2021 Peugeot 3008 Allure Review

Nowadays, competition in Malaysia's C-segment SUV market is becoming increasingly fierce. Most consumers want the reliability of joint venture brands, hope for abundant features, but are constrained by a budget of 160,000 to 180,000 MYR. In this context, the emergence of the 2021 Peugeot 3008 Allure seems highly targeted—it not only brings the unique design sense of a French brand but also elevates safety and comfort configurations to a leading level in its class. We got the chance to review the car this time to see if its design, space, and driving performance can really meet the daily needs of family users and determine whether its cost performance stands out when compared with other models in the same class.

At first glance at the 3008 Allure, it’s hard not to notice its front design. The dotted grille is paired with the claw-shaped LED daytime running lights, offering high recognizability. Especially when the daytime running lights are lit, it stands out in traffic. The side profile of the car is relatively simple, without overly complicated folds, and the 18-inch wheels are just the right size to proportionally match the body. The rear design is relatively restrained, with claw-shaped taillights echoing the front design, though the lighting effect of the taillights is not as striking as the daytime running lights. Overall, the lighting system performs well; the brightness of the LED headlights is adequate, while the addition of automatic headlights and front fog lights enhances practicality.

Sitting inside, you’ll first notice its interior layout. The 10-inch central touchscreen is positioned higher up, so you don’t need to look down much when operating it. However, the screen's responsiveness is average—not particularly fast but not laggy either. The fully digital instrument cluster offers clear display quality and allows switching between different display modes, such as navigation and fuel consumption information, all of which can be viewed directly, enhancing usability. As for interior materials, the top of the dashboard and the inner sides of the door panels are wrapped in soft-touch materials, which feel nice, though the plastic parts in finer details are just average and don’t have a distinct advantage compared to Japanese SUVs in the same price range. In terms of features, keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic air conditioning are all standard. The front seats offer 8-way power adjustment, and the passenger seat also has 6-way power adjustment. The adjustment range is large enough to find a comfortable seating position. The inclusion of rear air vents and a 220V power outlet is considerate to rear passengers, especially for families with kids or long trips, with the power outlet meeting charging needs.

Space performance is one of the most important considerations for family users. The 3008 Allure has a wheelbase of 2730mm, which is above average in the C-segment SUV category. Front space needs no elaboration; a passenger around 180cm tall can sit comfortably with ample headroom and legroom. The rear space is equally impressive; passengers of the same height sitting in the back have about two fist-widths of legroom and more than one fist of headroom, avoiding a cramped feeling. The trunk has a capacity of 591L, sufficient to hold several suitcases or a baby stroller for daily use. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding configuration, which expands the space for carrying larger items occasionally. However, the height of the trunk opening is slightly high, which might make lifting and placing heavy objects challenging for people with less strength.

In terms of power, the 3008 Allure is equipped with a 1.6T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 167PS and reaching maximum torque as early as 1400rpm. During actual driving, the power response in the initial stage is quite quick, and you can feel the power output with a light press on the accelerator, without feeling sluggish. The mid-to-late acceleration performance is also good; when overtaking, stepping hard on the accelerator causes the gearbox to downshift promptly, ensuring smooth power delivery. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 8.9 seconds, which is average for the same segment and fully meets daily needs. The transmission is an AT gearbox, with clear shifting logic and decent smoothness. However, during low-speed traffic, there might occasionally be slight jerky movements.

Handling and chassis performance are strengths of French cars, and the 3008 Allure is no exception. The steering wheel has a relatively heavy feel, but it is very precise, providing enough confidence during cornering. The suspension system is tuned on the firmer side, absorbing road bumps quite effectively. Especially while crossing speed bumps or uneven roads, the body does not sway much, maintaining excellent stability. However, the firm suspension has its downsides; when driving over continuous bumpy roads, rear passengers might feel a bit uncomfortable. As for soundproofing, wind noise and tire noise are well-controlled during highway driving, so they do not interfere with passenger conversations inside the car. However, engine noise is noticeably transmitted into the cabin during rapid acceleration.

In terms of fuel consumption, we drove approximately 100km each in urban and highway conditions. The fuel consumption in urban conditions is about 8.5L/100km, while on highways it's around 6.2L/100km, with a combined consumption of approximately 7.3L/100km. This is not far from the official figure of 7L/100km. For a 1.6T SUV, this fuel efficiency is considered quite economical. Regarding braking performance, the brake pedal feels relatively firm, but the braking force output is linear. During an emergency brake, the body remains stable, with no significant nose-diving observed.

Safety features are a major highlight of the 3008 Allure. It comes standard with 6 airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. These features are not commonly found in vehicles of the same price range, especially blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning, which are quite user-friendly for novice drivers. The inclusion of front parking sensors, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera also enhances convenience during parking.

Overall, the 2021 Peugeot 3008 Allure’s core strengths are evident: distinctive design, rich safety features, decent space, and adequate power for daily use. Compared to similarly priced Japanese SUVs, it offers more advantages in terms of safety features and interior technology. However, its brand influence and resale value may not be as strong as Japanese cars. It is best suited for families that value safety and features, particularly those who appreciate French design while also seeking practicality. If your budget is between RM160,000 to RM180,000 and you’re looking for a feature-packed, safe, and reliable compact SUV, the 3008 Allure is worth considering.