Peugeot 3008 2.0 HDi 163 CV Aut., test drive (Engine, handling and consumption)

Choosing a good people carrier is difficult, first it has to be a spacious car so that the whole family can travel comfortably, second it needs practical interior solutions, third it needs a good engine that responds forcefully to the accelerator and, if it is also dynamic, so much the better.

Something like that, mixed with a different touch, is what the Peugeot 3008 offers us, which we test today. It is the most powerful diesel version, with 163 CV, and it is also paired with the six-speed automatic gearbox. The best part is that it is not the much-criticised CMP; its operation is more than correct. A few years ago we tested the Peugeot 3008 2.0 HDi of 150 CV, and now we do the same with this automatic version.

Engine and performance

The engine is an old acquaintance of the French brand, the typical two-litre HDi, which now reaches up to 163 CV. With this engine only the automatic gearbox can be chosen; if you want a manual you will have to go for the 150 CV 2.0 HDi.

The engine’s response is typically turbo-diesel, from around 1,800 rpm up to 4,000 rpm, with the turbo blowing strongly between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. In this 163 CV configuration it is a powerful car, more than we are likely to need in our day-to-day driving.

It is an engine with strength, which gives us confidence when tackling an overtake or a merge, no matter whether the car is loaded with people; the 3008 will respond with grip to the accelerator.

Finally there is the automatic gearbox, which is not the CMP, and despite its relative simplicity it fulfils its job perfectly well. It has six ratios, a Sport and a snow mode, and it provides comfort in urban areas where we forget entirely about the gearbox. That said, the 150 CV version has better performance and slightly lower consumption than the automatic variant, so the gearbox is an important decision to weigh up.

Handling

In terms of handling, the comfort it offers its occupants stands out. Unlike other French people carriers, the 3008 opts for a suspension setup that maintains interior comfort without the suspension becoming excessively soft.

In this way the Gallic model proves more effective on the road, though always bearing in mind the limitations inherent to its weight and size. That is, it is a powerful car with a good response, but it is a people carrier of considerable bulk, and when taking a corner its dimensions show. The high driving position and the comfort it offers when covering kilometres deserve a mention, especially on motorways and dual carriageways, its favourite terrain.

On the downside, the low-profile wheels, which on our unit were 18-inch (45 profile), reduced comfort on roads in poor condition, where you feel absolutely everything. The steering has a correct feel and is quite assisted, while the brakes stand out for their effectiveness.

Despite its SUV styling, it does not have all-wheel drive in any of its versions, but in exchange it has Grip Control, a system that adapts the operation of the stability control to the terrain selected (4 different modes), combined with M+S tyres. It also has a fairly generous ground clearance.

Consumption

This section is not very favourable to the Peugeot, since the automatic gearbox and the car’s power show up in the consumption figures in the end. On country roads our figures hovered around 6.8 litres per 100 km.

Meanwhile on the usual route along the motorway, the lowest figure we achieved was 6.6 litres per 100 km. In town, and even more so in a city that is not flat, we could easily reach 8.5 litres per 100 km.

In the second part of the test we will analyse the design, space, equipment and prices of this Peugeot 3008. We also invite you to read the review of the 150 CV 3008 we tested a few years ago, as it remains very relevant.

Photos | Test team

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverPeugeot 30088 versions · from 38,680 €