Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4

There was a time when cars touching €44k (£40k) bore premium badges from the likes of BMW and Mercedes Benz.

Well no longer! Premium manufacturers have tried to attract aspiring buyers from the lower price ranges, and other manufacturers have tried to move into the premium sector. One example of the latter is Peugeot.

Their models have improved in both looks and build quality over the last few years and the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is a perfect demonstration.

Prices start from €30,113 (£27,160) and peak at €52,344 (£47,210). The engines options are a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo petrol, 4-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and two plug-in hybrids with a 1.6-litre petrol unit and either one or two electric motors. It’s the plug-in hybrids that drew my interest given the direction we’re motoring.

Two Peugeot 3008 hybrids are offered with an effective 180hp in two wheel drive form and 200hp in four wheel drive form. The latter uses two electric motors, one on each axle, and boosts the power to 300hp.

You’ll get around 40 miles on pure electric and a home charger helps the practicalities. It reaches 60 mph in just under 6 seconds. Mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox the whole 3008 experience is a relaxed and refined affair.

Switchable drive modes offer all electric, hybrid, sport and all-wheel-drive by a twist of a rotary control. The four wheel drive offers additional grip all the time but in winter, especially in more rural areas, it would certainly provide an added boost of confidence.

The low set and rather small steering wheel divides opinion as you see the instruments above rather than through the wheel.

The interior is a delight, radiating a quality and modern feel it’s a very nice place to be on any journey. Comfortable seats and good space – although the boot is smaller than you might expect because of those batteries – help matters along too.

Having arguably led the drive for digital cockpits the 3008 continues the theme, a direction I’m not convinced by but the Peugeot’s controls are very intuitive. Other manufacturers would do well to take note.

Priced at €49,683 (£44,810) for my GT model, I’m not convinced the four wheel drive version is worth the hefty chunk of extra cash over the €44,139 (£39,810) two wheel drive version. Whichever you choose I doubt you will be disappointed because this is one very stylish, impressive and comfortable SUV.

Facts at a Glance:

• Model: Peugeot 3008 GT HYbrid4 300 e-EAT8
• Engine: 1.6-litre turbo petrol/electric
• Gears: 8-speed automatic
• Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 6.1seconds/Maximum Speed petrol/electric 239/135 kmh (149/84 mph)
• Economy: 1.7 l/100km (166.2 mpg) combined driving/64 km (40 miles) electric range – WLTP
• Emissions: 29 g/km  – WLTP

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.