If you’ve been keeping an eye on the automotive world, you’ll know that the Peugeot 3008 SUV has been attracting heaps of glowing reviews on the other side of the channel, and this all-new model is now finally making it to the UK.
It’s going to need to impress to make its presence felt in the intensely competitive compact SUV segment, and the line has recently been somewhat eclipsed by rivals like the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar, and SEAT Ateca. Peugeot clearly understand this, so they’ve gone big with the new 3008. It’s literally larger than its predecessor, even though weight has been dropped, and it comes with radically improved technology.
Astutely grasping the family-friendly nature of the compact SUV segment, the Peugeot 3008 truly pushes the boat out when it comes to safety technology. ‘Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert’ delivers autonomous braking to prevent frontal collisions and a lane departure warning system to alert you if you stray from your chosen lane without indicating. There’s also an innovative Driver Alert Warning system that notices driver fatigue and provides a warning when you need a rest.
Further driver assistance technologies include Automatic High Beam Assistance, Speed Sign Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, and Active Blind Spot Monitoring System, plus a ‘Visiopark’ surround-view camera and a handy Park Assist function.
It’s rare for a compact crossover available in the UK to offer such features, so the Peugeot 3008 stands out with ease. And safety technology isn’t the only hallmark. The attractive i-Cockpit design brings a modern dashboard that houses an innovative new infotainment system, and a new Amplify option lets you shift settings for ambient lighting and music selection in a flash. In-cabin fragrance diffusers create a fresh environment, and your seats can be fitted with a massage function to turn the gruelling morning commute into an impromptu relaxation session.
But don’t worry that the Peugeot 3008 might speak more to the heart than the head – there’s plenty of practicality here to complement the vehicle’s alluring creature comforts. With up to 520-litres of cargo space as standard, you’re unlikely to want for room. If you ever do need a little more, just fold the second row of seats flat to create a total capacity of 1580-litres. That’s one of the largest capacities in the compact crossover segment, and the celebrated adaptable moving boot floor has been evolved further to provide fully-optimised boot space. Nice.