2022 Peugeot 3008 1.6L THP
What is Peugeot, and what is the 3008? I know you have these types of questions on your mind. The marque is French, and the 3008 is their compact SUV reintroduced in the country early this year as the brand went under new management in January 2022.
Your next query is obvious. Is the 3008 any good? Instead of boring you with a lengthy monologue, more than half of which you skim over anyway, I have listed down the top eight things I loved about it. Few of these you will find in its competitors, but the rest makes this model unique in the market.
Un: Frameless grille
This feature is a segment-first and helps give the 3008 a distinctive look. It starts with little bits in the middle, near the lion logo, before the parts get longer as it radiates outwards and connects to the lines on the bumper. On each side are full-LED headlamps with Peugeot’s fang-like daytime running lamps on the outer side.
Deux: i-Cockpit
There is nothing like this package, regardless of the price level. It starts with the small oval-shaped steering wheel, the ergonomic gear selector, and the cloth trim separating the upper and lower part of the padded dashboard. The configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is gorgeous, and the 10-inch infotainment touchscreen is angled slightly towards the driver for easier access.
I do have two minor issues. The top of the steering wheel blocks the bottom part of the instrument panel, and the graphic user interface for entertainment and the aircon aren’t very intuitive.
Trois: Interior space
Its 2,730 mm wheelbase is one of the biggest in the segment and gives it generous cabin space. There is plenty of legroom in the second row, and when I folded the seat, the cargo capacity went from 591 liters to a whopping 1,670 liters.
Quatre: 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine
The engine uses a six-speed automatic transmission to send 165-PS and 240-Nm of torque to the front wheels. In normal mode, it takes a while for this 1.3-ton unit to gain some momentum. Once it has picked up the pace, it feels light and reactive. Sport mode is the best — response is quick even with minimal throttle input and the 3008 dives enthusiastically into every move. Brakes and steering were sensitive, which made for a terrific car-driver connection. Fuel consumption is 8.6 km/l in mixed driving conditions.
Cinq: Advanced Grip Control
You do not see this in local compact SUVs, especially front-wheel drive units. It provides optimum traction whether you are on muddy or sandy terrain. There is Normal mode, where Filipino owners will be 99.9% of the time, and snow, which will never get used here. I would not take it off-road if I were you because this feature was only meant to save you from sticky situations.
Six: Safety features
Aside from standard stuff like the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist, it also has an Electronic Stability Program, rear and front parking sensors, Hill-Start Assist, and Hill-Descent Control. Plus, it comes with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems like Active Blind Spot Monitoring, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Advanced Driver Attention Warning.
Sept: Cabin amenities
The 3008 is very modern. It has Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, front and rear USB ports, and even a wireless charging pad. The climate control system is automatic, offers dual-zone cooling, and has rear air vents. I only wish they’d offer wireless Apple CarPlay too.
My three favorite things are lumbar support (driver’s seat), the panoramic sunroof, and the power tailgate with a kick sensor so you can open it hands-free.
Huit: Price
Now that it is made in Malaysia, the 3008 dropped half a million from its price tag. You can now get yours at a segment-competitive price of P2.090 million. Plus, with all of the above, it still has the French flair you won’t find in any other compact SUVs on the market.