PEUGEOT really have sharpened up the styling cues for the new 3008 and 5008 GT-Line SUV, with an ‘on-point’ look that features a dynamic front end, and striking rear end. On the European design from the French manufacturer, we would say ‘magnifique’.
This SUV’s design displays a strong yet elegant presence, coupled with the luxurious interior, including the optional, beautifully crafted, Nappa black leather upholstery and sensational panoramic glass sunroof. With the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, you drive in style.
Both come with a four cylinder 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine producing 121kW and 240Nm of torque from the petrol four banger, mated to an automatic transmission. It features quick shift technology, providing butter smooth gear changes.
Sports mode provides improved performance and acceleration response, although it also engages an artificial exhaust note that sounds rather obnoxious in this reviewer’s subjective opinion.
The 3008 GT-Line is lovely to drive, and we really enjoyed our country road trip out to Orange via Bathurst. Whether you’re driving it in the city or further afield, it handles well, and feels balanced on the road. The suspension has been tuned for Australia.
The 5008 GT-Line, by contrast, headed to Bowral and the NSW South Coast, where it performed admirably across a raft of testing environments, including gravel and narrow, poorly maintained, country roads.
Steering is good across the board, and we particularly enjoyed the redesigned steering wheel that felt really nice in the hand.
From a capability standpoint, the Peugeot 3008 GT-Line feels laggy at the lower end of the RPM range when you stand on the gas off the mark. That is until it winds out and then you feel it want to pull away as it gets up and goes.
That issue introduces a small conundrum though, in that we think the additional power the turbo diesel 3008 GT variant produces will provide the extra low end pulling power missing from the GT-Line model.
The same situation exists for the 5008 GT-Line.
The interior is great, with plenty of space up front. It provides comfort for rear passengers with air vents in the back, and taller passengers have plenty of head space with adjustable headrests.
The size of the boot in the 3008 GT-Line is to be commended with 591-litres with the rear seats up, and a whopping 1670-litres with the modular back seats down, which are class leading storage capacities.
In the case of the 5008 GT-Line, there’s an extra two seats up the back. They’re great for small humans, and the one we test with loved the space, but they’re not really adult friendly. But there’s something uber cool about the rear load space.
With the third row down, you get 952-litres. Those back seats way just 11kg each, and can actually be removed to increase that load space to 1060-litres. Fold the second row flat and this increases the load space to a truly cavernous 2,150-litres.
And for extra long loads, simply fold the front passenger seat flat to increase the load length to 3.2 metres.
We loved the technology across both models in the iCockpit too. Its features include an integrated 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia display and customisable 12.3-inch instrument cluster.
The infotainment system is not overly driver-centric though, and there’s a bit of lag. That said, the 3D navigation deserves its own special mention, as it’s a cut above the rest, and we found the on screen display along with the voice navigation to be excellent.
The only other downside to the system is the satin chrome toggle switches that operate the control functions for the multimedia display. They look great, and have a real aviation flair, but in reality they’re not overly functional.
The problem is, you need to take your eyes off the road to operate them. And as an added bonus, the same satin chrome finish is pretty much everywhere. That’s great too, until the sun, or bright fluorescent tunnel lighting hits it. So shiny.
On the plus side, the inclusion of ambient lighting through the door panels, footwells and within the storage cubbies and cupholders is practical and makes for a great mood setter once the sun goes down, which is when you’ll see it really shines.
Of course, you will find there is a list of technology and safety features as long as your arm, and some of those include Bluetooth, DAB+ radio, Apple CarPlay and Android auto, a 360-degree birds eye camera view, and emergency brake assist.
There’s also an electronic stability program, distance alert system, drivers attention and lane departure alert system, active lane keep assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2021 Peugeot 3008 GT-Line has a maximum braked towing weight of 1550kg, and comes with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and 5-years roadside assistance, for added piece of mind. Disappointingly, the 5008 GT-Line has just 1350kg towing capacity.
The 3008 GT-Line is available in sensational euro designed colours like Hurricane Grey, Nera Black, Ultimate Red, Platinum Grey, Amazonite Grey, Magnetic Blue, Metallic Copper (as tested), and Pearl White.
The 5008 GT-Line adds Emerald Green but drops Magnetic Blue and Metallic Copper.
The 2021 3008 GT-Line is available from $49,990 drive away. Our test vehicle included optional Nappa leather seating, a panoramic sunroof and Metallic Copper paint. In this form, it’s priced from $50,680 (drive away).
Pricing for the 5008 GT-Line starts at $51,990 plus on-roads, but it can presently be had for $55,990 with a panoramic sunroof and Nappa leather.
Our 2021 Peugeot 3008 GT-Line and 5008 GT-Line were supplied by Peugeot Australia. To find out more, contact you nearest Peugeot dealer.
Overall, a fair review. However Scott seems to struggle to find negatives by citing “overly shiny satin chrome toggle switches when hit by light” which you have “to take your eyes off the road to operate”.
I have no shiny light chrome issues with my 3008 and most people do take their eyes off the road to operate dash switches like in my other car, a Mazda.
A better actual negative that he missed altogether is the tiny, almost useless glovebox which for RHD markets houses the interior fuse box.