Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 99g 5dr Pre-Model Car Review - February 2012

The light steering means that the 3008 is nippy and agile in the city streets, but this lightness is carried through at higher speeds, meaning that it can feel a little too light at speed. There is plenty of grip, but the car does lean significantly through the corners, and the ride at lower speeds can be a little firm and bumpy. The large front windscreen means that driver visibility is good, but drivers will find the stereo to be a little impractical and a bit of a stretch from the driver’s seat.

The engine performance for this 3008 is probably one of the most impressive things about the car, and despite its green credentials it is also quite competitive. The acceleration from 0-62mph is a brisk 9.1 seconds, and the top speed of 118mph means that it is a car that will be comfortable being driven at speed.

The large and distinctive front grille and air intake is flanked by the foglights, with the headlights slightly above, giving the front end of the 3008 an unusual look. The body is a little squarer than the average hatchback, which is the case with almost all MPVs, The boot door has been practically designed allowing for easy access. Inside the cabin, the centre console is imposing, stretching back between the driver and front seat passenger, and this is certainly a pleasing look.

For this kind of price it is fair to say that people will expect a few luxuries, but there aren’t as many as you might imagine. The car is delivered with a hands free kit and Bluetooth connectivity, along with climate control. Alloy wheels are also included as standard, and the stereo actually comes with a DVD player and a hard drive, which is very impressive. However, satellite navigation os a £1465 option.

There is no doubt that the 3008 has been designed with practicality in mind, and space in the front and rear seats is good. A large boot and folding seats also adds to the practicality of the 3008. Reliability has been good so far, although the model has only been on the market since 2009.

In terms of the safety of the car, it has achieved the top award of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. It has an array of airbags should a collision actually take place, and the usual driver aids such as traction control and ESP to try and ensure the collision doesn’t happen in the first place.

This is probably one of the most difficult categories to judge, because those looking at the list price for this car may recoil in horror. Retailing at £26,995, there is no doubt that this hybrid engine is a big investment in the future, but people will find that these costs are eventually recouped.

The superb fuel efficiency of the hybrid engine is very impressive, delivering an average 74.3mpg. The low carbon emissions means that Road Tax will be free. This version hasn’t been in production long enough to see how resale values will hold up, but the insurance group is quite high, meaning that premiums won’t be the cheapest on the market. Finally, the three year warranty and one year roadside breakdown cover is quite typical of cars in this class.