Just test driven the Peugeot 3008 diesel hybrid - It's impressive!

Let us know how you get on with fuel eco. Are you in the UK?

 

How is the automated manual in the 3008 Hybrid4? An automated manual is an interesting choice for a hybrid... is it very jerky and slow to shift?

 

Just read a review which finds it jerky and slow...

 

And compared to a BMW X1 2.0d S drive, wins marginally in fuel consumption...6.2l/100 for the BMW and 6.1l/100 for the 3008HYbrid4... (MPG UK45.5 and 46.2) or (MPG US 37.9 and 38.5)...

 

Hi there,

Back in 2006, at a moment when our rather infaithful Mercedes ML320CDI was agin in the "clinic", we had an E220CDI as a replacement - for a couple of months .

During that period, the Citroën C4 Picasso was launched, and we took a test drive with a vehicle equipped with the same kind of transmission. In "ordinary" driving conditions, it did not like to be rushed - as the Mercedes. This, however, was 6 years back.

The same transmission in the 3008 HY4 is quite different - much, much smoother, as long as you don't drive it "pedal to the metal". People who buy a 3008 for that purpose are wrong off from the start - regardless of version. It's just not that kind of vehicle.

 

Then again, if you bought a Picasso back then, it would have been because you wanted the most beautiful MPV in its class ;-)

 

Hi there,

On March 28 I took over my almost-new (2.032 kms) Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Limited Edition. The delivery experience was positive, as the italo-congolese lady charged with this was not only quite attractive, but also knew her product very well.

The first impression at the wheel was fine, although of course it's quite a different beast from the Prius. From the driver's seat you'd have a hard time telling you were not at the wheel of an Audi Q5 - but the price tag is different.

Before delivery (the first 2K have been run on the dealership's winter wheels) I had the OEM Michelin Primacy HP (strictly summer tires) replaced with all-season Goodyear Vector 4Seasons. This may cost some mileage and be slightly more noisy, but I want to be mobile wherever I am.

The standard headlight lamps are 65W H9 halogens - deceiving on a 40K EUR vehicle. They were immediately replaced by a set of "compatible" Chinese-made Xenon units which are quite OK - no stray light, and you can see where you're going.

Quality- and feature-wise this is a BIG step up from the Prius, especially in this (really) Limited Edition. The seats are nicely upholstered and supportive, the driver's side is electrically adjustable, the passenger side manually, including height.

Turn the key = READY, and move off. Unlike the Prius, it will move off on E-power even with a cold engine, until more power is demanded, but even then it cuts the combustion engine much more often from cold than a Prius. This is nice, especially as after all it's a Diesel (although it's not too loud).

Interior room is as in the Prius, but different, as you sit more upright. Luggage space is a bit down, especially if you take in all the "secret" underfloor compartments the Prius can offer - but still quite sufficient and very regularly shaped.

The driving experience is quite different from a HSD vehicle, especially on hills and at higher speeds. The Diesel engine is quite torquey, so even mountain passes tackled with the cruise control engaged at 100 to 120 kph are done in 6th - meaning that the engine turns at respectively 1,956 and 2,348 RPM. Quite a different world from the Prius where the engine will spin at twice the RPM in the same conditions.

The navigation system is fine, with a power foldaway high-resolution screen on top of the dashboard where you can see it, and fine possibilities for "tailoring" the system to your personal needs. The sound system is good, but not overwhelming, if you're a fan of BOOM-BOOM-BOOM. I'm not . And you're not bound to run out of music: It has a USB port, 10 GB HDD, a SD slot, and a MP3-capable DVD player. I have not tried if the USB port will also support an external HDD, but already with conventional media you have 82.5 GB total capacity which should last for a while :rockon:.

Driving the beast is nice. It's quiet, you have an absolutely panoramic view (all around and thanks to the panoramic glass roof also up) - and if needed, the 200 combined HP seem all to be there :mod: . The HUD is easier to read than the one in the European Prius, and the combined effect of the nav screen folding flat, the HUD display disappearing into the dash, the automatic parking brake kicking in and finally the outside mirrors folding flush with the vehicle when you shut down and lock the car is not bad at all.

The speedo reading is fine for a European vehicle: Subtract 5 KPH from the indicated speed, and you're dead on the speed indicated by a GPS speedo. And the cruise control works perfectly, adjustable in 1 KPH and 5 KPH steps.

Coming from a 3rd Gen Prius with LRR tires, the "E-braking" effect of the Peugeot surprises you at first, but you very quickly get accustomed to it - in fact it's probably also more readily accepted by other motorists than the endless coasting the Prius is capable of.

In the two weeks I've had it it's been twice across the Alps to Italy - and as I did another round trip on the same route with the Prius just a week before, I can come up with a non-scientific (but quite true) comparison. For this kind of driving (at up to 130 KPH) the Peugeot comes out a clear winner in driving impression and driver fatigue. It does lose on consumption, of course - but not by nearly as much as you would be thinking. On the two southbound trips, the Prius had a fuel consumption of 5.47 l/100 kms and the Peugeot used 5.79 l/100 - but due to the cheaper Diesel fuel, the trip actually cost slightly less with the Peugeot. Northbound the difference was much more marked, with the Prius using 5.52 l/100 kms and the Peugeot going through no less than 6.7 l/100 kms - but the weather conditions were a lot worse when driving the Peugeot back with heavy rain and wind most of the way - and I was pushing it a little bit .

I'm very satisfied with my "experimental" purchase so far, and note with satisfaction that the gearbox seems to be adapting to my driving style.

 

First MPG records on spritmonitor...

http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/509034.html
http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/504715.html
http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/498134.html

Despite break-in and adapt issues, average of about 6,6l/100km is a lot.
(35MPG US/ 42MPG UK)

 

well, this one is me. And while it's not exhilarant, I'm not too shocked - and I see my avg is quite a lot better than the other two.

Like with our previous HSD hybrids I drive normally - I don't exceed the speed limits, but I don't slouch along the motorway behind the trucks, either.

 

Then the question is - what was your MPG with Prius, considering your normal driving?

P3008 Hybrid4 is rated in EU test cycle 3,8 l/100 km
Prius is rated 3,9 l/100 km

 

Pleased to meet you!
Congrats on your purchase, and thank you for your contribution. You might (not) be surprised, but this first diesel-hybrid is turning heads...so keep in touch... :clap2:

 

35mpg vs. 28 mpg for Highlander, the current highest mileage hybrid AWD or 30 mpg for Subaru, current highest mileage non-hybrid AWD.

It's 18" longer than a Prius. A Prius size version should get to the magic 40 mpg for AWD.

Puegot, Volvo, Toyota gives you an idea of how sadly far behind US auto manufacturers are in technology and design.