The Peugeot 3008 MPV (From Dorset Echo)

The Peugeot 3008 MPV

11:52am Tuesday 26th January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

WE ALL want to travel safely. And when a family is involved this is even more important.

So in response, Peugeot has launched its new 3008 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle), which has quickly won a loyal following from young families.

According to Brian Morgan, sales executive at Westover Peugeot in Christchurch, the dealership is “selling a lot of them”.

With a maximum NCAP 5 star crash rating, it is one of the safest cars on Britain’s roads, something that Volvo, the traditional safe car manufacturer will no doubt be carefully monitoring. Mr Morgan explained that the NCAP test puts a car through a number of rigorous European Union safety checks “to show how safe it is, how it performs in an accident and for people outside the car”.

“There are a lot of safety gadgets on this vehicle,” he said, adding that its design features big bumpers that are more pedestrian friendly than conventional ones.

“Grip control helps it drive in snow and mud, which can be switched off if you want to have some fun.”

This clever device helped cut through the snow around Moors Valley Country Park earlier this month.

The high, commanding driving position makes it feel like a 4x4.

“There’s a similar car in the Nissan Qashqai but a lot of people want to drive around town with the high-up driving position and without the 4x4,” according to Mr Morgan. The design and feel of the cockpit is aesthetically pleasing. Its centre console is well set out but the stereo volume is a little awkward to reach – it would have been helpful to have this and other controls on the steering wheel, and perhaps safer.

Heater controls are near the gearbox – a good position because they need to be close to hand.

Safety features include automatic headlights that switch on when the ignition is turned, copying that Swedish competitor while cruise control with limiter, costing an extra £225 is easy to operate and a good way of keeping within Bournemouth’s speed limits.

It is equipped with a foot-operated parking brake, which more and more manufacturers prefer over the traditional handbrake, despite the latter being in my opinion, easier to operate.

A minor irritation is the fact that the satellite navigation, a £700 or so option, flips up every time the ignition is turned and reflects on the windscreen at night, but it can be pushed down.

A spacious vehicle, it will easily seat five adults in comfort.

And it is a capable commuter vehicle while also coping with the challenges of transporting a family and all the paraphernalia that ensues.

It benefits from a cleverly designed boot, which has a split-folding tailgate for easy loading.

Peugeot has even managed to make fastening seatbelts a bit of fun for children and parents. Above the rear view mirror there’s a little image of the car with red dots denoting the number of passengers.

When each seatbelt is fastened, a dot disappears.

The 3008 comes with a choice of 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre petrol and diesel engines. The 1.6 litre diesel uses the same engine as the 308, which is capable of returning 126mpg. It will reach 0 to 60mph in around 11 seconds with a maximum speed of 115mph.

In 1.6 petrol guise the test car has an on the road price of £16,595 but the extras, including aluminium metallic paint bump it up to £18,385.

“It’s a fantastic car. It’s a crossover not like any others – it combines an MPV with a normal car,” concluded Mr Morgan.

No surprise then that it has just been crowned Car of the Year at the What Car? Awards.

• Print
• Email
• Share