Twin-Test: Peugeot 3008 & 5008 – Fancy A French Twist To The Crossover SUV?

Now under new custodians Bermaz Auto Alliance (BAuto), the mighty French silver lion brand that is Peugeot seems to be in good hands. Presently, the firm only offers three crossover SUVs for the market, but perhaps we’ll see the range grow soon to include its signature hatchbacks and saloons.

Of the three, we’ve recently hit the road with the 3008 and 5008 twins to see how they stack up against key segment rivals. Having undergone a refresh back in 2021, both these models offer Malaysians a uniquely French take on the crossover SUV genre.

Having spent a few days behind the wheels of both, we’re certain that prospective buyers who seek something a little different from the usual Japanese and German suspects have plenty to look forward to.

Both the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 are indeed mirror images of each other up front.

OVERVIEW

Though locally assembled by parent company Stellantis in Gurun, Kedah, there’s no hiding the distinctively French styling in both the 3008 and 5008. Prominent touches seen in both include the front grilles flanked by distinct LED headlights and DRLs, the latter forming ‘fangs’ up front, not forgetting an assortment of shiny chrome trimmings too.

Also shared between the two are the stylish 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels they roll on which in our opinion, contrasted well against our 3008 and 5008 testers' respective ‘Cuprite Brown’ and ‘Amazonite Grey’ paintworks.

Differing derrieres aside, it's worth noting that the 5008 is indeed slightly taller and wider on top of being longer a 4,670 MM.

Key similarities include the front grille, LED headlights and DRLs, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as the 'claw' mark LED taillights.

Aptly, both cars are mirror images of each other up front, almost hiding the fact that the 5008 being 5 MM wider (1,855 MM) and 27 MM taller. The real difference comes at the rear ends, with the 3008 getting a sportier look compared to the 5008’s squared derriere. The only common theme here are the LED taillights sporting three stripes – or ‘claw’ marks, if you will.

As far as styling goes, we’re certain many of you will agree that the French are arguably amongst the best at it, and not just towards clothes and handbags either. Both these crossovers have proven so, whilst also retaining some slight ruggedness in their stances still. And the same can be said with the way both are styled on the inside too…

ON THE INSIDE

On board, both the 3008 and 5008 mirror each other once more up front, which is where Peugeot’s novel ‘i-Cockpit’ design concept comes into view. Key traits here are the aviation-inspired switchgear, digital interactive instrument and infotainment displays, novel cabin ambient lighting, as well as the unique squared and ‘compact’ steering wheel design.

A Peugeot' 'i-Cockpit' signature is the compact and squared steering wheel design which does take some getting used to.

Other key 'i-Cockpit' design traits include the aviation-inspired switchgear and selector lever, fabric trims, as well as the interactive digital gauge cluster.

These get accompanied with a dash of glossy piano black and shiny aluminium trims and accents, followed by the novel use of fabric inlays, all of which coming on top of plush leather covering both the seats and key touchpoints. Evidently, all of these, plus the massive glass sunroofs, do well at giving both crossovers a true up-market look and feel inside.

Another common kit in both the 3008 and 5008 crossover twins is the presence of a powered tailgate as standard.

Novel cabin ambient lighting really shines at night, and it also includes Peugeot-branded puddle lights.

Should space be a priority, then the 5008 stands as a prime choice. Keep those third-row seats folded, which is better suited for children anyways, and 5008 offers a massive 952-litre boot. This can be expanded to a whopping 2,150-litre state with the second-row seats folded, thus making annual IKEA trips a breeze. Adding to this is the convenient powered tailgate feature primed as standard.

Of course, these space-enabled perks are expected of any 7-seater like the 5008, but it doesn’t make the smaller 3008 any less practical. In fact, it offers a class-leading 591-litre space with the second-row seats still up, boasting a nifty powered tailgate as standard kit here too.

Massive glass sunroof is yet another hallmark of luxury to both these posh cabins.

Whilst the third-row seats do feel cramped for most adults, at least the 5008 offers independently controllable rear air-conditioning plus second-row seats that can both slide forwards and back as well as recline.

With the 5008 though, it arguably also offers greater second-row comforts over the 3008. In fact, the 7-seater’s second-row seats can both recline and slide forwards and back, whereas the rear air-cond vents can be independently controlled too - in the 3008, both these features are fixed.

Nevertheless, no matter which you choose, we’re certain that both the real estate and level of luxuries are respectable to say the least. Our only gripes with the innards of both lay in the centre infotainment touchscreen’s apparent lack in resolution, especially with its reverse camera display - a rather disappointing feat indeed, especially at these price points.

DRIVING

As far as drive dynamics go, both these Peugeot crossovers are very respectable on this front too. Much of this stems from the powertrain both models share, which consists of a 1.6-litre THP 4-cyl turbo mill paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the former serving up 165 HP and 240 NM to drive the front wheels via the latter.

While not the quickest in segment, both the 3008 and 5008 stand rapid enough to keep up with the bulk of its rivals well, but we reckon the unmistakable European ride and handling will impress most prospects. It arguably feels as well-planted, balanced and refined as its nearest German rival on this front in fact.

Matching the peppy 1.6-litre THP 4-cyl turbo hearts is a nifty multi-terrain drive mode selector plus hill-descent control, thus granting both the 3008 and 5008 slight off-roading capabilities.

Adding to which are both the cabin’s high noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) suppression levels, and the soft, supple suspension tuning that both possess. Altogether, these traits make for crossovers that are both engaging to drive and very sublime to be driven in. Of course, that’s not all.

Despite their front-wheel-drive (FWD) nature, both the 3008 and 5008 can still tackle the unbeaten path, albeit to a certain degree. Enabling this besides their lifted ride-heights and ground clearances is the presence of both a multi-terrain drive model selector and a hill-descent control suite.

Clearly, this is a reflection of how crossover SUVs as such are typically used, especially in the outskirts of the Peugeot brand’s homeland of France where the roads are hilly, twisty and, sometimes, somewhat unpaved. Whilst we reckon most Malaysians won’t be trekking off the pavement much in either, having the ability to do so is indeed a plus.

That aside, we’re certain there’s little to loathe on this front in either the 3008 and 5008. However, depending on which side of the semi-autonomous driving fence you're in, what we’ve got to say on the next front could either be good or bad news…

Blind-spot monitor and warning is also standard across both, along with lane-departure warning (LDW) and lane-keeping assist (LKAS).

SAFETY

Active and semi-autonomous driving assist tech has indeed reached its peak now, but you won’t find too much of which in either of these French offerings. We’ll break the bad news first by highlighting what’s absent in both, those being adaptive cruise control (ACC), as wella s both forward collision warning (FCW) and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

What’s present though are a blind-spot monitor (BSM), as well as both lane-departure warning (LDW) and -keeping assist (LKAS). These, by the way, come on top of core basics such as six airbags, ISOFIX childseat anchors, not forgetting ABS with EBS plus traction (TCS) and stability (ESP) control suites.

The central infotainment displays in both do lack resolution and a rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) function.

At least they operate swiftly and offer both Apple and Android smartphone connectivity.

Whilst it isn’t wrong to call either the 3008 and 5008 slightly under-specced on this front, they are far from bare to say the least. As noted, how anyone receives this is largely based on preference, given that more and more drivers today have opined that such systems do feel a tad intrusive against their driving habits.

For us though, we’re just glad the basics are covered well, and there are at least some advanced assistive technologies present instead of none at all. But given the price both command, perhaps this is one area where both these Peugeot crossovers will leave many wanting just a little more…

RUNNING COSTS AND RELIABILITY

Speak with any past Peugeot owners and you’ll often hear how many loathed the after-sales service. Much of this likely stems from how the brand was managed by its previous distributors instead of the widely spread ‘myth’ that all French cars - not just Peugeots - are grossly unreliable and costly to run in our climate.

Fortunately, it seems BAuto has a better mastery of things on this front. We say this simply on the grounds of the firm’s offer of both a 5-year or 100,000 KM warranty and free maintenance. Though such coverages are somewhat expected, perhaps the near-stellar track record in caring for the Mazda brand by BAuto’s parent company Bermaz should instil greater confidence.

Additionally, whilst the claimed 7 litres/100 KM fuel economy averages both the 3008 and 5008 boasts are respectable, we were able to do better during our test. This comes despite us putting in the least effort to hypermile whilst traversing across a mix of urban and highway driving - we garnered 6.7 litres/100 KM in the 3008, in fact.

In other words, getting nothing less than 600 KM with each full-fill up in either isn’t just possible, it’s also very easy, and one doesn’t necessarily need to hypermile to attain such efficiency in either. Simply put, should you drive either right and be a little more disciplined with servicing, long-term ownership and running costs are indeed fuss-free and efficient.

SHOULD YOU BUY EITHER?

We’ll agree that, at RM170,288 and RM186,288 respectively, both the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 aren’t bargains to say the least. Despite foraging into a hotly contested segment dominated by key rivals like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and VW Tiguan Allspace, both these cars indeed have enough to stand-out and sway plenty into their respective favours.

Adding to that is BAuto’s promise of a fuss-free ownership experience that won’t break the bank all too often too. We’re certainly sold on said dream and, surely, those brave enough to venture this far into the segment’s left-field will be rewarded with crossovers that are best described as very ‘je ne sais quoi’. Would you folks agree? Oui? Non?

SPECIFICATIONS