2014 Peugeot 3008, pleasure on wheels

THERE is no doubt that the Peugeot 3008, which has just been given a mid-life facelift for 2014, is a useful
car.
  There are elements of it that, while unchanged from when the model was launched in 2009, still work brilliantly. The split tailgate, false floor in the boot and elevated driving position are three prime examples.
  Peugeot's 1.6-litre HDi diesel is also a good unit, packing 113bhp and a more relevant 199lb ft of torque from just 1,750rpm. Combined with a six-speed gearbox that is unremarkable to use but packed full of sensible ratios, it makes a relaxing car for unhurried driving, with a good punch of mid-range torque that makes its 13.6sec 0-62mph time sound a bit pessimistic.
  The facelift consists of some new chrome strips on the front of the car that bring it into line with the rest of Peugeot's range, as well as LED detailing in the lights. There's also been a few revisions to the equipment offered as standard (all models now feature Bluetooth, for example), and prices have been reduced by up to £650 (about N130, 000).
  Peugeot has also added a colour element to its head-up display, to make it easier to identify the different elements being shown.
  However, there are areas of the 3008 where it is showing its age, none more so than the clunky interface for the central screen. This is a sat-nav where it is so hard to work out how to mute instructions (what should be a two-press operation at most) that eventually one would give up. Then there's the fact that when in night mode your route is indicated by a blue line. This would be fine, were the minor roads around not also shown in blue. To see where you're going you must either lean into the screen or constantly zoom in and out of the map. This probably explains why they don't want you to turn off the voice instructions.
  Equally as frustrating was the now standard Bluetooth connection, which worked for calls but kept dropping out when trying to stream audio.
  These frustrations shouldn't detract too much from what is otherwise still a decent car. The interior feels well made, the driving position is good and the 3008 handles pretty much as you'd hope, with a bit of body roll and enough grip, if nothing in the way of excitement.
  Peugeot also reports that 10 per cent of customers have opted for the Hybrid4 diesel/electric model, but our preference would be to stick with a straight diesel setup and suffer the additional costs in terms of vehicle excise duty in return for a car that is cheaper to buy, less complicated to use and more pleasant to drive. In Allure specification there's also a good amount of kit, including a reversing camera to complement the parking sensors.
  Chief among its attributes are it's spacious interior and 512-litre boot, followed by its good motorway manners and pleasant drivetrain. If those sound like the kind of things you value in a car, then the 3008 is still very much worth a look.