Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP MPV

What’s it like?

The 3008 is not the most beauteous vehicle, what with its jutting grille, slightly too-narrow track and ordinary-looking rear end, but your spirits will lift when you climb inside, where you’ll be impressed by an interior of a quality to challenge plenty of premium-class machines for fit, finish, quality of materials and tactility. The dashboard is pretty pleasing piece of architecture too.

Space is plentiful up front, marginally less generous in the rear for feet and knees, if entirely adequate, while loading arrangements are fairly versatile. You’ll find a removable false floor in the boot which can be positioned at three different altitudes with an ingenious, single-handed action, one height positioning it level with the lower half of the two-piece tailgate. The split rear seat can be flopped flat using boot-mounted releases, and the front passenger seat backrest can be similarly felled for long loads.

The sophistication of the 3008's interior is matched by its manners on the road, its ride quality, noise suppression and general comfort all suitable for many-houred journeys, while its turbo motor spins with smooth enthusiasm to 62mph in 8.9sec, and well past the danger paint to almost 7000rpm.

Such dynamism is more appropriate than its looks suggest, because the standard-fit roll-control system not only maintains the Peugeot’s posture closer to the perpendicalar but, better still for the keen, allows it to resist the mid-bend build-up of understeer with encouraging effectiveness. So it promises slightly more entertainment for the parent who still enjoys bend-bashing thrills when the family are absent.

Should I buy one?

If you don’t mind the looks - and those more familiar with the 3008, admittedly wearers of lion-branded garmentry, claim that its look mellows with familiarity - this cross-over has quite a lot going for it.

There’s plentiful room provided you don’t need seven seats, there’s a good view out for all, its interior finish will provide as much pleasure as its deftly civilised road manners and the sprightly performance of this 1.6 THP motor.

Most buyers will go for the economic attractions of the 1.6 HDI, but this petrol engine is tempting, especially in combination with that roll control system if you like a brisk drive between bouts of load lugging.