Peugeot 3008 2.0 HDi 150 CV, test drive (Part III)

We conclude with the test of the Peugeot 3008 equipped with the two-litre HDi engine producing 150 CV and the most complete trim level, Sport Pack. We have already told you how the 3008 and its 150 CV HDi engine perform, and we have also discussed the exterior and interior design, as well as its spaciousness and interior comfort.

And, as is customary in our tests, in this third part we will talk about the price range of the Peugeot 3008, its standard and safety equipment, and our overall assessment of the model. In terms of price, we already mentioned that the Peugeot 3008 compares quite favourably with some of its rivals, and you can buy a 3008 from 21,130 euros with the 1.6 VTi petrol engine producing 120 CV.

Equipment

The standard equipment of the 3008 is quite complete, and even from the base trim level (Confort) it already comes with ESP, front airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags for the head, air conditioning, CD radio with steering-wheel controls, 6 speakers, short roof antenna and RCA auxiliary input, among other features. In terms of safety, it is also fully equipped from the base trim, which helped it earn the famous five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test, with one of the best scores for adult occupant protection.

The next trim level is Premium, which adds features such as fog lights, rear electric windows and a rain sensor, and keeps the same 17-inch alloy wheels that the Confort trim also fits. Finally, there is our version, the Sport Pack trim, which comes very well equipped as standard and features one of the 3008’s star elements: the Head-Up Display (which projects speed and some data onto the windscreen), xenon headlights with cornering function (highly recommended if you drive in poorly lit areas, as they work very well), a panoramic glass roof, dual-zone climate control, Distance Alert (a system that measures the distance to the vehicle ahead), rear parking sensors and 18-inch wheels, among other features.

Regarding the equipment on our test unit, I should clarify that the Distance Alert only measures distance and warns you on the small screen, but at no point does it stop the car or reduce its speed, and the cruise control is not adaptive either. In addition to that standard equipment, our 3008 had some optional features, such as the WIP Com 3D navigation and sound system (colour-screen navigation, 3D Europe mapping, Bluetooth hands-free kit and GSM radiotelephone, hard drive, USB port, DVD player, SD card and JBL sound), which worked very well, and in some cities you could opt for 3D mapping. That said, it costs 2,200 euros, and navigation systems start at 950 euros.

Another interesting option for those who don’t need a navigation system but want a phone connection is the WIP Bluetooth (radio with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB port), priced at 280 euros. So, in terms of equipment, if we want a fully loaded Peugeot 3008 there are plenty of options available, and I can’t forget to mention the Head-Up Display, that small screen that unfolds behind the steering wheel above the windscreen and projects the information onto it thanks to a small projector behind the wheel and a special type of glass in the screen.

It may seem a minor detail in the equipment, but in use it was really useful: you didn’t have to take your eyes off the road to check your speed or cruise control (or speed limiter), and the distance alert system also displayed it on the screen, showing the time in seconds to the vehicle ahead, and you could set minimum values at which the car would warn you if you got too close.

Overall assessment

After having covered plenty of miles in the Peugeot 3008 and tested it on motorway, in town and on country roads, we were impressed by its great ride comfort. Inside, there is also a sense of space that makes the car feel larger than it looks from outside, and that feeling is very comfortable for long journeys. Perhaps the engine didn’t seem quite right to me, since a less powerful one would have been fine, and it doesn’t save much money; nor does it behave like a saloon exactly, but as I mentioned at the beginning, it is a vehicle for relaxed driving, for travelling and doing so in comfort.

Furthermore, if we compare it with an MPV, we see some similar solutions (storage spaces, for example), and at the same time it has that crossover look and a raised driving position. When I talk about it being a crossover, I’m basically referring to its looks, because I remember it doesn’t have all-wheel drive, and the 18-inch wheels fitted to our version weren’t the best for off-road use.

From my point of view, it is a successful move for the segment it is aimed at, because other similar SUVs don’t have as many MPV-like solutions. They may have traction, but let’s be honest: half of these SUVs rarely venture onto dirt tracks and have a more urban character, and for that purpose the 3008 fulfils its role very well, with plenty of practical solutions inside (as well as a good cargo space) and an original exterior look.

Prices and versions (excluding promotions, taken from press releases from Peugeot; I recommend consulting your nearest dealer)

Petrol

• 1.6 VTI 120 CV Confort 21,130 euros
• 1.6 VTI 120 CV Premium 22,930 euros
• 1.6 VTI 120 CV Sport Pack 25,430 euros
• 1.6 THP 156 CV Premium 25,030 euros
• 1.6 THP 156 CV Sport Pack 27,530 euros

Diesel

• 1.6 HDI 110 CV Confort 23,030 euros
• 1.6 HDI 110 CV Premium 24,830 euros
• 1.6 HDI 110 CV Premium CMP 25,580 euros
• 1.6 HDI 110 CV Sport Pack CMP 27,330 euros
• 2.0 HDI 150 CV Premium 26,830 euros
• 2.0 HDI 150 CV Sport Pack 29,330 euros

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As I mentioned earlier, our test model came with extra equipment, and our Peugeot 3008 2.0 HDi 150 CV Sport Pack reaches a price of 34,010 euros, including the 3D navigation system, front and rear sensors and rear privacy-tinted glass.

In short, it added features that are dispensable, and it should be kept in mind that the price is indicative and does not include any discounts.

Photos | David Taboada