Brand New Peugeot 3008 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid 195 GT 5dr Auto

Could you form a bond with this PHEV Peugeot 3008? Jonathan Crouch decides.

Ten Second Review

The best all-round Peugeot 3008 might well be this one, the Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 version. This PHEV variant now goes up to 52 miles without troubling fossil fuel and aims to position you as the most stylish occupant of the gym car park. Tempting attributes.

Background

Here's the Peugeot 3008 variant you might not have considered - which is a pity because it could just be the one you actually need. We're talking about the PHEV version - or to give it its designated name, the 3008 Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DSC7. In the 3008 range, the E-3008 full-EV version gets all the publicity, while the entry-level Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 self-charging model gets nearly all the sales. Price-positioned plumb between these two variants is this PHEV derivative which, at first glance, seems to offer the best bits of both. The old second generation 3008 offered a Plug-in Hybrid variant too (launched in 2020), but hardly anyone bought it because it was too expensive and its EV range was feeble. Will this replacement model do better? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

The Plug-In Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 powertrain features a much larger 21kWh battery than the one used in the previous generation model. It delivers up to 52 miles of electric range. This is combined with an updated version of the brand's 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged PureTech petrol engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission incorporating a 92kW electric motor, resulting in a combined 195hp and 350Nm of torque. The 0-62mph sprint takes 7.8s en route to 137mph. The 3008 Plug-in Hybrid comes with a choice of three drive modes - 'Hybrid', 'Electric' and 'Sport'. The default mode is 'Hybrid', automatically managing the alternating or simultaneous operation of the petrol engine and electric motor. To optimise fuel consumption, this mode will prioritise all-electric driving as often as possible. The 'Electric' mode allows driving using only electric power with speeds up to 83mph, while in 'Sport', the electric power is used to supplement the petrol engine to deliver maximum performance for more dynamic driving. Thanks to its STLA platform, which also has to accommodate the larger 5008, this is one of the heavier PHEVs in the mid-sized class and you'll feel this car's considerable weight through the turns. Nor does it help that the wrist-flick responses promised by the little steering wheel don't translate into a rack with much feel when you most need it at speed through tight corners when you're running late.

Design and Build

Apart from the badging, there aren't really any visual give-aways that this is a Plug-in Hybrid 3008. If you choose any version of this Peugeot SUV, it'll probably primarily be because you like the way it looks; the sleek fastback styling, the distinctive slim 3D rear light panel and the unusual 'cat's ear' rear spoiler. This MK3 design is a bigger 3008 than its predecessor, 54mm wider and around 100mm longer than before. There are few body lines and Range Rover-like hidden waistline seals. And inside? Well Peugeot isn't going to abandon its unusual 'i-Cockpit' dashboard design approach - nor should it - but it can certainly evolve this approach, and has here, with this MK3 model's 'Panoramic i-Cockpit' set-up. The previous dinky little low-set wheel is retained but above it, there's now a gently curving 21-inch screen that doubles as a driver display and an infotainment monitor. It's been mounted so as to seemingly 'float' above the dashboard and stretches from the centre console to the A-pillar. As in the old car, there are configurable 'i-Toggle' haptic buttons, but Peugeot has doubled their number to ten. These can be set to deal with basic things like cabin temperature or fan speed; or maybe more eclectic things like reserving one to call a particular person on your phone. It all feels quite high end - the fascia is wrapped in grey textile, beautifully back-lit and highlighted by curved metallic inserts. As for the back seat, well the fastback roofline obviously doesn't help headroom, but this MK3 model's 64mm increase in wheelbase length should mean there's a little more leg space. Out back, thanks to the STLA Medium platform, the boot volume of the 3008 Plug-In Hybrid (588-litres, as with the other variants in the range) is 30% larger (up 130-litres) compared to the previous version.

Market and Model

Peugeot has positioned this PHEV 3008 neatly in the middle of the range price-wise, with prices from launch starting from just under £41,000. To give you some perspective, the self-charging Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 3008 model starts from around £35,000, while the full-EV E-3008 starts from around £46,000. As usual with Peugeot these days, there are two available trim levels, 'Allure' and 'GT'. 'Allure' trim includes 19-inch alloy wheels, ECO LED headlights, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control, body-coloured accents for the front grille and keyless entry. Plus ambient lighting linked to the drive modes, a wireless smartphone charging pad and wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. 'GT' spec upgrades you to 20-inch wheels and adds a contrasting black roof and rear spoiler, as well as a heated steering wheel, pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beams, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functions, a hands-free opening tailgate and front parking sensors. There's also 8-colour extended ambient lighting, a frameless electrochrome rear view mirror, driver's seat lumbar support, heated front seats and Alcantara upholstery with faux leather trimming. Each spec level can be specified with a choice of three different options packs. There's lots of camera safety kit too, including autonomous braking and Lane keep assist.

Cost of Ownership

Peugeot rates the EV range of this Plug-in Hybrid as 39-52 miles - which is quite a range, but considerably greater than the previous generation model. In exclusively city-based motoring, that would rise to 50-64 miles. Fuel consumption is rated at 212.7-356.2mpg. And CO2 returns are rated at 18-30g/km, depending on variant. When equipped with the optional 7.4kW on-board charger, charging this car's 21kWh battery takes 2 hours 45 minutes (from 0-100%) from an AC fast charger. Via the 'MyPeugeot' smartphone app or by using the vehicle's touchscreen, owners can schedule a wake-up time for the battery. This means that the cells can be at the optimal temperature for efficiency from the time you start up, plus of course the interior can also be pre-cooled or pre-heated too. Owners can opt to purchase a single service plan to cover all essential maintenance. Service intervals for all 3008s are every year or 20,000 miles. The PHEV battery comes with an eight year / 100,000 warranty for 70% of its capacity.

Summary

Peugeot has taken a close look at all the failings of the previous generation 3008 Plug-in Hybrid and tried to thoroughly address them with this replacement model. It's still quite pricey and, by the latest class standards, it's EV range could still be longer, but it's undeniably a very much improved product. Which sets itself apart in the showroom with avant-garde looks and a trendy cabin. Whether you'd want to blow the kind of money that Peugeot's asking for one of these is another question. If you're seduced by this 3008 though and need the low BiK taxation that only a plug-in derivative can offer, for us it makes more sense than the pricey, heavier EV model.