I test drove the Peugeot 3008 – everything feels new but still has the same sort of handsome

PEUGEOTS are pretty desirable cars now.

It wasn’t like that in 2016.

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Back then, most Peugeots were a bit strange looking, a bit meh inside, and not quite trusted by the public.

But in 2016 the company launched the 3008. It turned Peugeot around.

It looked smart, with good proportions and a bit of glitz.

Inside it had great materials, interesting shapes and fancy digital systems.

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So Peugeot has made the new 3008 carry a family resemblance to the old.

Everything’s new, but still the same sort of handsome.

That said, one thing has changed. It’s got a fastback tail. That shape cuts aero­dynamic drag.

Funky materials

It needs to cut drag because there’s also one big change underneath. You can get an electric version.

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Less drag means more electric range.

With petrol cars, low drag improves economy. And if you’re not ready to abandon petrol, there’s also a slick-driving and reasonably economical 1.2 turbo auto.

Peugeot calls it Hybrid, but the electric assistance is very light so it drives like a normal car and you don’t have to plug it in.

It starts at £34,650, with loads of kit thrown in. That’s £11k less than the electric. Or several years worth of fuel.

The little engine is pretty game. It’s heavily modified from the one in other 1.2 Peugeots, designed to hold hands with the extra boost from the electric motor. That helps economy.

It’s quieter too. In a traffic jam it’ll often shut off altogether, letting you dribble along for a couple of hundred yards by electric impulse alone.

Peugeot wanted it to feel like a small car, so the steering is quick-reacting and it doesn’t roll in bends.

But it isn’t small, it’s tall. So sometimes the suspension pitches and rocks you. The dash carries more tablets than your pharmacy.

Two big curved screens run across the top. Below the central vents is another touchscreen you can configure with useful shortcuts.

It takes a bit of learning, but once you’ve got it sorted this is one of the better control and info systems.

The dash and console shapes and materials are pretty funky too, without losing practicality. So all’s well up front.

The rear legroom isn’t as big as some family crossovers, so check your lanky teenagers do fit. But 520 litres of boot should be enough for pretty well anyone.

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Still, no one will buy it for the boot.

It’s the looks they want.