Electric Peugeot 3008 could become the crossover of choice

If you like the cut of the stylish new Peugeot 3008 crossover, you’ll need a pretty good excuse not to go for the electric one, badged the E-3008. The entry-level version – not that there’s what might be called a ‘bargain basement’ option to be seen – is actually €30 more affordable to buy than the equivalently equipped petrol model. And despite being cheaper to tax and fuel, the electric vehicle (EV) is more powerful too. So is there a catch?

Exterior design and image

Regardless of what’s under the bonnet, the 2024 Peugeot 3008 is undoubtedly a good-looking car, banishing bad memories of the original with its angry hamster aesthetic. The French company reinvented its best-seller for this third outing, redefining the 3008 as a “coupé-SUV”, which explains the notably swooping rear window truncated in the upright back end.

And while its sporty profile grabs attention, the detailing of the car keeps it. At the trailing edge of the roof are what can only be described as cat-ear-shaped sections on the spoiler, while the feline theme continues to the front where the upright LED lighting is designed to call to mind the claw marks of a lion. Even the stylised alloy wheels are a talking point. As a whole, the 3008 looks compact and thoroughly modern.

Interior and practicality

Cleverly, the exterior design hides a five-seat cabin that’s no smaller than its predecessor’s, which means it compares favourably with other crossovers of the same size and price – and there are plenty of them vying for buyers’ attention. The available room won’t be the first thing you’ll notice on pulling open the door of the 3008 as Peugeot gave its interior designers as much freedom as it did those that penned the outside.

A classy mix of materials raises the bar for the brand, using tactile fabrics alongside more traditional leather to give the 3008’s cabin a high-quality feel. The layout is unusual, however, as the digital instruments are viewed above a compact, flattened steering wheel – with a chunky rim to grab hold of – rather than through it as is the case in most other cars. That instrumentation is incorporated within a single wide display that also features a touchscreen in the middle. At night, the backlighting creates an especially impressive effect, making the entire display appear as though it is floating above the fascia below. Those that worry about reliance on a touchscreen will approve of the customisable menu bar in the middle of the car Peugeot has christened the “i-Toggles”.

The front-seat passenger and driver are kept apart by a wide centre console that looks like something straight off a designer’s sketchpad. It works in practice too with driving controls on the upper level and a considerable amount of storage underneath.

A large boot – holding 520 litres – complements this practicality and, though the rear door openings aren’t the biggest in the sector, there’s loads of rear seat space for average-sized adults, teenagers, or even a couple of bulky rear-facing child seats.

Price and electric range

After all government incentives, the E-3008 starts at €43,965 in Allure specification, which is comprehensively well-equipped by any measure and, as mentioned, a fraction less expensive than the 1.2-litre petrol alternative. Those that want to amp up the style a little more can opt for the GT model, at €49,795, but it’s worth noting that, at this point, the petrol model is more affordable, due to the vagaries of the electric car grant scheme.

The E-3008 uses a 73kWh battery for an official range of up to 527 kilometres. As ever, how close you get to that will depend on your driving style, how loaded up the car is, the speed you’re driving at and the ambient temperature. We expect most owners would exceed 420 kilometres reliably in all conditions and the E-3008 can take on charge at a suitably powerful public DC charger at up to 160kW.

Peugeot has announced that another version of the E-3008 is on the way with an electric range of up to 700 kilometres thanks to a larger battery pack, though pricing for that has yet to be confirmed.

On the road

The Peugeot E-3008 makes it easy to cover long distances as the controls are light and it’s a comfortable and relaxing car to drive. The curvy styling isn’t only for appearances, but also to reduce drag as the car drives along. That benefits the electric range, of course, but it also reduces wind roar over the car, and it’s notably quiet. Eerily so around town.

It has effortless performance, too, though those looking for very fast acceleration may be disappointed to discover that Peugeot has calibrated the E-3008 for smooth accrual of speed instead. It has ample go by any measure, with 214hp and 345Nm of torque produced by the front-axle electric motor. Indeed, in damp conditions it can easily spin a front wheel if you’re a little heavy with your right foot, but the performance is smooth and manageable  otherwise.

Petrol or electric?

The world is still in the early stages of adopting electric cars so there are thousands of buyers right now wondering whether it’s the right time for them to make the switch. About the only reason not to choose the E-3008 over its electric sibling is a reticence or inability to have a home EV charger fitted. For everyone else that has decided the Peugeot 3008 is the crossover of choice for them, electric power is clearly the way forward.

Specs for Peugeot E-3008 Allure