Peugeot e-3008 brings 326 miles of range for £45,850

This model can go from 0-62mph in 6.4sec. Great focus has been placed on making the e-3008 as efficient as it can be, through not only aerodynamic work that allows for a drag coefficient of 0.28 but also a new heat pump, cooling system, steering, tyres and friction-reducing bearings. 

The result is that Peugeot’s new crossover claims best-in-class efficiency of 4.5 miles per kWh for the entry-level version. The maximum charging speed of the e-3008 is 160kW, giving a 20-80% charge in 30 minutes and a charging rate of 2.4kWh per minute at its peak. 

The new e-3008 is marginally larger than the car it replaces, at 4542mm long, 1895mm wide and 1641mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2739mm. But the new proportions with shortened overhangs and the coupé-esque roof make the e-3008 appear more compact than it actually is. 

The EV weighs from 2114kg in entry-level form, around 500kg of which comes from the battery pack. A raft of new design flourishes rounds off the visual transformation, including an evolution of Peugeot’s three-light signature at the front and rear, the 3008 model name displayed on the front, internally mounted window seals on the glasshouse and a floating spoiler at the rear. 

The hybrid, meanwhile, pairs a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 21bhp electric motor and a 48V electric motor for a combined output of 134bhp.

Inside, the latest version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit introduces a 21.0in curved LED screen for higher-trim cars that doubles as a driver display and central infotainment. 

As standard, the e-3008 gets two separate 10.0in displays. The new-look steering wheel hosts a revised array of physical controls, and on the centre console is a row of 10 customisable shortcut touchscreen buttons called ‘i-Toggles’, which can be tailored to very specific functions – such as reserving one for calling a specific person on your phone. 

No chrome is used on the car, with the trim inside mixing fabrics and aluminium. The new suspension promises a blend of comfort and “dynamic roadholding”.

There are three stages of regenerative braking and three different driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – with a fourth 4WD mode added on twin-motor versions, which Stellantis says works for full off-road applications.

Two trim levels will be offered – Allure and GT – and Peugeot expects a 60:40 sales split between the two. 

Allure gets 19in alloys and GT 20in alloys as well as the 21.0in screen for the interior and Alcantara seats – and each trim can be specified with a choice of three option packs.

The Allure hybrid will initially be the cheapest 3008, priced from £34,650. The e-3008 starts from £45,850. Upgrading to GT trim costs an additional £3500 for the hybrid and an extra £3800 for the EV.

UK deliveries of the e-3008 – built again in Sochaux, France – will begin in February 2024.

Q&A with Matthias Hossann, Peugeot design director 

How did you look to evolve the new 3008 from today’s? 

“The second-generation 3008 still looks good but the switch to EV changed our thinking. We have the fastback silhouette. We surveyed our customers and this silhouette is attractive to them. An SUV silhouette is challenging with EVs, and this silhouette is based on what we started with the 408. It’s good for efficiency and helps with engineering challenges.” 

Is it hard to replace a car that’s been so successful? 

“It’s difficult to replace successful cars and sometimes you can look to not change anything. That would be a risk, so we rethought the car again from scratch, but there are some reminders [to the current 3008] in some of the details.” 

Did you draw inspiration from the Inception concept? 

“When you do a concept car, it’s a laboratory for new designs and experiences. We started e-3008 before Inception but they have plenty in common: sleek and with a simple design language and with common light signatures. We reinvented the i-Cockpit too. Inception shows the next-generation EV design direction and this is the first of those cars.