The all-new 3008, launched by Peugeot after eight years, features a stylish design and smooth driving feel, enhanced by hybrid technology for improved efficiency. The 3008, an urban sports utility vehicle (SUV), is one of Peugeot's flagship models, accounting for 27% of total Peugeot sales in Korea.
The exterior of the all-new 3008 showcases Peugeot's unique design and proportions. Peugeot applies what is known as the "Feline Look," reminiscent of feline animals, to the vehicle. The emphasis is on sharp and strong impressions rather than curves and volume, with a new emblem at the front, a striking grille, and headlamps shaped like lion claws.
The fastback silhouette extending from the side to the rear and the roofline adds a fresh touch. The fastback has a gently sloping form from the roof to the trunk, which may evoke thoughts of a coupe rather than an SUV at first glance. The horizontally stretched taillamps and subtly embossed logo give a modern and sophisticated feeling.
The interior has a streamlined structure centered around displays, resembling the ambiance sought by the latest electric vehicles. A 21-inch curved display spans from the driver’s seat across the center of the dashboard, appearing to hover in midair. The steering wheel is notably smaller than competitors, and the light handling made driving comfortable throughout.
The method of operating the display was inconvenient. There is a small auxiliary display at the bottom of the main display where frequently used functions can be set, but switching between the separated screens for touch inputs was cumbersome. While minimizing physical buttons gives a clean appearance, it might take time to interact flexibly while driving.
The first-row space and trunk are ample and spacious, but the rear seats are of a size that may be awkward for family use. Smaller children have no problems, but adults may find the legroom narrow. The trunk has a base capacity of 588 liters (L), which expands up to a maximum of 1663L when the rear seats are folded down. The higher trim features a hands-free power trunk function that opens automatically without hand or foot motions.
The overall driving feel is light and smooth, resembling driving an electric vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with a 48V smart hybrid system, capable of driving approximately 50% of the time on electric power in urban settings. With regenerative braking and acceleration assist features added, simply lifting the foot off the accelerator pedal naturally reduces speed, making it convenient.
The ride comfort is decent. Engine noise was occasionally heard during driving, but there was almost no wind noise entering through the door seams at high speeds. The body jolted significantly over uneven surfaces. However, the passenger sitting in the front seat evaluated that the seat wrapped around the body securely, minimizing the feeling of bumps.
The combined fuel efficiency is 14.6 kilometers per liter (14.7 km/L in urban areas, 14.6 km/L on highways), while it actually recorded around 11 km/L. The driving route spanned approximately 100 kilometers round trip on highways and national roads from downtown Gangnam, Seoul, to Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The combined fuel efficiency of the previously sold second-generation gasoline model was 12.2 km/L (11.1 km/L in urban areas, 13.8 km/L on highways). The vehicle is certified as an eco-friendly car, eligible for benefits such as reductions in public parking fees and congestion charges.
Sales of the vehicle began on the 11th of this month. The price for the base trim Allure is 44.9 million won, and the higher trim GT is 49.9 million won, the same as the previous generation. With the special consumption tax reduction benefits applicable until the end of this year, the Allure can be purchased for 44.251 million won, and the GT for 49.163 million won.
While it is cheaper than similarly sized imported models, it may be less competitive compared to the prices of domestic hybrid SUVs, which are established in the 30 million won range. The Kia Sorento hybrid, the best-selling vehicle in Korea during the first half of this year, sold 36,742 units and starts at 38.85 million won. The Renault Korea best-seller, the Koleos E-Tech hybrid, begins at 37.77 million won, while the Actyon hybrid from KG Mobility, launched on the 8th, starts at 36.95 million won.