Given the recent weather, from the deep freeze’s cold arctic blasts to the mild winter sunshine, I needed a vehicle that could withstand all conditions.
I discovered this versatility on a 600-mile round-trip in Peugeot’s range-topping electrified 3008 GT Premium Hybrid4 300 e-EAT8 compact SUV crossover, which provided ample opportunity to acquire a feel for the vehicle regardless of the weather or road conditions. Not inexpensive at £50.930 (plus £1,000 in extras). But elegant and refined.
And listening to Middlesbrough-born crooner Chris Rea on the smart entertainment system while traveling home for Christmas is rather enjoyable.
This is why. It’s a plug-in hybrid, so after a charge, I had between 34 and 40 miles of electric-only range in addition to excellent fuel economy in hybrid mode.
The 300hp combination of a 1.6 liter 200hp petrol engine and a 110hp (81kW) electric motor paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission gives 0 to 62mph acceleration of 6.1 seconds up to a high speed of 149 mph in sport mode, and even 84mph in pure electric mode, and thrifty hybrid fuel consumption.
It is agile and grippy on country roads, has ample mid-range power, and is fairly comfortable with sporty seats and a satnav. There is also a boot of reasonable size.
During the great freeze, when I had to scrape frost off the windscreens and windows and navigate icy, frequently ungritted roads, the four-wheel drive option was essential.
My Nera Black crossover featured the stylish £400 ‘black pack’ option, which made me feel like Johnny Cash, “the man in black,” as I began my epic journey.
By the time I was done, I had churned up so much slush from salted A-roads that the car resembled a grayish-white hue.
Charging takes approximately four hours from a standard wall outlet. Numerous features and, thankfully, straightforward control buttons and toggles. Recall those?
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
