Test: Peugeot e-3008 – Solid French blow

Why not a version with an even smaller battery?

Range and purchase price are the most important reasons for today’s fuel drivers not to switch to the EV camp. A car with batteries is indeed still not cheap, but you usually don’t have to worry about whether you will get home in the evening. We hear from a technician at Peugeot that a conscious decision was made not to supply the e-3008 – the first car on the new SLTA platform – with less battery capacity than 73 kWh. Although this may result in an attractive basic price, a limited range is actually counterproductive for the acceptance of the EV. For the production of the batteries, Peugeot has entered into a partnership with Mercedes-Benz and Total under the name ACC (Automotive Cells Co), including a large factory in France.

Where is the Peugeot e-3008 built?

The electric motor and transmission are also homegrown and the car itself is built in Sochaux. Yet the e-3008 we drive still has a BYD battery on board, but the ACC package will only be installed in the floor from the end of this year. The e-3008 will be available at the beginning of 2025 with a battery capacity of no less than 98 kWh (front-wheel drive, 230 hp), quite unique in this segment. We estimate an additional price of around €5,000 for that variant, based on the amounts that other brands charge for a comparable amount of extra kWhs. The dual-motor model will also come next year. It has 320 hp, in combination with the 73-kWh battery.

Is the new 3008 bigger than its predecessor?

The sloping roofline makes the new 3008 look like a coupe, the brand itself calls it an SUV fastback. It is two centimeters higher than its predecessor and at 1.90 meters it is even a lot wider. The brand name is written in full on the tailgate, a wiper is missing on the back. We choose the introductory color ‘Blue Obsession’, which is supplied at no extra cost. In combination with the expressive design, this bright blue hue makes the 3008 very present and distinctive among all the gray and black. If possible, even more work has been done on the interior, we have come to expect it from Peugeot.

How are you in the new 3008?

All these efforts do not lead to a crooked or artificial affair, on the contrary. Whether it concerns the design, materials, finish or functionality; everything is right inside the 3008. Okay, it takes some getting used to the small steering wheel, as part of the i-Cockpit, but otherwise you as a driver are safely ensconced in your own cocoon. On a seat with the well-known German AGR label (Aktion Gesunder Rücken) with a slightly curved, 21-inch screen in your field of view. It floats, as it were, above the dashboard and in the left part you will find all driver information, in the right part things such as navigation, audio, climate control, apps and all settings.

Does the navigation also calculate charging stops?

Another novelty is the second, small screen with the so-called ‘i-toggles’. It is standard on the GT and available at extra cost on the Allure. Think of it as a digitized button cluster, which is even programmable. This gives you quick access to your favorite menu. For example, that of the driver assistance systems, to silence that damned speed warning. The navigation system calculates long trips including charging stops, in which you can even set the necessary parameters. We hear that preheating the battery to charge faster will only be possible from the next update.

Is one pedal driving possible?

The push buttons to select the direction of travel are now next to the start button and no longer on the center console, which is the most logical position. We see new, more attractive stems on the steering column and the old control satellite for the cruise control made way for buttons on the steering wheel. The high-gloss lacquer makes them look like touch buttons; you just have to press them as usual. While at Stellantis we are used to a B-mode for regenerative braking, the e-3008 uses paddles on the steering wheel. There is a choice of three levels, the strongest level is still not one pedal, but comes pretty close. In addition, you can choose from three driving modes: Eco (125 kW), Normal (140 kW) and Sport (157 kW). In the latter case, the steering feels slightly heavier.

Peugeot 3008.

How does the e-3008 drive?

Well, an EV with front-wheel drive, how does that work out? To find out, we immediately choose the sport driving mode, so that we have the full torque and power. The front train handles it well, as it soon becomes apparent. We note that the response of the accelerator pedal is quite mild. There is already some dosage at the front. In any case, no violent drive reactions in the steering wheel and no spinning front wheels when accelerating quickly. The steering is above average direct, which combines well with the small steering wheel. The suspension is not exactly Peugeot, the high weight sometimes takes its toll, although it still feels comfortable. That doesn’t change the fact that you enjoy rounding corners, as we noticed during the first test kilometers.

What are the competitors of the Peugeot e-3008?

What contributes to driving comfort is the low noise level and of course the nice seating position. The space in the back seat is on the tight side for someone with a height of 1.90 m. The trunk has a capacity of 520 liters, the e-3008 lacks a storage compartment under the hood. We can never say anything meaningful about the range after such a first introduction, but even if it were between 400 and 450 km in practice, that would be more than sufficient. The e-3008 leaves a good impression after this first introduction, but it has formidable competition in this price range in the form of the inevitable Tesla Model Y and also the Volvo EC40, Skoda Eyaq Coupé and Nissan Ariya. It will be in the showroom from May.