Peugeot 3008 (2009 – 2017) Review

Peugeot 3008 (2009 – 2017) At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
If you’re after a cheap, practical, flexible and efficient family crossover, the Peugeot 3008 should be on your shortlist.

+Spacious and practical interior, excellent diesel engines, clever split tailgate and boot.

-Not the nicest car to drive, some interior quality issues, pre-facelift cars are best avoided.

Insurance Groups are between 14–26
On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

The Peugeot 3008 was one of the first cars to capitalise on the demand for SUV-style crossovers, arriving soon after the sector-defining Nissan Qashqai. As the name suggests, it’s based on the Peugeot 308 hatchback, but the taller, bulkier and more rugged body delivers more interior space, while the raised driving position gives a commanding view of the road ahead. Launched in 2009, but facelifted in 2014, the Peugeot 3008 is a well-priced and practical crossover, with the earliest models available for less than £2000.

You know the drill. Take a family hatchback, raise the ride height, give it funky SUV styling, but retain the efficiency of the donor vehicle. The result: a family crossover. This is precisely what Peugeot did when it launched the original 3008 in 2009.

It’s based on the 308 hatchback, so you get similar driving characteristics and the same broad range of engines. It was one of the first of the new breed of crossovers, following in tyre marks of the Nissan Qashqai, and rivalling other cars like the Kia Sportage and Ford Kuga. Today, almost every carmarker has an SUV in its stable, but things were different a decade ago.

Not that we’d recommend buying one of the early cars. A 2014 facelift introduced smarter styling, an improved cabin and more efficient engines. The result is a car that, while hardly exciting, should be easier to live with, not to mention slightly easier on the eye.

Practicality is a real strong point. The boot is large enough to rival some estate cars, especially if you fold the rear seats. There’s also enough space in the back seats for two adults – three at a push – with plenty of headroom and legroom throughout the cabin.

This practicality is enhanced by a clever split tailgate design, which allows for easy access to the boot. The lightweight upper section can be opened independently, or you can fold the lower half of the tailgate to support up to 200kg in weight. It can function as a place for a family picnic or somewhere to sit if you need to change your shoes. You also get a handy three-level boot floor for extra flexibility.

Throw into the mix the split-folding rear seats, flat-folding front passenger seat and clever storage options, and it’s not hard to see why so many people were turned on by the idea of a family crossover. Even today, a used 3008 is more appealing than a contemporary 308 hatchback.

On the road, the driving experience is a tad forgettable, but by majoring on ride comfort, Peugeot ensured that the 3008 would appeal to as many people as possible. The soft suspension and raised driving position combine to make this a great car for long distances, especially once you factor in the efficient engines.

The 1.6-litre diesel – badged e-HDi or BlueHDi – is a particular highlight, offering a terrific blend of punchy performance and fuel economy.

The 2.0-litre diesel feels less refined, and we’d also avoid the 1.6-litre petrol, preferring the later 1.2-litre PureTech engine. This three-cylinder unit offers fizzy performance in the city, surprisingly punchy acceleration on the open road, with the fuel economy to rival some diesels.

A budget of £5000 is enough to secure a post-facelift model, but you don’t need to spend more than £10,000 on a 3008.

If you're looking for the newer version, you need our Peugeot 3008 review

Ask Honest John

My engine light is on, the garage says it is an EGR fault, what can I do?

"I have a 2009 Peugeot 3008, 1.6 HDI with 110,000 miles recorded. I have owned it for three months. Recently the engine light has come on several times, and gone off again, and then came on permanently, listing an EGR fault although the car showed no adverse signs or effects.. I have had the car checked at a local garage, and the fault cancelled and have been advised to use better quality fuel, (Shell V max etc). Is this a common fault?"
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve (EGR) is a common feature on diesel engines to reduce NO emissions by returning some of the exhaust gases to the combustion chamber, reducing temperatures and therefore NOx emissions. On older vehicles with higher mileages the EGR valve can become clogged up with carbon deposits, causing intermittent faults or for it to stop working completely. Using a premium fuel may help with this, as they containing cleaning agents which can reduce carbon build-up.
Answered by David Ross

Which small SUV should I buy?

"With £20,000 to spend on a small SUV, would you recommend a nearly new 1.5 Skoda Karoq or a slightly higher mileage BMW X1?"
We'd go for the Karoq. It's a brilliant small SUV that offers good value for money - although the 1.5 does suffer from hesitation issues. You could consider a Volkswagen Tiguan, too, although you'll be looking at one roughly the same age as an X1. How about a Peugeot 3008 as an alternative? It feels more premium than the Karoq but you'll get a newer one than an X1. We've had fewer issues reported with the 3008, too.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What's the most comfortable, fuel-efficient SUV?

"I'm looking for an SUV that's easy to get into, comfortable to drive for hours at a time and has good fuel economy. Long journeys would be on motorways/dual carriageways. I'm looking at Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel, Peugeot 2008 and 3008. Any help, please?"
Skoda Karoq, Toyota C-HR, Lexus NX and Peugeot 3008 are the best for comfort. Might also want to consider the Mazda CX-30. We're running a CX-30 long term currently and it's very good - but there's no diesel-engined models in the UK.
Answered by Dan Powell

Should I get my car chipped?

"I'm considering chipping my Peugeot 3008 2.0 150PS, it's done 62,000 miles. The claimed power increase is 187PS and fuel consumption reduction of 30 per cent. Is this viable and, if so, why don't manufacturers offer this?"
They do, actually. The latest 308 is offered with 180PS mapping: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/peugeot/peugeot-308-2017-revamp-range-road-test/?section=engine/ But at 62,000 miles I would not contemplate this mod. And you would have to disclose it to your insurer.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Peugeot 3008 (2009 – 2017) cost?