Review of refreshed 2021 model Peugeot 3008

The Peugeot brand is aiming for higher ground with a new badge and refreshed product lines, including the 2021 model 3008 SUV

The range-topping Peugeot 3008 GT Sport costs about $60,000 drive-away.

Becoming a better version of yourself sounds like a catchphrase you’d see at the gym entrance.

Earlier this year, French brand Peugeot signified a new beginning. The marque has been an automotive stalwart since 1850 yet has struggled to find a definitive foothold within the Australian market.

The new logo has been designed to signify Peugeot’s shift to more affluent echelons.

Pitting itself again the best from Germany and Japan, the new lion effigy has been hailed as a coat of arms to conquer new lands.

Heading the charge is an updated and new SUV family. The 3008 has been given a facelift as part of the brand rejuvenation, which has also seen prices climb.

The range-topping Peugeot 3008 GT Sport costs about $60,000 drive-away.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

GRANT: New frameless grille, glossy scoops on the flanks, black alloys and an air of prestige, this is the new Peugeot.

KEL: Externally it certainly has some wow factor. That new front-end looks amazing and the rear lights are funky.

GRANT: They are what Peugeot calls the ‘3D lion claw’ and the indicators also scroll when turned on. Inside also has distinctive flair and this is all part of the brand’s grand plan to attract the well-heeled crowd.

KEL: It’s not a brand you see much of, does going for a more up-market audience translate to increased price?

GRANT: Pugs have never been mainstream cheap, but these 3008s start from just below $50,000 drive-away. We’re in the range-topping GT Sport which adds an extra $10,000.

KEL: That puts the 3008 right up there with the likes of an Audi Q2 or a Q3 Sportback, maybe a BMW X2 and nearing a Mercedes-Benz GLA. They a little smaller, but I don’t think people analyse the sizes – more price and badge.

GRANT: Tough competition indeed. But tight industry supply at the moment may have some buyers looking further afield and Peugeot is a step away from mainstream which will appeal to those who don’t like to follow the masses.

Concave shapes around the doors, the distinctive shortcut buttons on the dash, an interesting gear shifter and a small sports steering wheel collectively deliver a quintessential cockpit design.

THE LIVING SPACE

KEL: Keyless entry works fast and doesn’t make you second guess or press the button five times before the door opens. From the moment you step inside it feels like a flashy modern hotel.

GRANT: Many of these design elements were showcased when the 5008 arrived a couple of years back. Concave shapes around the doors, the distinctive shortcut buttons on the dash, interesting gear shifter, small sports steering wheel and quintessential cockpit design. Collectively it’s unique French flair.

KEL: That flair used to be just plain weird in some French cars, but I like these aesthetics. It’s completely different from what you get in the vast majority of modern cars … which is maybe why that steering wheel and instrument design seemed strange at first.

GRANT: While many manufacturers have “head-up displays” which project speed and other details like satnav instructions onto the windscreen, this is designed to be similar. It’s also supposed to be ergonomic, although not like sitting on a fit ball.

KEL: Sometimes I felt like I was going round in circles using the infotainment system. Even our teenager struggled to find his way around.

GRANT: With modern minimalism comes less buttons. Those groovy toggles under the 10-inch touchscreen are shortcuts to the various operations. It can be frustrating to move up and down, but once you know where each button takes you it’s fast.

KEL: I just wanted to change from Apple CarPlay to the radio. The initial process was challenging.

GRANT: Modern folk don’t listen to the radio anymore. Podcasts and dedicated music apps are where are the cool kids are going – progressive types that Peugeot is chasing.

A striking new grille is a feature of the range-topping Peugeot 3008 GT Sport.

THE COMMUTE

KEL: Feeling sprightly under my right foot, I found the 3008’s performance to be responsive and easy to drive.

GRANT: Given the step up in price to this top-shelf model, you also get more power. The four-cylinder turbo punches out 133kW (base models generate 121kW) and it uses an eight-speed automatic as opposed to the six cogs in the entry-level Allure.

KEL: All-round vision is also impressive and after getting used to the driving position it feels confident in the traffic.

GRANT: Importantly it offers ample comfort and a hushed ride. The Nappa leather seats are crackers, and the front pair have a heating function which is awesome for this time of year – the driver even has a massage mode.

KEL: I wouldn’t buy a new car now without heated seats. They’re a must. After playing sport or in cold conditions it feels great for the body.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

THE SHOPPING

GRANT: It’s an expansive boot which nears 600 litres of space. That trumps some much larger SUVs. The rear seats also fold to make easy work of a surfboard, bike or flatpack furniture et al.

KEL: Parking was helped by the 360-degree cameras. While the 3008 isn’t a big car, those camera views make it simple to ensure you’re within the lines.

GRANT: In the boot are quick-release levers to drop the rear seats flat. One of my great frustrations is getting ready to load something in the back and forgetting to drop the seats.

KEL: It also has good cup-holders which can handle bottles. My pet hate is skinny slots that can only accommodate takeaway cups.

Peuegot has adopted a different approach for the driver set-up.

SUNDAY RUN

KEL: There’s good space front and back, plenty of room for our two boys who also liked the fact they get air vents and two USB points.

GRANT: Surprisingly they are the larger and still more popular USB A ports. Many manufacturers are now doing USB C only – they’ll become the preference as they are symmetrical and you can never plug them in upside down.

KEL: Rural travels were uneventful, with the Peugeot doing its job nicely.

GRANT: There are more powerful SUVs around for this kind of money, but the 3008 doesn’t feel like it’s wanting extra grunt. The steep hill near our place delivered no great challenge even with the whole family aboard.

KEL: But it’s no firecracker. Even in sport mode.

GRANT: This is true. When engaging sport it holds the gears a little longer and the throttle responds quicker. The famed 0-100km/h sprint is achieved in a sedate 8.8 seconds.

Apple CarPlay is among the standard features.

THE FAMILY

KEL: During one trip the autonomous emergency braking stepped in after spotting a parked car on the side of the road. It obviously has the latest safety gadgets.

GRANT: It still has five stars earned in 2017. And yes, AEB is standard which also has cyclist and pedestrian detection, along with features to keep the Peugeot within its lane, LED headlights and adaptive cruise control. Absent items include AEB that works in reverse and tech which stops you entering an intersection if traffic is detected.

KEL: Given it’s European, are the upkeep and maintenance costs expensive?

GRANT: Warranty coverage meets the standard expected, five years and unlimited kilometres. But servicing is hefty compared to what you’d pay with perhaps a Toyota or Mitsubishi. Over five years the average price is $527 with servicing intervals annual or every 20,000km.

KEL: During our week the petrol consumption did seem reasonable.

GRANT: According to the trip computer the average consumption was 7.6L/100km, which is about two litres thirstier than the official figure from Peugeot.

Average fuel consumption in the Peugeot 3008 GT Sport wa 7.6L/100km during our week-long test.

THE VERDICT

KEL: Everyone likes to look expensive and the 3008 certainly has the capacity to turn heads. At this stage I’d need more convincing for this kind of money.

GRANT: The 3008 has a certain je ne sais quoi. Beautiful internal finishes and classy designs delivers a level of exclusivity. Whether that will inspire buyers to pay premium cash remains to be seen and will test the pulling power of the badge, which is battling to gain a new level of austerity.

Originally published as Review of refreshed 2021 model Peugeot 3008