A real Jack-of-all-trades (From Messenger Newspapers)

A real Jack-of-all-trades

12:33pm Monday 25th January 2010

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If you have a growing family and fancy a car that’s capable of taking on almost anything, then the 3008 should certainly be on your shortlist, says Nigel Burton.

IS the Peugeot 3008 meant to be an MPV, an SUV or a hatchback? In truth, it’s a little bit of all of them. And if Peugeot has managed to keep the best bits, it could just become the next big thing in family transportation.

Nissan has already enjoyed success with a car that breaks away from the traditional family hatchback. But unlike the Qashqai, the Peugeot 3008 doesn’t replace an existing model. Instead, it slots into the French giant’s range as a practical alternative to the 308.

It certainly stands out from the crowd. The 3008 doesn’t feature the Peugeot “shark nose” treatment. Instead, the grille is a bit like a chromed milk crate that’s flanked by distinctive fox-eye headlights giving the newcomer a distinctive look all of its own.

The jury’s out on whether or not it’s a thing of beauty, but you’ll not mistake it for anything else the first time you see one on the road.

The huge windscreen and panaromic Cielo glass roof enhance the cabin’s light and airy feel. Three adults can sit in comfort on the second row of seats and the cabin is well trimmed from quality materials.

Peugeot’s designers have taken a leaf out of the Mini’s book, equipping the 3008’s fascia with retro toggle switches for the funky head-up display and the distance warning radar.

Practicalities include a three-tier boot and a handy split tailgate. The luggage capacity is a generous 1,604 litres, better than a 308 hatch but a few litres shy of the 308 SW estate. The boot light can be removed and used as a torch.

From some angles the 3008 could be an off-roader, but it remains stubbornly front-wheel drive only. If you still fancy a bit of light country lanes action, I strongly suggest you tick the box next to the optional Grip Control system when you place your order. This advanced traction control system, when combined with mud and snow tyres, gives the 3008 a fighting chance crossing muddy fields without the cost of a full-on four-wheeldrive system.

Peugeot is making a concerted effort to get back to its roots as a manufacturer of “drivers’ cars”. The 3008 is tall for a hatch so the actual physics are against it, so the engineers have come up with something they call Dynamic Rolling Control (DRC). Basically a hydraulic suspension coupling, DRC sharpens up the 3008 through the bends, making it feel nicer to drive on a challenging road.

You can choose from a brace of 1.6 petrols (normally aspirated and turbo-charged) or 1.6 and 2.0-litre turbodiesels.

A hybrid is also on the cards but unlikely to arrive until the 3008 undergoes a mid-life refresh.

So does the 3008 do enough to convince as a jackof- all-trades? If you have a growing family and fancy a car that’s capable of taking on almost anything, including a bit of off-road fun, then the 3008 should certainly be on your shortlist.

Peugeot has really caught the MPV bug with the 3008. Until now it has been content to leave the people carrier duties to sister company Citroen, which seems to have an MPV for every day of the week.

But Peugeot MPVs are obviously a bit like buses (figuratively, speaking) – you wait for ages, then two come along at once.

If the 3008 is a bit cramped, then cast your eye over the 5008, a full-sized MPV capable of swallowing an amazing ten wheelie bins. That may well sound like a load of rubbish, but as a fact it’s actually true.

Starting at a shade over £16,800, the 5008 offers a lot of space for your cash.

It’s a seven-seater and, thanks to excellent packaging, you don’t have to be a circus contortionist to get into the third row.

The glovebox is more like a cavern than a box - you could put a trinket in it and never see it again - and there are scores of hidden boxes, cubby holes and drinks holders to choose from.

As with its smaller brother, the 5008 is available with a wide range of engines including the punchy 1.6-litre HDi diesel Sport variant and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that looks a good bet for caravanners who need some serious towing torque.

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