The previous 3008 was arguably the most important Peugeot of the 21st century so far. No pressure for the new kid on the block then …
The 3008 of 2016 was a landmark car for Peugeot. It kickstarted the French manufacturer’s dominance of the European SUV market.
The 3008 was also the first car of a new era for Peugeot. Led by the Portuguese Carlos Tavares, the upmarket shift of the brand, with more thoughtfully built cars, boasting better cabin materials and more advanced safety and infotainment technology, made Peugeot the number one rival to the Germans at their own game.
The biggest problem with the 3008 was that there were so many around – 1.32 million were sold, to be precise – I found myself wondering if that was not putting some potential buyers off. But hey, that was the best problem Peugeot could have wished for.
The second generation 3008 was everything everybody said it was: different in looks, well made, practical, comfortable, dynamically competent and perfectly on trend.
I even wrote in these pages that the 5008 – basically a 3008 with seven seats and a slightly bigger back end – was, in many ways, the best car in the world. As a do anything, go anywhere, load everything in it four-wheeled machine at a fair price, I know not of a better car to this day still.
Peugeot did good with the 3008/5008, there is no doubt about it. Replacing them both was never going to be an easy task and, to add some more challenges into the mix, they would also have to be electric, a first for the range.
And so, without further ado, please welcome the new 100% electric e3008. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are also available, as well as the bigger 5008 in all three variants.
Journalists were given the keys to a spanking new e3008 for the whole day, with a stop for lunch and a small model presentation at the fabulous Quinta da Atela, in Alpiarça. Peugeot is trying very hard to make sure we understand this new 3008 is as revolutionary as the first one – which is a good sign, as it shows they understand the importance of the car but, mostly, that they have put in the effort to bring out a worthy substitute.
Objectively, the e3008 is an all-new car, something that is not as common as you may think. Platform, body, suspension – they are all completely new. As is the interior and the infotainment system.
The e3008 STLA Medium platform is as important as it can get for a manufacturer. Under the Stellantis Group umbrella, it will underpin everything from the Alfa Romeo Giulia replacement to the next Opel Grandland, DS7 or even a new model line from Lancia, with many more in between.
Certainly, in terms of looks, it seems more than one generation ahead of its predecessor, but without losing that traditional Peugeot flavour. In fact, Peugeot reckons this consistency in its styling is pivotal for the strength of the brand.
Inside, the cabin is a magnificent place to be. This is very likely the best Peugeot ever built in terms of fit, finish and tasteful use of quality materials. Owners will definitely feel pride in their cars.
The 3008 is the first model to use Peugeot’s new look ‘Panoramic i-Cockpit’, a state-of-the-art system that is easily one of the best in the whole industry. The 21-inch curved screen is quite impressive, very responsive and fairly intuitive, taking into account all the functions it houses.
Both the infotainment unit and the instrument cluster have amazing graphics, whereas the overall layout design is excellent. Again, the word premium is not out of place in this car, as Peugeot have carefully upgraded key areas that make it feel a true competitor to the Germans.
At the start, the only EV choice available is front-wheel drive only. One electric motor on the front axle producing 213 horsepower and 345 Nm of torque. The 73kWh battery has a maximum range of 527km but, as always with electric cars, it will be hard to achieve that number, even if the French constructor says it wants to announce real world figures and not test-lab studies.
I enjoyed my time with the e3008. It is silk smooth on almost any kind of road, and I was especially impressed with the underlying quality of the engineering. Performance is perfectly adequate – 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 176km/h – but what matters most is the integrity of the product as a whole.
The e3008 will suit some people’s daily lives but not all. The charging infrastructure is, sadly, not enough to make using a BEV as practical as an ICE car. I am, therefore, itching to drive the 3008 with a petrol engine under the hood. However, this is one of those cases where the electric car is really quite good and, if it fits your life, I can thoroughly recommend it.
Allure and GT equipment levels are available at launch. ‘My’ car was a top-of-the-line GT, with prices starting at €52,150. Ouch. Still, the new 3008 is a great car. Not as revolutionary as its predecessor, but better in every measurable way.
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