Road test report ---------- October 2009 ------ by Kevin Fenix.

Peugeot 3008 SX

Unusually for a road test, I have been able to experience the car as a passenger, as well as driving it. This test covers extensive motorway driving, at both rush hour and off peak times, as well as regional, suburban and main roads, plus narrow country lanes. Included in that are Fingal’s notorious craters and potholes. Taking all this together I am tremendously impressed with what I found.
Over the years, my favourite body styles have been roadsters, convertibles and estate cars, in that order. This 3008 certainly satisfies all my requirements for an estate car, besides adding some extra qualities of its own. One of those extra qualities is its additional height. For example the Peugeot 308 estate model I tested in November 2008, had an overall height of 1555 mm, whereas the 3008 stands 1639 mm high. That additional height comes into its own when driving along country lanes, with walls or hedges on either side. In a lower car your view of the surrounding countryside is normally restricted by those walls and hedges. In the 3008 we were able to comfortably see over them, which on a fine sunny afternoon, enabled my passengers and I to appreciate why Wicklow is so aptly called the “Garden of Ireland !” That additional height is also greatly appreciated on motorways at rush hour. When the traffic comes to a halt, you are able to see over the cars in front of you, which helps to determine what is causing the hold-up ahead. Then there is another advantage, in that many people feel a lot safer, when sitting up that bit higher, especially in congested city traffic.
I have grown up children living in the south of England and up in the north east in Newcastle upon Tyne. Driving there is a long journey after the ferry crossing, so a comfortable car is an essential. If it also adds plenty of space for luggage and other nicknacks, as well as an effortless performance and a frugal fuel consumption, then it is just the car for the job ! If it has one little niggling annoyance, it is that the long sloping windscreen means the roof reaches its highest point at the B-pillar. If you are not careful, you can bump your head on the cantrail when getting into the front seat. It never happened to me, but it did happen to one of my passengers, who was in a bit of a hurry.

I mentioned an effortless performance, so what exactly am I suggesting ? Cruising along an uncongested motorway, it will waft along with an effortless ease at 120 kph (75 mph). So effortless in fact that you have to keep an eagle eye on the speedometer, as the car will glide past that upper speed limit without you even suspecting it. It is a case of watching the speedometer, or setting the cruise control. Top speed is given as 180 kph (111 mph), so at 120 kph, there is still plenty in reserve. Away from a free flowing motorway, the 0-100 kph acceleration time of 12.2 seconds is probably a lot more interesting. This certainly allows you to compete in the stop lights grand prix without difficulty. The car is, however, just as happy to trickle along at city and suburban speeds, without you having to spend all your energy changing up and down through the gears.
Its 1.6 litre turbocharged diesel engine, is tuned to deliver 82 kW @ 4,000 rpm, which equates to a specific output of 52.564 kW/lt. This is very modest, yet still highly acceptable, for what is a spacious, comfortable and practical family car. Its torque delivery is an impressive 240 Nm @ just 1,750 rpm, which means you can trickle along in traffic without having to constantly stir the gear lever. The test car had a silky smooth, six speed manual transmission, with a set of very well chosen gear ratios. It is what makes the car such an effortless pleasure to drive. Early in the new year, the 3008 will be offered with the six speed Ecomatique gearbox. Basically this is the same gearbox, but instead of having to shift manually, it is done for you electronically. I have no problems with the manual gearchange, but having experienced the Ecomatique in a 308 hatchback earlier this year, it is my preferred choice. It also has the advantage of delivering a slightly lower fuel consumption.
Talking of fuel consumption, the manual six speed 3008 delivers an impressive 43 mpg (6.5 lt/100 km) on the urban cycle. rising to a magnificent 64 mpg (4.4 lt/100 km) on the extra urban cycle and averaging 55 mpg (5.1 lt/100 km) on the combined cycle. For a spacious, comfortable, versatile, practical, five seater family car, that is excellent. A fuel consumption of that order gives an exhaust emission of 137 gm/km putting the 3008 into Irish road tax band B, with an annual burden, at present rates, of 156 euro. That is exactly the sort of low operating costs, Irish family motorists need in these days of financial stringency.

The layout of the instrument panel is top notch, with the requirements of the driver fully to the fore. Look at the design of the centre console, high up and close to the driver’s left hand. At the top there is a large clear digital information panel, giving a wide variety of necessary information. Below it the audio system is easy to see and reach, as are the three round switches for the climate control. There is an electric handbrake behind the gear lever, a 12v socket alongside with two cupholders behind and out of sight in the picture above. The armrest between the seats, covers a truly huge storage box.
In the normal manner a hooded binnacle houses two large round dials for tachometer (left) and speedometer (right), with two smaller round dials for engine temperature (left) and fuel level (right). Below the two smaller instruments and between the two larger ones, there is another easy to see digital information panel. The analogue instruments have white lettering on black backgrounds with red needles, making them easy to see, although if I were offered my own preferences, I would opt for all digital information.
Under the steering wheel, which adjusts for reach and height, there are stalks for direction indicators, lights, wipers washers and the cruise control. The SX version tested had four electric windows and electrically adjustable, exterior rear view mirrors. The controls for all of these are located in the driver’s door armrest. I particularly liked the fact that when you locked the car by remote control, these exterior mirrors folded in automatically, folding out again when the car was unlocked.
The leather covered steering wheel had a high quality feel and was geared to give 2.75 turns from lock to lock. This gives a good feel to the driving, without being too direct and edgy, whilst at the same time it is not too remote and lacking in precision. It is just one of the many factors that makes this car such a pleasure to drive.
The two front seats, which both adjust for reach, height and backrest angle, are well bolstered in a sporting car manner and are very comfortable and supportive. The rear bench seat is divided 60/40 and has a folding centre armrest that gives access to a ski hatch. They fold easily from either the boot, or the catches on the top outer corners. The two outer places are equipped with ISOfix fittings for child safety seats.

Besides providing, comfortable, spacious, safe, seating space for at least five people a modern family car also needs to provide space for their belongings, shopping and other normal daily requirements. Measured between the normal luggage floor and the underside of the rear parcels shelf, the 3008 offers 0.512 cubic metres of space, when all five seats are in use. This can be expanded in stages to a maximum of 1.604 cubic metres when only two seats are needed and you load to the roof. That is practical versatility without a doubt !

Above left : Normal luggage space with shelf in position and sill erect
Above right : Maximum luggage space with shelf removed and sill horizontal

The innovation does not end there. The rear sill opens down to provide a horizontal extension to the luggage floor, in a similar manner to a pick-up truck’s rear tailgate. This certainly helps when loading heavy items, but it also offers another very useful facility. When enjoying the great outdoors, on occasions like family picnics, or when just out enjoying the fresh air and the scenery, it makes a useful seat, well able to accommodate two adults. The open rear hatchback also provides a modicum of protection from the sun and even the dampness that seems to have become so much part of our so called summer.

Above : Luggage floor in raised position with storage space above and below.

Another clever idea is the removable luggage floor that can be raised to provide a sturdy shelf with storage space above and below. When the lower level luggage floor is removed there is a black polystyrene storage tray covering the Spacesaver spare wheel and wheel changing tools. This can be used for small items or additional tools and things of a similar nature.
My only reservation about the whole package is that Spacesaver spare wheel, which is unsuitable for use when towing and has a limited range at a painfully slow speed, especially if your journey happens to include motorways and narrow twisting country roads.

Above left : Polystyrene storage tray above spare wheel
Above right : Spacesaver spare wheel and wheel changing tools

Then to round it all off, the 3008 can tow braked trailers/caravans of up to 1100 kg, or unbraked trailers of 750 kg. It can also manage up to 75 kg in a suitable container on the roof. All round versatility such as that must surely make it the, “Family car par Excellence !”
Ride and roadholding are very good, even on our twisting ill-maintained roads. The extra height of the 3008 does not in any way compromise its roadholding, always remembering that it is a family car and not a world rally car. When reversing into a parking spot, a set of rear parking sensors would be helpful - they are included in the top of the range SV specification - but you can live without them. Similarly the rounded sloping front end could be a little bit tricky at first, but you soon get used to it and it no longer becomes a problem.
Overall I am so impressed with it, that despite some a truly magnificent convertible I drove recently and some other highly impressive models that passed through my test schedule, I have decided to nominate the Peugeot 3008 as my :

Twin Cam
Irish Car of the Year 2009



Peugeot 3008


Technical data