but we can assure you it moves the Peugeot's weight with ease both in suburban environments and on the highway.
We managed to get our fuel economy to the low eights when we tried to drive sedately, but realistically expect it in the high eights.
But perhaps the most notable part of the car remains the interior, which after we’ve been harping on about it for more than six months still doesn’t get old. It’s at the very top of its class, and by quite a long way.
From the switchgear to the fully digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system, it genuinely puts the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and even the new BMW X3 on notice. It’s at their level of luxury for a lot less coin.
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Our biggest gripe with the 3008 since having it new has been its three-year warranty, which the French company has now extended to five years, taking away any real excuse from buying one.
With a five-year warranty plus a new and far more effective distributor in Australia (same as Subaru), the French brand is going through a massive Australian revival.
There are ads for its cars everywhere you look, and there is no hiding the fact that these new Frenchies mean business, and that goes beyond skin deep.
There’s not a whole lot more we can say about this Peugeot, except that if you’re in the market for a Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson or something similar, we would highly recommend – at the very least – a visit to your local Peugeot dealer and take one of these for a test drive.
MORE: long-term review, report one: introduction
MORE: long-term review, report two
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MORE: All long-term reports