Gac Emzoom vs Peugeot 3008

What's the difference?

Candidly, I really didn’t want to like the Emzoom. I think Australia has too many car brands already and the market is in danger of becoming overwhelmed with mediocre products at bargain prices that will squeeze out better but more expensive products.

But I cannot help but really be impressed by what GAC is offering. There’s no doubt the brand faces a major challenge expanding its dealership network to grow sales, but if it continues to deliver vehicles as nice as the Emzoom then it at least has a shot.

Not only is it affordable but it has style, space and is enjoyable to drive. For anyone in the market for a small SUV or just a sub-$30k new car, this should definitely be on your short-list.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

The new Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid might not be the most spacious SUV for passengers, but it makes up for it with ample boot space and a standout design. It’s fresh-faced, interesting and packed with comfort features that elevate the everyday driving experience.

Is it expensive? Absolutely. But it also delivers a genuinely premium cabin that many rivals can’t match, along with refined on-road manners and efficiency that make it a pleasure to drive.

It doesn’t hit every note perfectly but there’s definitely a melody here worth listening to.

Unfortunately one of the common themes for many of the new Chinese brands entering the Australian market is inoffensive but uninteresting design. The cars tend to be quite generic and lacking in style and statement.

That’s not the case with the Emzoom, which stands out with its bold, angular design that really sets it apart from its direct rivals. For a brand looking to make an immediate impression and attract a new demographic, GAC has made a strong opening move with the Emzoom.

It’s not limited to the exterior either, with an equally design-forward cabin. There’s only a smallish 7.0-inch LCD instrument display integrated into a wider panel, but it’s all housed within a single unit alongside the 14.6-inch multimedia display to create a hi-tech look.

Yes, there are other elements from rival brands that are evident in the design, but borrowing a few cues from other places isn’t something unique to GAC and the overall look and feel of the Emzoom is very likeable.

The third-generation Peugeot 3008 boasts a striking silhouette, with coupe-like lines at the rear and well-proportioned overall dimensions that give it a confident, refined stance.

Signature Peugeot elements like the claw-inspired LED headlights and tail-lights lend it a distinctive, modern edge, which elevates its presence in a crowded SUV segment.

That said, the extensive use of black plastic cladding around the lower body detracts from the otherwise premium exterior and feels out of place.

Step inside and the cabin is easily one of the most captivating interiors I've been in recently. There's real design flair here: a multi-level centre console, sculpted ambient lighting panels that highlight the angular dashboard, and a rich, eclectic mix of materials. From quilted Nappa leather seats to textured grey knit fabric and brushed aluminium accents, it’s a refreshingly bold and beautifully executed space.

Add the panoramic sunroof and long equipment list, it's a cabin that you'll like to spend a lot of time in.

The Emzoom offers a surprisingly spacious interior for a small SUV. 

We were required to travel with four adult occupants at one stage and even in the back seat there was enough room for this six-foot tall reviewer to ride comfortably.

It feels more spacious thanks to the panoramic sunroof which can let in a load of natural light and get rid of the cramped feeling you sometimes have in these smaller models, particularly in the back seats.

While the seats are trimmed in PVC, they look and feel fine for this price point, and the driver’s seat is ventilated and has six-way power adjustment.

There are two USB ports in the front (one A and one C) as well as a 12V outlet, and there’s one USB-A in the rear.

The boot measures 341 litres, which is a respectable size for this type of SUV. While the inclusion of a power tailgate is a very nice touch at this price and makes life easier.

The best part of the cabin is easily up front. There's generous space, and the seats are comfortable, even before you engage any of their functions. Longer trips have been a dream. I particularly enjoyed the massage settings, though the session durations felt a bit inconsistent.

Storage in the front is cleverly designed, with plenty of options: a sunglasses holder, a large glovebox, a phone shelf, a deep centre console and ample drink holders. It’s easy to keep the space tidy and organised.

Charging options are solid, with two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad.

The updated multimedia system has a screen that is wider than it's tall, making the icons small and easy to miss while on the go. I did tap the wrong one a few times!

That said, I appreciated the customisable quick-access and instrument panels, and connecting to the wireless Apple CarPlay was seamless. The touchscreen can be a little laggy, but overall the system is functional and intuitive once you're used to it.

Owing to its relatively short 4542mm length, rear legroom is tight, and the bench isn’t wide enough to comfortably seat three adults over long distances. This just makes it feel cramped for a mid-size SUV and it's something my eight-year old noticed straight away.

The seats are well-padded, though, and rear amenities are strong with directional air vents, heated outboard seats, two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and the usual cupholders and map pockets.

Boot space is generous at 520L with a flat load floor. The 48-volt battery means there's no spare tyre, but the powered tailgate with kick-function was a lifesaver during errand runs this week. For more flexibility, the rear row folds in a 40/20/40 split.

The new 3008 has a streamlined line-up of only two grades, at least for now, and we’re in the flagship GT Premium Hybrid for this review.

The third-generation 3008 has a new mild-hybrid powertrain, which pairs a turbocharged petrol three-cylinder engine with a small electric motor and a 48-volt battery. A fully electric version exists overseas but is yet to be confirmed for Australia.

Our test model competes with popular mid-size SUV rivals like the Mazda CX-5 Akera, which starts at $55,150 before on-road costs, and the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD, which sits at $51,410.

With its $64,990 price tag, the new 3008 GT Premium Hybrid is the most expensive option, which might only appeal to fans of the brand.

However, the GT Premium is very well-specified with massaging and heating functions for the electric front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a 10-speaker Focal sound system and a 3D sat nav with connected services, where you can get information like local car park pricing, as well as over-the-air updates.

Other premium features include ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats, which are new for this model.

But the biggest change inside is the new 21-inch display, which houses the updated multimedia system and digital instrument cluster.

There are other new features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an upgraded panel for your quick access menu widgets (up to 10 widgets can be customised).

Other features include a handsfree powered tailgate with kick functionality, keyless entry and start, four USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a tyre repair kit, a panoramic sunroof and surrounding ambient lighting.

Bucking the trend for electrification, the Emzoom is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 125kW/270Nm. This provides adequate performance for a small SUV, without offering anything special.

The engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which sends its power to the front wheels. More on that set-up under ‘Driving’...

All grades of the 3008 are powered by the same mild-hybrid setup, featuring a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that's paired with a small electric motor and a 48-volt battery. Power is sent through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the system delivering combined outputs of 100kW of power and 230Nm of torque.

Performance is modest, with a 0-100km/h sprint time taking 10.2 seconds. It’s perfectly adequate for everyday driving around town and in traffic, but the lack of urgency becomes more noticeable when overtaking at highway speeds. Still, the hybrid system offers smoother low-speed acceleration and improved efficiency over the outgoing petrol-only model.

Slightly confusingly GAC quotes a claimed combined urban/extra urban figure of 6.6L/100km, but based on the WLTC testing protocol, which is similar but marginally different to the more common and real-world-focused WLTP.

However, in our actual real-world test drive we instead saw a return of 7.6L/100km, so expect to use slightly more than the claim, regardless of testing protocols.

The Emzoom has a 47-litre fuel tank, which means if you can hit the claimed economy, you’ll have a range of just over 700km on a single tank. Our real-world average would still be good for more than 600km, which is a respectable range for what is designed to be a city-friendly SUV. 

The new mild-hybrid powertrain brings a solid improvement to efficiency, with an official combined fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km. Paired with a 55-litre fuel tank, that delivers a theoretical driving range of up to 1122km, which is an impressive figure for a mid-size SUV.

Over the past week, I’ve done a mix of longer highway drives, urban errands and the usual big grocery hauls. My real-world average came in at 6.1L/100km, which is still a strong result for this segment.

The system also features regenerative braking, which while not customisable, is noticeable in everyday driving. It kicks in strongly enough to give the sensation of heavy braking at times, particularly in city traffic and it reminds you that it's working behind the scenes to recover energy.

What makes the Emzoom really impressive, particularly at its price, is the way it drives. GAC has been in partnership with both Toyota and Honda in China for decades, and clearly the brand has been paying attention to how those more established global brands do things.

The net result is a small SUV that is genuinely enjoyable to drive and a far cry from the dull, unresolved offerings from other Chinese newcomers.

The Emzoom’s ride is nothing short of remarkable, given this is an all-new brand to Australia. It managed to soak up some very nasty-looking bumps without any notable fuss in the cabin. There is still some fine-tuning that could be done to make it class-leading in terms of both comfort and responsiveness, but the overall first impression is very, very positive.

It’s a similar story for the steering, with responsiveness and good weighting, not the occasionally numb and dull steering other Chinese competition offer up. 

The engine is fine, nothing special to report, it does the job steadily but does need to be worked hard at times. The gearbox, on the other hand, is more notable.

While a dual-clutch transmission is better on paper, providing faster gear changes for more responsive driving and lower fuel consumption, in practical terms they can be more challenging to operate smoothly.

That’s very much the case with the Emzoom, with the clutch tending to ‘slip’ when you take-off from standstill, often resulting in wheel spin - and a more dramatic-sounding departure than you intended. 

This is probably not helped by the tyres, a Chinese brand that this reviewer had never experienced before but felt light on grip.

Once on the move, it works well enough, although occasionally it gets caught between gears when you’re trying to drive more spiritedly, but most of the time it’s fine.

By far the biggest foible of the Emzoom is the noise. GAC clearly saved money on what’s known in the business as ‘NVH’ (or noise, vibration and harshness), with a noticeable amount of tyre roar, wind noise from mirrors and poor sound deadening underneath.

It’s not ideal but there was always going to be a compromise to get this type of SUV for this price.

The 3008 has been genuinely enjoyable to drive. It’s easy to handle, with responsive steering and a stable, confident feel at higher speeds. The transmission generally keeps the powertrain in the right gear, only occasionally over-revving during open-road driving.

Power delivery is prompt enough for stop-start traffic and quick city lane changes. That said, there's a noticeable dip in performance when overtaking on the highway and it’s a clear reminder that this isn’t a high-output powertrain.

Visibility is generally good, though the narrow rear window can limit your view, especially when passengers or a child seat are in the back. Still, the pillars didn’t obstruct my view from the driver’s seat.

The suspension is on the firmer side, so you will feel the larger bumps, but it strikes a decent balance for everyday driving.

There’s a bit of body roll when cornering, which prevents it from feeling as sporty as its coupe-inspired design might suggest.

Parking is a breeze thanks to the clear 360-degree camera system, ample sensors and a tight 10.64m turning circle. My only gripe is that the rear camera points slightly downward, which can make the view feel narrower than expected.

At the time of writing, the 3008 is untested and unrated by ANCAP, which may be a consideration for some buyers. It also features just six airbags, missing a front centre airbag — a growing standard in many newer rivals.

On the plus side, Peugeot has added several useful driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, long-range blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. 

Other standard features include autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping aid, lane-following assist, driver attention alert and monitoring, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality.

There are also child locks on the rear doors, an intelligent seatbelt reminder, front passenger detection and tyre pressure monitoring. Most of these systems operate quietly in the background and don’t feel overly intrusive, which I always appreciate.

However, I did encounter a concern with the autonomous emergency braking system. During a close call when another driver blew through a roundabout in front of me, the system didn’t alert or react — no sounds, no warnings. It was a surprising omission, especially in a moment where you’d expect the tech to step in.

The rear row has ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tether anchor points but two seats will fit best.

GAC has tried to be proactive and match the market with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, but strangely offers an even longer warranty for its electric and plug-in hybrid models.

It is an unusual decision and raises question marks over the longevity of its internal combustion engine models for no apparent reason.

As we wrote when we tested the Aion V, GAC is starting from scratch in Australia with less than a dozen dealers set to operate in the first 12 months. That means limited opportunities to both buy and service a GAC vehicle.

The 3008 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is okay but now feels a bit basic, especially when rivals like Nissan offer up to 10 years of coverage (under specific servicing conditions).

Peugeot also provides a five-year capped-price servicing plan, or you can opt to pre-purchase servicing for three, four or five years. The five-year pre-paid plan comes in at $1890, which works out to be more affordable than sticking with the capped-price option.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first. That’s quite generous, particularly if you rack up a lot of kilometres annually.