The 2022 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Plugin Crossover SUV review in the UAE
The Peugeot launched the 1st Peugeot 3008 in 2008. And, it has come a long way since the model has changed its looks, styling, and more power. It is just like an ugly duckling compact crossover SUV changing into a beautiful swan.
I got the compact SUV from the Swaidan Motors of Al Naboodah Enterprise in Al Quoz Dubai for the weekend ride.
For the testing and review of the car, I decided to make a trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai for the weekend and try out all the features and safety factors which this compact crossover SUV can provide.
The vehicle comes with a 1.6 Liter Turbo internal combustion engine which produces max power of 200 Horsepower. It also has two electric motors which provide 100 Horse Power. Overall with an 8-speed automatic transmission produces 300 Newton meters of torque.
The battery has a capacity of 13.2KWh and is for a 100% electric driving range of up to 45 KM. And combined with the ICE powertrain the 3008 PHEV promises fuel economy averaging 60 kilometers/liter.
How can this happen 60 K/Litre?
As this is a Hybrid 4 Plugin version, the crossover SUV uses electric power at low RPM and on higher acceleration and speed switches to fuel. And on especially on constant high speed as I drove at 115 Km/P, the built-in computer, controls the fuel efficiency and switches to electric to support constant speed and again goes back to internal combustion engine for more power and speed. The two electric motors which are in-front and rear wheelbase are controlled by the motherboard to drive the car and give an additional boost when required and reduce the load on the combustion engine and save fuel.
When I had drained the electric battery, the compact SUV switched to a combustion engine and only felt a very little vibration on the pedal. While driving the electric dynamo in the SUV would be charging the batteries and would be using the little charged battery during the long drive. When I was braking, it would be charging the battery.
There are options to drive in Electric mode, Hybrid Mode, and Sports Mode.
On Electric mode, you get only around 45Km. On hybrid mode, nothing to worry about, go on driving for a very long distance and Sport mode you will have the combination again of electric and fuel engine but more responsive and provide combined power of 300 Horsepower. The Compact SUV comes with a 45 Litre tank.
While driving, if you would like to charge the battery faster, you can go the setting on the screen and drive on fuel and this allows you to recharge the battery get charged while driving.
The 2022 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Plugin Crossover SUV can be charged just like an electric car. The SUV is equipped with a battery charging port on the left side and you have the fuel cap on the left side of the SUV. Peugeot provides 2 types of charging cable, one cable unit by which you can charge the SUV via your home electrical socket. And, the second cable comes with fast charging facility which can be used on certain fast-charging points.
Let us talk about the exterior of the car.
The 2022 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Plugin Crossover SUV comes with the dimension of 4.447 x 1.841 x 1.623 Meters. It has 5 doors which include the rear automatic hatch door. It has 2 front seating and 3 seating at the rear which can be changed to 2 rear seating with hand rest pulled down between the passengers.
The SUV comes with 1.670 litres of booth space and can be opened or closed automatically with a leg while using the sensor placed below the bumper. Also, it can be opened via a button near the driver seat or a button on the rear door and closed with the button on the inside of the rear door.
The SUV comes with a button-operated panoramic sunroof and the front side can be opened to let the fresh air in while you are cruising in.
The 2022 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Plugin Crossover SUV comes with a 0new 3 dimensional LED light cluster and with running orange LED lights for blinkers.
On the front we have a new grille design which comes with piano finish black with steel looks and the black lines are extended outwards going almost to the front of the SUV. In the center of the grille, you have the Peugeot logo on steel finish and model number 3008 above the grille. The headlight cluster is merged along the body line and has power cool white LED lights which are controlled by the computer. So during the night travel, the LED light throw distance adjusts itself giving safer travel.
The front also has a wide camera which is part of the 360 degrees cameras that are fitted around the SUV.
The front white bumper has the Active Safety Brake sensor in the center with 2 additional safety side sensors which help in Lane Keeping Assist and also while parking the SUV.
I liked the additional light switch on the headlight cluster which add better visibility during turns and I could see the side view light up even before I was taking a turn.
The body design is aerodynamic and lines are clear and edges are rounded which gives nice classic touch. The side mirrors open up when you use the keyless entry remote to enter the SUV. The side mirrors also have cameras which are part of the 360-degree camera system, it also has a Peugeot logo projection on both of the mirrors which can be seen when you open the door during the night. The Mirrors also have blind spot indicators. And, during the reverse parking, the mirror tilts a little down for a better view on the bottom side.
The 2022 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Plugin Crossover SUV comes with 18 inches Dual Tone Alloy wheels with all four-wheel disc brakes.
Talking about the interior of the SUV, it is Plush, stylish. Once you open the driver’s door you will find the latest Technological advanced driving system.
The PEUGEOT’s innovative iCockpit system
The most important part of the review is PEUGEOT’s innovative iCockpit system. It includes a compact steering wheel for better handling and grip, a 10-inch HD touch screen, as well as a digital head-up display. While driving, the head-up display was pleasing with various options that can be used.
Like driving display mode, where I could see the lane assist and with the sensor, showing the display of graphic car in front of you. You can change to Navigation Display mode where it shows you a digital map on your screen, so you don’t have to look at the center 10inch screen. It also shows you speed, RPM, and drive mode when battery charging, eco, and intense driving.
Or you could simpler looks like Dial display mode where the display is more 2D shows the basic requirement for a drive.
Or you could drive on Energy Display mode where you can see the SUV with more showing the Electric Mode Display whiling showing how the electric motors work while driving.
If you don’t like it too much the information while driving, you can also choose Minimum Display mode where the display only shows speed, distance, and is much more simple.
Under Personal Display Mode, you can see your personal trip details
The steering wheel is a little smaller and has sporty styling with GT written on the bottom side. You have 2 sets of controls on the left and right sides of the steering wheel. The Steering wheel is covered with leather covering and felt very comfortable to hold. There is the Peugeot logo on the center which also houses the airbag for the driver’s safety.
On the left side of the steering, you have the Volume rockers, Voice activation button, and selection wheel for the driver’s display and on the right of the steering you have the call receive and end button, Source, list button for applications and selection wheel for the Icockpit display in the center console.
- The SUV comes with a Paddle shift for drivers who like to have the feel of sports and drive on manual option.
- The SUV has got Adaptive Cruise control which you can set and speed and also increase and decrease the constant speed while driving on a long drive.
- The SUV comes with Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring System, Active Parking with Assisted Steering System, and mentioned earlier Visiopark 2 -360° vision.
- The SUV comes with Screen Mirroring compatibility including a MirrorLink connection, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Display and audio system
The SUV comes with Focal audio which is perfectly tuned to the interior, Tweeters near the side mirror frame, and Mids and base on the 4 doors which provides beautiful surround sound. Total, there are 10 speakers in the car which creates amazing quality of sound.
The central touch-screen is perfectly positioned and accompanied by seven ‘piano key’ toggle switches that operate the main i-Cockpit features: radio, air conditioning, navigation, vehicle settings, telephone, and phone mirroring.
The front seats come with a massager which is great for a long journey, it is not a very intense one but can relax your back while on long rides. The driver side has an electrically adjustable seat which has most of the latest automated features like changing the position of the seat from the steering wheel to lumbar support, angle change, and height of the driver seat.
For the driver seat, you can set 3 different seating options presets if the SUV is driven by multiple drivers. Another small interesting added to both the front seat. The front side of the seat can be manually extended for tall people comforting their long thigh bones. It is a small change but helps tall people while driving or co-passenger seats.
The seats are made of the beautiful red Nappa leather upholstery which creates a beautiful contrast to the black interiors. The doors have a nice artificial wooden panel to add luxury and style.
The rear seating is quite spacious and has an additional AC blower unit for cooling for the rear passenger.
The rear seating has good legroom and headspace and individual headrest for more comfort.
Conclusion
Overall it was a great experience to drive this compact crossover SUV, on turns didn’t feel rollovers, the SUV pick response was a quick and smooth drive. It is a pretty luxurious SUV for the interior if compare to the competitors and gives them a run for the money. The Best and my favorite is the fuel mileage. Reviewing the SUV for 4 days driving down to Abu Dhabi and back I had still 40 % of fuel left in my petrol tank, as mentioned wherever it was possible the SUV Hybrid system saved fuel and drive on electricity, even while I was driving on the highway at the speed average of 115 to 120kmph.
It was a great experience and I would recommend the viewer to go for a test drive if you are planning to buy a car. The launch price of the 2022 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Plugin Crossover SUV is AED200,000 but while speaking to Swaidan Enterprise, you can get it for AED180,000.
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