New Peugeot 3008: what are the differences with the old one?

The 3008, along with the 200 model series (205, 206, 207 and 208), is Peugeot’s other sacred number. From the first generation, launched in 2008, it met its audience, despite a controversial design. When the Sochaux brand renewed the experience and gave it a successor in 2016, the compact SUV changed completely, opting for a more classic but nevertheless original elegant dress and went from the status of a success to that of best- seller. At its best, it even managed to reach the top 3 in sales in France. Even outside our borders, without being number 1 in his category, which he has been almost all the time with us, he is having a great career. Faced with such success, one might be tempted to think that the formula would not change too much for the third 3008 of the name. And yet, and yet…

Style: it changes completely again

Once again, the latest generation 3008 doesn’t really look like the one it replaces. The first was a crossover, the second an SUV in the strict sense of the term, the new one turns into an SUV-coupe with a gently sloping roof. A body that has several advantages on paper. In this period where the slightest gram of CO2 can make a difference in Europe (CAFE standard) or in France (bonus/malus), a more slender silhouette allowing it to better cut through the air can prove useful. To gain a few kilometers of autonomy, it’s also useful, and that’s good, the 3008 III is now available in electric form (we’ll come back to that).

Finally and above all, it is a way for Peugeot to respond to Renault and its Arkana. Unlike the Diamond brand, Peugeot does not intend to offer a triple offer in the C SUV segment (Arkana + Austral + Espace). Of course, there will shortly be a renewed 5008 which will still have 7 seats, we hope so, and which will now have a direct competitor in Renault (the Espace), but this 3008 intends to offer the both the look of the Arkana and the techno as well as the family qualities of the Austral.

Dimensions/habitability/interior style:

Which brings us to our second point. So that the sloping roofline does not take too much of a toll on interior space, the 3008 has become larger than the one it replaces. In length, it gained 9 cm. It is also 5 cm wider. Finally, appearances are deceiving, it is 2 cm higher than its predecessor. So, if for example the trunk volume does not increase, it does not decrease either. With 520 liters in the hold, there is plenty to see. In addition, good news, this value is the same regardless of the engine chosen (here too, we will come back to this). Finally, last positive point, accessing the rear seats will not pose any more problem than in a “classic” SUV thanks to a little design trick in that the roof only begins to descend after the rear passengers. Clever!

Upon entering the cabin, the driver and his passengers will not be upset by this new 3008 if they were familiar with the previous one. The internal environment remains. There are quite a few developments all the same. Already, the digital instrumentation and the central touch screen are now one. In front of the driver there is a large curved panel (21″, the largest in this segment) from which the driver and front passenger can control everything. With its central screen, placed a little too far away, the new 3008 will not be a reference in terms of ergonomics. The old one couldn’t boast of doing better. And, just like on the latest version of 308, there are customizable tactile keys called i-Toggles for quick access to certain essential functions. C It’s always a catch…

Engines: electrification takes a new step

It is certainly on the technical level that the 3008 changes the most. The compact SUV inaugurates the new STLA Medium base which will soon be found on other models from the Stellantis group and can therefore, for the very first time in its career, drive all-electric. Moreover, the zero-emission 3008 (also called e-3008) will be the only one offered at launch in early 2024. Subsequently, there will be a 136 hp mild hybrid variant, the one that was recently introduced on the current grind, and another refillable. 100% thermal and diesel, on the other hand, are over.

Back to the e-3008. You will initially have the choice between three variants. A first, simple 2-wheel drive, 210 hp capable of driving 525 km on a single charge with its battery with a capacity of 73 kWh. These last two values ​​are shared with the intermediate version delivering a power of 320 hp thanks to its two electric motors (Dual Motor). Finally, the Long Autonomy variant lives up to its name with its large 98 kWh battery and its much greater range with an announced 700 km.

Obviously, with its electrified range of engines, the entry ticket should seriously increase from one generation to the next. We can count on a first price of around €40,000 (with mild hybridization) compared to just under €34,000 today. Let’s hope that Peugeot does not repeat the same mistake as with its e-308 and that the e-3008 starts below €47,000 to benefit from the ecological bonus. All that remains is to decide between the 3008 II and III on the road, that will be a little later.

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