Design driven: Peugeot E-3008 Dual Motor

When the original Peugeot 3008 launched back in 2009, it was a bit of a genre bender – a tall hatchback with MPV practicality and SUV aspirations. It wasn’t beautiful, but it was brave and more importantly, popular with customers.

The second-generation in 2016 embraced a more conventional SUV form with its high driving position, ground clearance, steep windshield, long roof and the three claw lighting signature that Peugeot debuted on the 504 Coupé and has since rolled out across the range. Now, in its third iteration, the 3008 has morphed into a fully electric fastback SUV, known as the E-3008 (although a hybrid and plug-in hybrid are also available.) 

This vehicle is full of the so-called ‘French charisma’ that makes up one of Peugeot’s design pillars. Car Design News test drove the Dual Motor version, which possesses 325 hp and claims 303 miles of electric range. After specific instruction to not hit cyclists, we were let free to drive through Germany’s Black Forest to see how far the brand’s design ambitions could take us.

Known as one of Germany’s main attractions, the Black Forest occupies an area of 2,320 square miles in southwest Germany. This diverse region is made up of countless hiking trails, quaint towns nestled along the Rhine valley and the tallest waterfall in Germany – Triberg. Oh, and your visit isn’t complete without sampling a slice of Black Forest cake, a delectable combination of chocolate sponge, whipped cream and cherries *cue drooling*. 

We began our journey up in the misty mountains, where the E-3008’s deep Obsession Blue paint appeared like an enigma as it parted the morning fog that enveloped the mountains. As we climbed higher into the forest, the road narrowed, trees thickened, ears popped and the car’s sharp form stood out against centuries-old pines. And let’s talk about the silhouette – a coupe-inspired roofline, flush panels and that now-obligatory full-width rear light bar greets you. The overall look is aerodynamic, polished and actually quite premium.

Inside, Peugeot’s big design flex is the new panoramic i-Cockpit – a 21-inch curved display that sweeps across the dashboard with ambient lighting underneath. The screen as a whole is crisp, responsive and helpfully angled toward the driver which is perfect when winding through the Black Forest. There’s also a handy ‘pilot’ screen above the steering wheel for glanceable driving info, which makes sense ergonomically. 

But beneath the surface beauty lies some UX muddle. Adjusting something as basic as the air conditioning requires multiple taps through layered menus. There are customisable shortcut keys, but it still doesn’t excuse burying climate control deep within the menu – tedious when you’re trying to warm up after a foggy hillside stop. Peugeot isn't alone here – many carmakers have taken this turn – but it’s still frustrating. And it’s a shame in an otherwise clever, clean cockpit. 

That said, materials and textures are bang on point. Our test car, finished in a striking Obsession Blue (yes, CDN did run to be first in the queue to secure this colour), came with fabric-wrapped dash panels, metallic trim and Mistral black embossed Alcantara upholstery with Iced Clay stitching on the seats, which also seemed carved to fit your back perfectly. After a few hours on the road (and an accidental detour down a dense, but bumpy, forest path) comfort remained high. It all feels well-judged for a car at this price point (just over £56,000). 

So, what’s it like to drive? The E-3008 Dual Motor packs 325hp and all-wheel drive, delivering 0–60mph in around 6.0 seconds. The roads of the Black Forest offered an ideal test: sweeping corners, steep climbs and plenty of hairpins. 

The E-3008’s light steering is favourable, but on these faster mountain curves, it started to feel a touch vague. Braking has a slight pause – regenerative creep, really – but this can be adjusted. Otherwise, power delivery is smooth and confidence inspiring. Even on damp forest roads, traction never felt in doubt. 

The evolution of the 3008’s form reflects a clear effort by Peugeot’s design team to push the model forward. The fastback profile builds on recent brand cues, and the cabin delivers a visually refined experience. No cyclists were harmed in the making of this article.

Read: Design Driven – Peugeot e-5008.