[raj_5004]

This thread is about how I sold a top end American luxury sedan (Ford Fusion) and purchased a base compact crossover (Peugeot 3008).

For those who feel I am out of mind, get this - as of now, my garage consists of a Chrysler (the one who made the PT cruiser) and a Peugeot (google Peugeot jokes) !!!

For those who would not be interested in reading the whole review, please feel free to skip using the below index (nobody to judge for skipping a Peugeot review):

Background

Shortlist and Purchase [Also includes - History of the 3008]

Specifications & Features

Exterior

Interior

In-Car Entertainment

Driving the 1.6L Turbo Petrol AT

Ride & Handling

Other Points

Comparison to the Ford Fusion

[raj_5004]

Background:

The Fusion was primarily my wife's daily driver. It was the fully loaded variant and had all the essential comfort and safety features plus more. The car was mechanically and cosmetically perfect, but at 130K kms, my hands started itching to get a new vehicle for her, this time a crossover!

As usual, we did not look at any new cars and only had preowned options in mind.

We started our search way back in November and checked quite a few UVs -

• Kia Sportage
• Hyundai Tucson
• Ford Escape
• Renault Koleos

All the above were rejected as their interiors were too basic for the price. Even compared to the 6 year old Fusion, they felt a huge downgrade.

We even checked some sedans -

• Renault Talisman
• Honda Civic

Both of the above were rejected by me due to their boring CVT transmission.

The Peugeot never crossed my mind because c'mon, who thinks of a Peugeot when buying a car! But I saw the advertisement for one and started checking the pictures and was blown away by the interiors. We even went to the dealer and sat in a new car, just to check the interiors and came back thoroughly impressed. At least I did. Wifey kept comparing it to the Fusion and felt that it was a huge downgrade (we were checking out the base variant) and hence the plan was postponed.

[raj_5004]

Shortlist and Purchase:

Come Feb 2020, me and my wife sat down to evaluate our various options and quickly discovered that if we do buy a crossover, we may have to compromise on many features. We however did extend our budget by another 2 Lacs INR to consider the 3008 over the other boring alternatives.

The 3008 was available in only 2 variants in UAE - Active (base) and GT Line (top). The difference in the feature list is tremendous and the GT line cost 6.5 Lacs more than the Active!

In fact, my colleague was in the market for a new crossover and he was quoted 16.15 Lacs for the 3008 Active. Used 3008s were in the ballpark of 10.50 ~ 12.50 Lacs (2018 models).

I started reading and watching a lot of reviews of the 3008 online, including consumer and reliability reports. Most reviews were positive and as expected, praised the interior design and quality. Reliability concerns were next to none.

The first car I saw and test drove was from a private buyer and the vehicle was in decent shape, but looked a tad abused. It has 62K kms on the odo and the asking price was 10.50 Lacs (it was a desperate sale as the owner was leaving the country). But the car was sold overnight even before we could take a decision.

That is when we decided to visit the Peugeot official dealer's pre-owned section as loan formalities would be in-house and easier and we shortlisted a black 3008 for 11 Lacs & free insurance. Upon further reviewing of the vehicle reports, it turned out that the dealership had painted all the panels of the car to remove dents and scratches. Now, if a car has been painted, it is a big deal here in the UAE and buyers are usually reluctant to buy painted cars for fear of major accidents. It will be difficult for me to sell this vehicle, so we rejected it.

Next the sales executive showed us another black 3008 with no accidents or painted panels & lower mileage too. The best he could offer on this car was 11.40 Lacs & free insurance. We signed the deal right there!

The bank approved my loan within 2 days and released the LPO to the dealer on the 3rd day and on the same evening, the car was ready to be delivered! By the way, it was a night before Valentine and it was an unplanned Valentine's present to my beloved wife. Delivery experience was quite normal & I did not have any huge expectations either.

History of the 3008:

Peugeot unveiled the 1st gen 3008 in the year 2008 and launched it in April 2009. The car was decent, though would not win any prizes in the styling department.





They did facelift the car a few years later, but that did nothing to improve the dull styling.





Finally, they launched the 2nd generation in 2017, which was praised by many motoring journalists and won many awards by international publications.

As one reviewer stated -

Earlier, people bought the 3008 inspite of it's styling
Now, people buy the 3008 because of it's styling

Personally, I think Peugeot (like Kia) has made a big stride in the quality and design of their cars in the last 3 years.

[raj_5004]

Specifications & Features

Engine:
1.6 ltr Turbo - Inline Four
Front Wheel Drive
165 bhp
240 Nm
6 speed A/T

Features:
Peugeot i-Cockpit (Fancy name for LCD instrument cluster)
Front and Side Airbags
17" alloys
Speed Limiter
Cruise Control
Keyless Entry and go (Push button start)
Automatic dimming IRVM

[raj_5004]

Exterior:

Even though styling is highly subjective, I think 3008 is quite a looker, especially the GT line variant. In the base Active trim, the dull alloys are the sore point, but apart from some chrome bits and these alloys, there is nothing much to differentiate the GT line from the Active variant.

Even this base variant IMHO looks way better than the Kia Sportage and Ford Escape. The Hyundai Tucson looks classy and is the only competitor in the looks department. I especially love the sloping roofline of the 3008 as well as the LED tail lights. While Mahindra was inspired by the Cheetah, Peugeot has taken inspiration from the Lion, and the tail lamps are supposed to mimic the claws of the Tiger. Looks cool nevertheless!

Even the Active gets DRLs, albeit slightly different from the GT Line. The grille is very crisply detailed. The vehicle is not at all imposing on the road, especially not on UAE roads, but the styling has a specific tautness and European chicness to it, which separates it from it's competitors.

The car looks handsome in black


Sloping bonnet does not give it an imposing road presence


These kind of intricate grille designs are the "in" thing now!


The headlights and fog light housing have the same design


Typically a weak point in crossovers, the rear styling is the strongest link in 3008's styling


Rear quarter is the best view in my opinion



Lion claw inspired tail lights, looks very chic at night


The boring alloys, the sore point in exterior styling
Top end (GT Line) gets fantastic 18 inchers though


The 3008 has an 'Infinity' symbol in it


The chrome line and pillar-less look is very trendy

[raj_5004]

Interior:

The highlight of the 3008. Any preconceived notions about the base spec exterior is vanished as soon as one steps into the interior.

Of course, the lack of leather & electric seats are a dead giveaway, but the cabin does not feel basic or lackluster in any way.

The design of the cabin is unique and splendid. The materials used are top notch and all the touch points are covered in soft touch materials. I can confidently go to the extent of claiming that the cabin of the 3008 feels more premium than my Chrysler 300S (not that the Chrysler is a decent benchmark for cabin quality!).

I have noticed quite a few points which are unique to the 3008's cabin:

• Full LCD instrument cluster
• The Denim type cloth trim used on the door panels (soft touch)
• BMW style triptronic gear lever
• Electronic parking brake
• Table style infotainment
• Piano keys to be used as shortcuts for infotainment

The cabin is quite plush, surprisingly! The seats are wide and comfortable. The driving position has been criticized a lot in some reviews, especially for taller folks. I am 6'2" and while it does take time to get adjusted to the low set and small steering wheel, it is quite a joy to use once you are accustomed to it.

Rear seats have decent legroom and is wide enough for 3 adults and has a flat floor. Even the boot space is huge and Peugeot has included two levers in the boot which can be used to fold down the rear seats.

The driver's cockpit


The funky dashboard


The centre console


The controversial tiny steering wheel


The storage cubby split opens!


The front door, notice the play of materials... denim and carbon fibre pattern


The start stop button is on the centre console and not on the dashboard


The stubby gear lever, notice the separate buttons for Park and Manual mode


Electronic parking brake and Sports mode




The LCD instrument console


The piano keys which serve as shortcut keys for primary functions of the infotainment


The cruise control & speed limited stalk (has memory settings too)


Paddle shifters (uniquely, only the chrome portion moves)


The roof lights and seat belt warning (all 5 passengers)


Side Airbags are standard even in the base variant


Rear door child lock is just a switch on the dashboard, very convenient


Rear door has similar design


Rear seat legroom for myself (6.2 ft) with driver's seat set to my position (manageable)


Rear AC vents



Rear Seat space


The boot with 2nd row up


The boot with 2nd row down

[raj_5004]

In-Car Entertainment:

The 3008 comes with the same size touchscreen infotainment for all variants, but the features vary depending on the variant.

In the Active we get -

• Single zone AC
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity for music and telephone
• Memory settings for speed limiter and cruise control
• Voice commands

The GT line gets the following features over the Active -

• Dual zone AC
• Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Navigation
• In-built car perfume
• Ambient Lighting

AC controls


Radio


Vehicle settings

[raj_5004]

Driving the 1.6L Turbo Petrol AT:

On paper, the 1.6 lt engine looks puny and insufficient. Even though it is a turbo, it hardly makes 165 bhp, which is not really enough for a 2 ton crossover.

But to be fair, the 3008 displays on how a good engine and gearbox tuning can give a pseudo peppy feeling to the vehicle.

While the Fusion with a 2.5 motor and more power felt lethargic, I was very pleasantly surprised at how easily and seamlessly the 1.6T copes up with Dubai traffic and speeds. Even with 5 people on board, the engine does not feel strained and actually feels faster than the Fusion.

Of course, it is not a tarmac scorcher like my 300S with it's 5.7 Hemi, but this little UV feels very fun to drive as long as you drive it with light to medium heavy foot. While the 300S feels like a Rhino (heavy and fast), the 3008 feels like an over enthusiastic puppy, always ready to jump at the tap of the throttle.

It does have a Sport mode, which basically holds on a gear longer, but that does not translate much in real world acceleration. The claimed 0-100 kmph is 8.9 seconds, but the peppy nature of the engine means the car feels much faster than it actually is!

Coming to the refinement, it is an incredible upgrade over the Fusion. Whoever has driven this car, the first thing they have mentioned is the engine refinement. Even on the move, the motor is barely audible, unless you are revving it hard.

The A/T is smooth shifting, but nowhere fast as compared to modern DSGs. Not a deal breaker at all for a family crossover. I really like the BMW style gear lever function. It looks cool and is easy to operate, when you get used to it! The park mode is a mere tap of the button on top of the lever. The manual mode has another button on the base of the gear lever, which enables you to use the steering paddles.

All in all, a very fun to drive crossover this is.

[raj_5004]

Ride & Handling:

The Active variant comes with 17" tyres on tall tyres with an aspect ratio of 65. This really aids in the ride comfort.

UAE roads are great but you do have the occasional rumble strips and pedestrian crossings. The suspension setup is not soft, hence the car does not bounce around and has a very European feel ride to it. Due to the tall sidewall, the ride feels very pliant at slow speeds.

The steering feedback of the Fusion was perfect! The 3008 comes nowhere close. The steering setup is very soft at low speeds but thankfully picks up firmness at high speeds and hence the car does not feel floaty or wallowy on the expressways.

Soft steering coupled with the small diameter steering makes this car a joy to drive in traffic and on small roads. Body roll is very well controlled at high speeds and the car feels almost like the Ford Escape.

To summarize, I am very happy with the ride and handling balance. Not just in comparison to other UVs, but even in comparison to other sedans.

[raj_5004]

Other points:

• My car is in warranty for another 3 years / 50,000 kms, so reliability related concerns is not my biggest worry
• For a decently well equipped car, the 3008 does not have a reverse camera!
• Android Auto could have been included in the base variant, since it essentially has the same infotainment
• Push start button needs a long press (~ 2 seconds) to switch on or switch off the engine
• There is no dedicated sunglass holder near the IRVM
• There is a switch to the left of the steering to activate child lock for the rear doors, no need to fumble with the mechanism on the door itself
• If the car is in gear and any door is opened, a scary warning chime plays continuously
• Driver can monitor if all the passengers are buckled up through the tiny screen next to the IRVM. All seats have weight sensors. If front seat passengers are not buckled and if the car is driven, you get a warning chime. For rear passengers who prefer not to buckle up, the car displays a red warning LED for 5 seconds and then goes off

[raj_5004]

Comparison to the Ford Fusion:

Advantage Fusion -

1. Even though the 3008 looks great for a crossover, the Fusion has a charm and American masculinity, which is hard to beat.
2. The Fusion was loaded - electric and memory seats, dual zone AC, heated seats, reverse camera, sunroof, TPMS and the likes.
3. Ride and handling of the Fusion was top notch, especially the steering feedback.
4. The after sales experience of the Ford dealer in UAE is outstanding.
5. Brand value of Ford is much superior to Peugeot.

Advantage 3008 -

1. High seating position, cabin space and enormous seats.
2. Easier to fit in 5 people!
3. Funky dashboard styling makes the interior looks premium.
4. Quality of materials and feel good factor in the cabin.
5. Enormous boot space.
6. Easier to drive due to the refined and peppy engine, better visibility and high ground clearance.

[Sheel]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Congrats! The 3008 in black will go well with your badass 300S!

You're right about the crossover being praised by many international motoring journalists. In fact, haven't heard any other French car being compared as the segment-benchmark, consistently in so many reviews!

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Congrats! The 3008 in black will go well with your badass 300S!

Thanks!

You're right about the crossover being praised by many international motoring journalists. In fact, haven't heard any other French car being compared as the segment-benchmark, consistently in so many reviews!

Coming to think of it, the 3008 is the only vehicle in the Peugeot line up which has received so many accolades. None of the other cars have been given a second look, except maybe the 508. I was drooling over the 508 during my visit to the Peugeot showroom -

[ChiragM]

It was back in 2017 when I was at the Geneva Motor Show when news broke that the 3008 had won the Car of the Year 2017. I was surprised and a bit shocked at that and made sure I had a look at the car. Couldn't spend much time with the 3008 as I was covering the event and (honestly), I wasn't interested.

I must have a few pics of the car from the event but there's nothing on my phone right so will need to check and upload later.

As you have said, Peugeots have moved on from the ugly cars they used to make a decade back to desirable ones, the new 208 and the 208 GTi for example, and even cars from their sister brands Citroen and DS.

just like any other French car, lots of quirkiness in the 3008 (check out the placement of the jack in the Renault Triber). The placement of the start/stop button for example. Must say, I did not like the 2-spoke steering wheel. With Citroen entering India soon, would be great to see some good looking PSA cars here.