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The 2019 Peugeot 3008 Active is the second generation of the company’s crossovers. The company seems to have compiled and translated all the feedback they received from the first generation to ensure that the second attempt is miles ahead. The company has fixed what was wrong with the original and has done a great job to develop what it was doing right.
The latest generation moves on to the company’s latest platform making it stronger, lighter and with a longer wheelbase offering better proportions than its predecessor. While the older 3008 Active had a guppy look, perhaps inspired by the French obsession with MPVs, the new one looks like a modern-day crossover SUV, the kind of vehicle that people want to buy. Not to mention the fact that Peugeot is now committed to ensuring that all their vehicles are decked out with the latest technology.
On the Road Performance
At the top end of the spectrum, the 3008 Active 2019 comes with a 2.0-liter diesel engine. The engine offers a broad torque band. However, we suspect that the biggest seller will be the 1.6 diesel engine variant which is low on CO2 and is competitively priced. Also part of the lineup is two petrol engines – one with a 1.6 four-cylinder and the other is a 1.2 four cylinder. While 1.2-liter engines may not seem like much, the fact that they are running on gasoline makes them a little quieter and peppier than their diesel counterparts.
The latest model makes no promises of it being sporty though it is nicely geared and shifts smoothly both up and down. Driving the vehicle, you can’t help but notice the active role played by the platform’s damping which keeps everything feeling smooth. Cruising speeds are decent something which will matter to those looking for a family car. Even though it is an FWD vehicle only, going off road for short stints is still possible, and you won’t feel minor bumps thanks to the soft springs and exceptionally designed ground clearance. It isn’t, by any means, meant to be put through its paces on rough roads or off the road.
Over on the Inside
Swing on over on the inside and it isn’t hard to see that the seats are comfortable for everyone. The softish springs are complimented with smartly shaped seats. It is as though the seats hold on to your body and support the lumbar region making them ideal for long stretches of driving. However, on the back, space isn’t a lot, but it is still adequate for most people and or families.
Perhaps the biggest draw on the inside is its brand new dash design complimented with a control layout. All materials are exceptionally made, are comfortable and have a very good feeling to them. The console and dash are indeed novel and borderline eccentric which is something we love about the interior.
Remember we said that Peugeot was committed to bringing the latest tech to their vehicles? Well, you won’t be surprised to learn that the interior is adorned by two configurable screens. One screen houses the driver’s instruments while the other is for navigation coupled with entertainment features. The operation of these screens are smooth, and the graphics are pretty self-explanatory. There is also the added advantage of phone mirroring.
Previous Peugeots that were equipped with the i-Cockpit feature were dotted with numerous traditional buttons; this time around things have changed for the better. The piano style keys are now placed on the dash along with the air conditioner controls underneath. All of which makes reaching these frequently used switches more relaxed, more comfortable and yet they continue to retain that consistent premium feeling across every inch of the dashboard.
Final Verdict
The Peugeot 3008 Active 2019 isn’t groundbreaking but it is new enough to make it stand out from its predecessor. It calls attention to its strengths which are stronger than ever before while at the same time eliminating most, if not all of its weaknesses. This time around, the bold styling, excellently engineered ergonomics, interior design, and the use of premium quality materials have impressed us.
While there are significant improvements, there have been missteps especially in the limitations of i-Cockpit. However, in our experience and from what we are being told, many of the kinks can be ironed with software updates. Though hard design choices were clearly made and some were not to our liking, most people might not have a problem with it.
If you are able to look beyond a handful of misgivings and compare the 3008 Active 2019 to some of the leaders like the BMW X1, Ford Kuga, or the Nissan Qashqai, it is pretty clear that the Peugeot 3008 is amongst the leaders in this class. We’d recommend it to anyone looking for a compact crossover because it has a lot going for it which includes affordability compared to the competition.
Additional Details
Car Make: PeugeotCar Make: 3008 Active