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By Jonathan Crouch

Could you form a bond with this PHEV Peugeot 3008? Jonathan Crouch decides.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The best all-round Peugeot 3008 might well be this one, the Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 version. This PHEV variant now goes up to 52 miles without troubling fossil fuel and aims to position you as the most stylish occupant of the gym car park. Tempting attributes.

Backgroundword count: 133

Here's the Peugeot 3008 variant you might not have considered - which is a pity because it could just be the one you actually need. We're talking about the PHEV version - or to give it its designated name, the 3008 Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DSC7. In the 3008 range, the E-3008 full-EV version gets all the publicity, while the entry-level Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 self-charging model gets nearly all the sales. Price-positioned plumb between these two variants is this PHEV derivative which, at first glance, seems to offer the best bits of both. The old second generation 3008 offered a Plug-in Hybrid variant too (launched in 2020), but hardly anyone bought it because it was too expensive and its EV range was feeble. Will this replacement model do better? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 230

The Plug-In Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 powertrain features a much larger 21kWh battery than the one used in the previous generation model. It delivers up to 52 miles of electric range. This is combined with an updated version of the brand's 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged PureTech petrol engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission incorporating a 92kW electric motor, resulting in a combined 195hp and 350Nm of torque. The 0-62mph sprint takes 7.8s en route to 137mph. The 3008 Plug-in Hybrid comes with a choice of three drive modes - 'Hybrid', 'Electric' and 'Sport'. The default mode is 'Hybrid', automatically managing the alternating or simultaneous operation of the petrol engine and electric motor. To optimise fuel consumption, this mode will prioritise all-electric driving as often as possible. The 'Electric' mode allows driving using only electric power with speeds up to 83mph, while in 'Sport', the electric power is used to supplement the petrol engine to deliver maximum performance for more dynamic driving. Thanks to its STLA platform, which also has to accommodate the larger 5008, this is one of the heavier PHEVs in the mid-sized class and you'll feel this car's considerable weight through the turns. Nor does it help that the wrist-flick responses promised by the little steering wheel don't translate into a rack with much feel when you most need it at speed through tight corners when you're running late.

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