Peugeot 3008 (2009-2016) Review

The Peugeot 3008 may not be the prettiest thing on four wheels but as a family car it’s hard to fault

Strengths & weaknesses

  • Efficient BlueHDi engines
  • Good reliability record
  • Roomy and practical interior
  • Sluggish petrol engines
  • Jerky automatic gearbox
  • Ugly as sin

Used Peugeot 308 prices from £8,495  Finance from £206.81 per month

High on most families’ list of motoring priorities must be a car that’s a reasonable priced, cheap to run, reliable, well-equipped, spacious and practical, as well as being easy to find.

It would be nice if it were also great to look at but then that quality often comes at a price. On all but this last measure, the Peugeot 3008, a crossover about the size of a Nissan Qashqai, scores very well.

It was launched as long ago as 2009 and didn’t leave the new car price lists until 2016, but that only means there are lots of used ones to choose from. Like all models, it was refreshed and updated over those seven years, so to avoid buying a less than optimum example, it pays to know what happened and when.

From launch the 3008 was powered by a small range of petrol and diesel engines. Given the model’s role as a family car, the diesels, a choice of 1.6 and 2.0-litre engines that are reasonably efficient, were the big sellers. However, in 2015 the whole engine range was given a makeover with the arrival of new, cleaner and more efficient engines, chief among them 1.6 and 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesels with stop and start fuel-saving technology. Economy rose from around 50mpg for the old 1.6 HDi to 60mpg for the new 1.6 BlueHDi.

At the same time, a three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech petrol engine joined the line-up. It, too, is around 10mpg more economical than the two larger petrol engines it replaced but about as powerful. Even so, diesel engines continued to account for the bulk of new car sales, so you’re more likely to find a used diesel 3008 than a used petrol.

The diesels are excellent engines, smooth and flexible around town and gutsy but relaxing on longer drives. They suit the 3008’s comfy ride and reasonably accurate steering. Although it’s not a car to throw around corners, unless you want to upset your passengers.

Another milestone in the 3008’s life was the facelift in 2013 which saw it gain daytime running lights but more importantly a higher quality interior. It still looks good to this day.

There was always a good spread of trims to choose from but again, in 2016 the line-up was cut to just two: Active and Allure. Active is well equipped with features including cruise control, air-con and even roll control on the 2.0 BlueHDi to keep it poised in corners but with its 18-in ‘Icauna’ rims, sat-nav, dual-zone climate control and a panoramic glass roof Allure trim was the most popular.

Regardless of what happened when, throughout its life the 3008 was a roomy and practical family car. Three passengers can sit comfortably in the back and there are lots of large storage spaces scattered about. It’s a wide car, so you’ll be grateful for the standard-fit rear parking sensors.

At 512 litres, the boot is larger than most cars in the class including the impressive Skoda Yeti. It also has underfloor storage so you can keep loads away from prying eyes.

Reassuringly for a family car, the 3008 is a reliable model and a safe one, too, achieving the full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests, although subsequent tests have since become more rigorous.

 

Key facts

Warranty 3 years
Boot size 512 litres
Width 2113mm
Length 4365mm
Height 1639mm
Tax £0-260

Best Peugeot 3008 for...

Best for Economy – Peugeot 3008 1.6 BlueHDi Active

The diesel hybrid is more economical but this 1.6 BlueHDi can still do 60mpg and is around in far greater numbers at a wider range of prices.

Best for Families – Peugeot 3008 1.6 BlueHDi Allure

Better equipped (it has a glass sunroof and reversing camera) and smarter looking than Active trim, and fitted with the economical 1.6 BlueHDi engine, this version is the pick for families.

Best for Performance – Peugeot 3008 2.0 BlueHDi 150 Allure

The diesel-hybrid is quicker, more expensive and rare so our vote here goes to the slightly slower but more available 2.0 BlueHDi 150. Ignore the 0-62mph time; it’s in-gear acceleration when you need to overtake that really impresses.

History

2009: Model launched with choice of 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines, and 1.6 petrols.
2010: SPort and Exclusive trims get more kit and more efficient Euro 5 HDi 112 engine joins the range.
2011: New SR, based on Sport, but with more kit launched, plus Envy special edition featuring panoramic sunroof. Hybrid diesel version, called Hybrid4 and limited to 35 examples, released. Has 200bhp and does 74.4mpg.
2013-14: Recalls launched for starter wire chafing, fuel leak, driver’s seat airbag, overheating engine, risk of DPF damage, engine oil leak, starter motor malfunction, engine oil sealing plug incorrectly tightened and tow bar insufficiently tightened.
2013: Facelift just about manages to make it look reasonably modern and attractive.
2015: Motor Warranty Direct finds it the fifth most reliable European used car out of manufacturer warranty. More economical BlueHDI diesel engines introduced that are also Euro 6 complaint.

Understanding Peugeot 3008 names

Engine 1.6 BlueHDi 120

Most model names quote the engine size in litres (in this example it’s 1.6) followed by the type of engine, diesel or petrol, that it is. Again, in this example HDi is Peugeot’s terms for its diesel engines while BlueHDi is the later generation that is more economical than before. The closing number is the power rating of the engine expressed in horsepower.

Trim Allure

These tell you what level of luxury and equipment the car has but there may also be options fitted to the car that are not immediately obvious.

Gearbox Auto

Most 3008s are fitted with a manual gearbox but there are also automatic versions which new, were more expensive.

Peugeot 3008 Engines

HDi, 1.6 Blue HDi, 2.0 HDi, 2.0 BlueHDi and 2.0 e-HDi hybrid

Lots of engines have come and gone during the 3008’s life but there are really only a few things you need to know: thanks to new technologies later models are more economical than earlier ones, diesel registered from 2015 to comply with the current Euro 5 emissions rules so can enter ultra-low emissions zones without paying a surcharge, and if want power with economy the diesel engines are the ones to choose. On that last point, if you’re a low mileage driver, one of the cheaper petrol engines may suit you better.

If you want the best economy, look out for one of the later BlueHDi diesel engines with fuel-saving stop + start technology. Our favourite is the 1.6 BlueHDi S+S, although avoid it with the EAT6 automatic gearbox that hurts economy and isn’t very responsive. Its relation, the 2.0 BlueHDI S+S, has more power but is more expensive and not as refined. For the very best economy buy the diesel hybrid version called the 2.0 e-HDi HBD4. However, it’s unlikely to recover its higher price in savings at the fuel pump.

If petrol is your thing, go for the later 1.2 PureTech. It’s good value but underpowered for the heavy 3008.

 

Fuel

Fuel economy

Power

Acceleration

Top speed

1.2 PureTech

Petrol

54.3-57.6mpg

130hp

0-62mph: 10.8s

124mph

1.6 THP

Petrol

36.7-42.1mpg

160hp

0-62mph:8.9-9.3s

125mph

1.6 VTi

Petrol

40.1-42.1mpg

120hp

0-62mph: 11.8

115mph

1.6 HDi

Diesel

55.4-58.9mpg

110-112hp

0-62mph: 12.2-14.0s

112mph

1.6 BueHDi

Diesel

65.7-68.9

120hp

0-62mph: 12.0-12.4s

112mph

2.0 HDi

Diesel

43.5-52.3mpg

150-163hp

0-62mph: 9.7-10.2s

120mph

2.0 BlueHDi

Diesel

67.3mpg

150hp

0-62mph: 9.7s

121mph

2.0 e-HDI HBD4

Diesel-hybrid

74.3-85.6mpg

163hp

0-62mph: 8.5s

118mph

Peugeot 3008 Trims

Access, Active, Allure, Exclusive and Sport

Rather like its engines, the 3008 has many trims to choose from, most of them familiar from other models in Peugeot’s line-up. At the very least all have air conditioning, electric front windows and remote central locking, plus the Family Pack that provides underfloor storage in the boot.

As a used car, the price differences between trims are less than you’d have paid new so it makes sense to choose the best equipped 3008 that you can afford. It’ll also make you feel better about a car that is otherwise quite blobby and unattractive looking.

From the early cars we’d choose Sport (alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and cruise control) or Exclusive (a glass roof, automatic lights and wipers, and climate control). Look out for Envy and SR special editions from 2011, too.

Later trims were consolidated into Access, Active and Allure. Mid-spec Active is the best value for money and brings rear electric windows, alloy wheels. Allure features a partial leather trim, a glass roof and a sat nav.

One area the 3008 falls down is in its radio. A digital system was an option but only with the sat nav that is standard on Allure but was an expensive option on other trims.

Peugeot 3008 Reliability and warranty

In 2015 Motor Warranty Direct declared the 3008 the fifth most reliable European used car more than three years old and out of its manufacturer warranty. Note: that’s European used cars. Japanese models were more reliable but it’s still an impressive ranking.

The same year, in Auto Express’s Driver Power owner satisfaction survey the 3008 charted at 105 out of 200 cars. It didn't score badly in any particular area while owners rated its practicality best of all.

Problems with the car tend to be minor but it’s worth bearing in mind that since April 2018, the MOT for diesels has become more severe, so you’ll need to keep on top of maintenance to ensure your 3008 HDi passes its emissions tests.

Used Peugeot 3008

Family cars such as the 3008 don't have the easiest time of it. Interiors can take a hammering, while exteriors can suffer parking dings. Fortunately, BuyaCar vehicles are thoroughly inspected and there’s an inspection report detailing the condition of every car’s exterior and interior so buyers know exactly what they’re getting.

There are currently 79 Peugeot 3008s available on BuyaCar, with prices ranging from £8,495 to £32,964. Monthly finance payments start from £206.81 per month.

There are plenty of diesel 3008s around, which helps to keep a lid on prices. It means that the argument about buying a more expensive diesel if you do a high mileage and a cheaper petrol if you’re just running around town, doesn't really apply since the diesel 3008s are already competitively priced.

The only thing to bear in mind is that from 2015, all diesel 2008s became Euro 6 compliant, meaning they escape emissions surcharges in city centres.

Also dominant in number is top-spec Allure trim which, as we said earlier, helps to bring a little sparkle to what is essential quite a functional and unattractive vehicle. However, it comes at a price – around £2000 more than Active, the next trim down and our favourite in terms of value for money.

       

Other Editions

3008 (2016)

The Peugeot 3008 ushers a top quality interior and advanced safety equipment into the crossover market