Peugeot E-3008 review

Pros: smart new styling, high-quality interior, good range and battery options

Cons: not massively memorable to drive, heavy

Peugeot E-3008 Design

Peugeot has made a big alteration to the E-3008 in the transition to this new car from the model it replaces, in that it has become a coupe-SUV, instead of a more upright crossover shape. This is to the benefit of aerodynamics, which helps an electric vehicle with driving range, as well as bringing the model an aesthetic sportiness that should bolster its showroom appeal. Beyond that, distinctive ‘lion -claw’ triple-light signatures are evident front and rear, there’s a neat floating spoiler at the top of tailgate, and in the wheelarches of the GT model are 20-inch alloys with an unusual design – this again is for the benefit of aerodynamics. Overall, like many modern Peugeots, the E-3008 is a good-looking thing.

Peugeot E-3008 Interior

One of the strengths of the old 3008 was its cabin and that remains true of the E-3008. It’s even more high-tech inside now, thanks to the adoption of a huge 21-inch widescreen construct atop the dash, which houses the instrument cluster and the main infotainment. Only the middle portion of this digital display is touch-sensitive, but it looks good and works well too. Elsewhere, there’s a pleasing mix of tactile fabrics and materials in a dramatically styled front-seat area, while large storage bins make it as practical as it is good to look at. Rear-seat passengers get decent leg- and headroom, while the boot remains at the same 520 litres (all seats up) as the vehicle it replaces – albeit the sloping rear screen does limit the E-3008’s outright cargo-carrying capacity from a practicality point of view.

Peugeot E-3008 Performance & Drive

There are going to be three drivetrain choices for the Peugeot E-3008, while there will even be models with internal combustion engines in the fullness of time – a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid will join the range, under the plainer 3008 badging. However, back to the E-3008s, there are two models with 73kWh battery packs and a range of around 525km to a charge, and then one with a huge 98kWh battery and a mooted 700km capability.

For the 73kWh variants, there’s a single-motor, 214hp option, or a ‘Dual Motor AWD’ with propulsion units on each axle and up to 326hp. The Long Range – that’s the one with the 98kWh battery – has 231hp.

We sampled the entry-level E-3008, with one motor and up to 214hp. It only makes this output in Sport mode, losing about 20hp and some torque in Normal and Eco modes. However, in none of the settings does this Peugeot feel particularly fast as it’s quite heavy.

That weight translates into handling which is only so-so, belying Peugeot’s reputation as a maker of fun-handling vehicles, and it can also result in ill-mannered urban ride quality if the road surface is poor and it’s riding on 20-inch wheels.

Driven out of town, though, or on better-finished routes, and the shining quality of the E-3008 dynamic experience is superb refinement. That new body shape results in minimal wind noise at speed, while there’s little tyre chatter coming through from the chassis and the suspension – so often intransigent and lumpen in town – is ultra-quiet and cultured once you’re doing more than 80km/h. So, it’s a bit of a mixed bag from the French marque on this score, but generally, as electric SUVs go, it drives in an assured and likeable fashion.

Peugeot E-3008 Pricing

At this stage, Peugeot hasn’t priced up the E-3008 for Ireland. We’d expect it to be in the ballpark of the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5, which start at around €42,000 and €48,000, respectively, but we can’t confirm that – or specifications, which are most likely to run Allure and GT - either at this stage.

Carzone Verdict

The Peugeot E-3008 is an important car, not just to its direct parent manufacturer but also to the wider group that Peugeot is part of, called Stellantis. The underpinnings of this coupe-SUV will be used for electric vehicles from the likes of DS Automobiles, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep and more, so it was important that the E-3008 was done right from the off. And there’s certainly a lot to like here, especially its excellent rolling refinement and decent one-shot driving range.