Peugeot 3008 1.2 Hybrid 136 GT 5dr e-DSC6

Ten Second Review

Peugeot says that the 48V Hybrid engine fitted into this 3008 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 is the one to have in this mid-sized SUV model line - and there's some truth in that. You can't plug this powerplant in, but it delivers a combination of value, performance and frugality that 3008 fans will like. And it makes better all-round sense than a diesel alternative.

Background

We've had a Hybrid Peugeot 3008 for some time - of the Plug-in kind. And it's been vanishingly rare. But this petrol/electric 3008, the 'Hybrid 136 e-DCS6', won't be. You can't plug it in, but that makes it lighter and cheaper. And if you still fancied a diesel in a mid-sized lifestyle SUV of this kind, the efficiency stats here might make you think again. It shares its self-charging Hybrid engine with Stellantis Group cousin and close rival Citroen's C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 - which is significantly cheaper thanks to Citroen's new pricing policy. So the 3008 will need it's more arresting looks and more avant-garde cabin. It's reasonable value compared to significant Hybrid rivals from other brands though and Peugeot expects that in future, this will be the 3008 variant of choice for many customers. Let's see why.

Driving Experience

In principle, this is one of those 48V Hybrid systems merely designed to allow the car to run solely on electric power when manoeuvring or under very light throttle loads. In practice though, Peugeot says this 3008 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 can run without fossil fuel for up to 50% of the time on the kind of low-speed commuting journeys that the majority of owners will typically do. The 48V system is based around a 28bhp electric motor embedded into a purpose-designed dual clutch 6-speed auto gearbox. The main source of forward motion though, is the brand's familiar three cylinder 1.2-litre turbocharged Puretech petrol engine, which contributes to a total output of 134bhp, facilitating a rest to 62mph time of 10.0s en route to 124mph. With just 230Nm of torque available though, towing is unlikely to be this car's forte (the braked towing weight is 1,250kgs). You'll need to make frequent use of this Peugeot's 'Eco' drive mode to get anywhere near the frugality figures the brand claims; unlike in rival Toyota Hybrids, there's no button to force the car into EV mode. There's brake regen harvesting set-up to feed energy back into the 48V system's battery (which sits under the front passenger seat), but there are no selectable options to change the regen level.

Design and Build

As you'd expect, the visual differentiations with this Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 model are limited to badging. Otherwise, this is like any other second generation 3008, which means it's very sleekly styled but, at 4.4-metres long, remains one of the more compact crossovers in the mid-sized SUV segment. Inside, the cabin as usual in this model is dominated by digital screens for the instrument cluster and the centre stack, embellished in this case by some extra hybrid-related displays and associated switchgear. As ever with a modern Peugeot, there's an 'i-Cockpit' dash design you'll have to get used to that leaves you looking over the small steering wheel at the instrument binnacle, rather than conventionally through it. There's a 12.3-inch instrument screen and a centre infotainment monitor that's either 8 or 10-inches in size, depending on spec. Two adults can be comfortably accommodated in the rear; three would be a bit of a squash. At least luggage space (rated at 520-litres) isn't compromised in the way it is with a 3008 Plug-in Hybrid (which offers just 395-litres). The folding bench seat has a 2/3 - 1/3 'Magic Flat' capability to optimise loading with a flat floor. Fold the second row of seats flat and this results in a total luggage capacity of 1482-litres. The very original adaptable moving boot floor, initiated on the original 3008, has been evolved with two positions to allow the optimisation of boot space and removable side-panels that can be fixed to the side boot trim.

Market and Model

The Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 model is available with all three of the main 3008 trim levels - 'Active Premium+', 'Allure Premium+' and 'GT'. Prices start from just over £34,000, which means a premium of around £1,500 over the ordinary 1.2-litre Puretech 130 auto model. You'll need about £2,500 more for 'Allure Premium+' spec and around £4,000 more for 'GT' trim. For reference, the 3008 Plug-in Hybrid models start from around £40,000. Base 'Active Premium+'-spec gives you all the kit you could reasonably want with this Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 model. That includes 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a colour reversing camera, ambient lighting, power-folding door mirrors and all-round parking sensors. 'Allure Premium+' trim adds a contrast-coloured black roof, LED tail lamps and a larger 10-inch central touchscreen with a Connected 3D navigation system. Top 'GT'-spec gets you part-leather upholstery, alcantara cabin trim and full-LED headlamps. As for safety, all models get 'Front Collision Warning' autonomous braking, plus 'Lane Keeping Assist' with road edge detection. But you'll need to avoid base trim to get 'High Beam Assist' and 'Blind Spot Monitoring'. All the really choice features are reserved for top 'GT' trim, which comes with 'Lane Positioning Assist', a more advanced emergency braking system and 'Adaptive Cruise Control with stop & go'.

Cost of Ownership

Peugeot reckons that this Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 model's 48V mild hybrid petrol engine technology reduces fuel consumption by 15%, with these savings mostly being achieved during urban driving, where as we told you in our 'Driving' section, the brand claims the car can run on just electric power for up to 50% of the time. Motorway efficiency remains unchanged. 3008 models equipped with the 48V Hybrid powertrain have a specific display embedded into the 'i-Cockpit' instrument screen. The digital display shows 100% electric driving (speedometer in blue), the flow of energy in the system, the battery charge level, its operating status via a power meter (Charge, Eco, Power) and the percentage of distance travelled in electric mode at any one time or at the end of the journey. Expect 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 120g/km of CO2. In comparison, the BlueHDi 130 diesel auto variant manages up to 54.1mpg and up to 137g/km of CO2. Servicing as usual on a 3008 model is needed every year or every 12,500 miles and the cost of garage visits should be affordable too, though Peugeot's fixed-price maintenance package (there's a choice of three, four or five-year plans) is a touch more expensive than rival schemes.

Summary

We wondered when Peugeot was eventually going to replace its venerable long-running 1.2-litre three cylinder Puretech petrol unit. In the event, for the time being anyway, all it's actually done is to add a Hybrid system to it, built into a new 6-speed auto gearbox. The brand reckons that's all that was needed and in this form, the 3008 is certainly a more complete package. We're impressed by the efficiency on offer here and there wasn't a lot wrong with the existing 3008 package, providing you can get on with the unusual i-Cockpit design. We can't really see much of an argument for choosing the much pricier 3008 Plug-in Hybrid over this simpler model. But we would find it difficult to ignore the fact that the identically-engineered Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 is so much cheaper. If you're smitten by a 3008 though, this is the one to choose.