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CAR OF THE WEEK: Peugeot 3008 GT BlueHDi 180, which has a price range of £33,695 (image credit: Carbuyer)

AFTER SEVEN days with the new Peugeot 3008 GT, I can see exactly why it has earned rave reviews.

This impressive vehicle was only launched in January, but already it has to be considered one of cars of the year.

Apart from looking good, my test drive came in standout sunset copper/nera black and turned heads every time I hit the road. Whether you’re a fan of the Peugeot 3008’s looks or not, one thing’s for sure: the French firm has certainly tried to give its small SUV a striking appearance.

Engines choices are wide. There’s a 128bhp 1.2-litre petrol unit. You also get a 163bhp 1.6-litre petrol choice as an automatic only. Three diesels are available. The 1.6-litre comes in either 99bhp or 118bhp outputs. It’s a flexible engine that might not be particularly fast, but it does offer strong real-world pace and will pull the car ably even when fully loaded. There are two 2.0-litre diesels, which come in outputs of 148bhp – only with a manual transmission – and 178bhp – only with an automatic.

My particular Peugeot raced from standstill to 60 mph in what appeared to be a blink of an eye, or 8.9 seconds to be precise.

One of many highlights of the 3008 GT is the cockpit. It is probably the best Peugeot has ever made, with a stylish, modern design and great ergonomics, plus the addition of an attractive eight-inch infotainment display above the dashboard that works well. Every 3008 GT is fitted with the brand’s 12.3-inch ‘i-Cockpit’ digital instrument display, a feature that’s usually found on the options list, even with premium manufacturers.

The drive was silky smooth, with the auto box doing its thing with a style and slickness worthy of a much more lauded manufacturer. My longest run in this Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was from London to West Sussex to take in the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The trip was effortless and comfortable at the same time.

Practicality is also taken care of, with plenty of space in the front, and enough room in the rear seats for two adults, but three might get uncomfortable back there after a while. Boasting a 520-litre boot, the 3008 is a better load-lugger than the Nissan Qashqai, while safety is top-notch thanks to a five-star crash-test score from Euro NCAP.

I evaluated Peugeot’s old 3008 and it pales in comparison.

The French manufacturer has made a massive statement with this new vehicle. The SUV market is highly competitive and Peugeot have rocketed to the top of the charts with this offering.

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