New Peugeot 3008: Arkana or Rafale, which will be its real rival?

At Audi, BMW and Mercedes, we have been multiplying these sporty profiles on SUVs for more than ten years. But few general manufacturers have taken the risk. Let us cite here and there the exotic Ssangyong Actyon which cut the grass under the wheels of the BMW little considering its slightly raised ground clearance.

Pioneering French people

But the trigger in the compact SUV niche is probably to the credit of the Renault Arkana, launched in 2019 on the Russian market before entering the Western European market two years later with the success it is said to have. knows. And even before the competition had time to respond directly, the Losange doubled down last spring by revealing the Rafale. Therefore, which of the two will be more likely to worry the third generation of Peugeot 3008, recently inducted into the very exclusive club of SUV coupes?

The Arkana closer in size

From the outset, with its 4.57 m long, the Arkana appears to be the most legitimate of “the Renault gang” to rub shoulders with the new products of the Lion (4.54 m), while the Rafale seems to play in the higher category by extending to 4.71 m, the size of the new Espace, to be placed alongside the 7-seater SUVs. Yes, but there you have it, compared to the dashing 3008, the Arkana risks showing the weight of the years, despite its recent restyling. Difficult for it to weigh heavily with its platform extrapolated from the Clio and its dashboard closely derived from the Captur, as well as with its modest mild-hybrid (140 and 160 hp) and full-hybrid (145 hp) engines. . Evolving in more premium spheres, the 3008 will oppose three 100% electric mechanics (210, 230 and 320 hp), a rechargeable hybrid (195 hp), as well as a 48 V mild-hybrid of 136 hp, ultimately constituting the only plausible offer against Arkana. But at what cost ? When the 140 hp Arkana starts at €31,000, the Peugeot is not expected to fall below €40,000.

The Rafale more legitimate by its premium positioning

Despite the 17 cm gap that separates them, 3008 and Rafale will probably make customers procrastinating for premium SUV coupes, even if the Lion model will also compete with the Austral, in a more family register. In any case, both Rafale and Austral benefit from a much more opulent interior than that of the Arkana, as well as an OpenR Link digital environment capable of resisting Peugeot’s new Panoramic i-Cockpit.

Engines that are difficult to compare

Faced with the wide range of engines already promised by the Sochaux, the Rafale will initially only offer a full-hybrid unit of 200 hp, it is true. An engine that it will oppose, in a certain way, to the 195 hp rechargeable hybridization of the 3008. Subsequently, the Rafale also promises a PHEV offer, but much more dynamic (300 hp). A level of power to which the “Lionceau” will respond with 320 hp… 100% electric. In short, in terms of engines, it will be less easy to decide between them, as they operate in diametrically opposed registers, with equivalent power.