Peugeot 208, 308, 2008 and 3008 Compared

In France, the Peugeot 208, 308, 2008 and 3008 sit in four different segments, and the badge number alone does not tell you which one fits your street, your parking spot or your annual mileage. The 208 is a small city car, the 308 a compact hatchback or SW estate, the 2008 a small crossover built on the 208 base, and the 3008 a larger crossover that shares its platform with the 308. The choice between them comes down to three measurable things: exterior length, boot volume and the height of the driver's seat above the road.

Peugeot publishes these figures per version, and French buyers can compare them model by model in a Peugeot buying guide that lists prices, trim levels and engines for each range. The same source covers the hybrid and electric variants and the points to check on a used 3008, which is where most of the practical questions land.

How do the 208, 308, 2008 and 3008 ranges differ?

The 208 is the entry point. It is roughly four metres long, offered as a five-door hatchback, and sold mainly with small petrol engines and a mild-hybrid unit. It parks in spaces that a 3008 cannot use, and its rear bench is intended for two adults on short trips.

The 308 is about 30 centimetres longer and sits lower. It comes as a five-door hatchback and as the 308 SW estate, whose longer rear overhang adds boot volume behind the rear seats. The lower roof and seating position give it better aerodynamics and a firmer ride than the crossovers.

The 2008 uses the 208's mechanical base but raises the body, adds plastic cladding and lifts the driver about ten centimetres higher. It keeps the small-car footprint while offering the visibility and step-in height that buyers associate with an SUV.

The 3008 is the largest of the four in this comparison. It is longer and wider than the 2008, rides on a longer wheelbase, and its boot is the biggest of the group. Rear passengers get more knee room, and the tailgate opening is designed for family loads. In France, the 3008 has been the volume seller of the four, which also means the used market is deep.

A simple rule: if parking width is the constraint, the 208 and 2008 fit where the 308 and 3008 do not. If rear-seat space and boot volume are the constraint, the order reverses.

What do hybrid and electric versions change in daily use?

Peugeot sells two distinct electrified families in these ranges, and they behave differently.

Mild hybrid, fitted to the 208 and 308, uses a small electric motor and a 48-volt battery. It cannot drive the car on electricity alone for long distances. Its effect is on restart, low-speed manoeuvring and fuel consumption in stop-start traffic. There is no charging cable and no change to the refuelling routine.

Plug-in hybrid, used in the 3008 and in the 408 fastback, has a larger battery that is charged from a socket. The 3008 hybrid rechargeable can cover short daily trips on electricity alone, with the petrol engine taking over on longer runs. The practical consequence is a routine: charge at home or at work, and the fuel bill depends on how often that happens. Without regular charging, a plug-in hybrid carries extra weight and returns consumption close to a conventional petrol model.

Battery electric, in the e-3008, removes the petrol engine entirely. Daily use changes in three ways: charging replaces refuelling, range depends on speed and temperature, and maintenance drops the oil and filter items. Peugeot publishes range figures per version, and those figures vary with wheel size and equipment level. For a buyer without a home charging point, the electric version is a harder case than for one with a driveway.

Across all three families, the trim level matters as much as the powertrain. Heated seats, larger wheels and panoramic roofs add weight and, on electric versions, reduce range.

What should you inspect on a used 3008?

The 3008 has been on French roads in large numbers since 2016, so the used stock spans several generations and facelifts. The inspection list is mechanical before it is cosmetic.

Start with the service history. A stamped book with dates and mileage is the baseline. Missing intervals on a diesel or a plug-in hybrid are a reason to walk away.

On the plug-in hybrid versions, ask for the state of health of the high-voltage battery and for any record of charging behaviour. A car that was rarely plugged in has lived a different life from one charged daily.

On diesel versions, check the exhaust treatment system: the particle filter and the AdBlue circuit are the recurring items. Short urban journeys are hard on both.

On the body, look at the tailgate and the rear bumper, which take the damage in city parking. On the interior, the touchscreen and the digital instrument panel are the parts that fail and that are expensive to replace outside warranty.

Tyres should match across an axle and carry a known brand. Uneven wear points to alignment work that was never done. Brake discs and pads are consumables; their condition tells you how the car was driven.

Finally, verify the registration document against the car's identification number, and check that the vehicle has no outstanding finance or accident record. French buyers can request the history through official channels, and a seller who resists that request is telling you something.

Which one fits a given use case?

For a single driver in a city with on-street parking, the 208 is the practical answer, and the mild-hybrid version reduces consumption in traffic without adding a charging routine.

For a couple doing regular motorway trips, the 308 or 308 SW offers a lower, more stable ride and a boot that swallows luggage. The SW is the version to look at if the rear seats are used by passengers and the boot by cargo at the same time.

For a household that wants the higher seating position without a large footprint, the 2008 is the compromise. It is a small car with a raised body, and it drives like one.

For a family with two children and regular long journeys, the 3008 is the one that fits, in petrol, plug-in hybrid or electric form depending on charging access. The e-3008 makes sense where a home charger exists. The plug-in hybrid makes sense where daily distances are short and charging is possible. The petrol version remains the simplest option where neither applies.

What does the French market add to the decision?

France applies a weight-based tax to new vehicles and a bonus-malus system tied to CO2 emissions. These rules change the on-road price of the same model depending on version and year, and they have shifted buyers toward lighter trims and electrified powertrains. A buyer comparing a 2008 petrol with a 3008 plug-in hybrid is not comparing sticker prices alone; the registration cost differs.

Insurance groups also differ across the four ranges, and the 3008 sits higher than the 208. For a young driver, that gap can exceed the fuel saving of a smaller engine.

The used market reflects all of this. Diesel 3008s are abundant and priced accordingly, while recent electric and plug-in versions hold value differently. Checking current listings by version, mileage and region gives a realistic price band before any negotiation.

FAQ

Is the 2008 just a raised 208? Mechanically it shares the base, but the body, suspension, seating position and equipment lists differ. It is a distinct model with its own price structure.

Can a plug-in hybrid 3008 run without charging? It can, on petrol, but it then carries battery weight without the benefit. Regular charging is what makes the version worthwhile.

What is the main risk on a used 3008? An incomplete service history on a diesel or plug-in hybrid, and unrepaired damage to the tailgate and rear bumper.

Does the e-3008 need a home charger? Not strictly, but daily use without one depends on public charging, which adds time and cost to the routine.