A COUPLE of months ago I was amazed to find how good the big Peugeot 5008 people carrier with the company's latest 1.2 turbo petrol engine.

And now I've driven the 3008 crossover with the same superb little power unit and thoroughly enjoyed it.

All the car makers are heading down this route of smaller engines with high power outputs to help improve economy in larger cars and at the same time, reduce the all-important emissions.

Peugeot has an absolutely brilliant offering that puts it right up there with the very best, and also makes a nonsense - for most people - of buying a diesel.

Because when everything is taken into account, and despite better economy, it takes more than six years for the buyer of the 1.6 diesel to break even with this petrol.

I drove theActive PureTech model inthe middle of the range which comes with most things families would need.

The way it drives is a revelation. There are no gaps in the performance at all, with a zero to 62mph time of under 11 seconds, and real economy close to 40mpg with care.

It will trickle through town with the engine at tickover in higher gears and pull away, but best acceleration starts at 1500 revs, where it really begins to pull hard.

It has a red line of 6,000, but there's never any need to go there. When hustling along, there's enough urge from 2,000 revs to be able to change up at 3,000 revs.

The 1.2 is smooth and quiet at normal speeds, only making a little more sweet sound at higher revs.

The six-speed gearbox has a reasonably slick change, and the clutch is very light. Good power steering takes all the strain at slow speeds and still leaves plenty of feel as speed rises too.

The ride is very comfortable over all surfaces, only slightly spoiled by a sideways rocking motion.

Even in town is it comfortable over the worst of the often-repaired surfaces we all face every day.

And despite that comfort, which can sometimes affect handling and road holding, it doesn't here.

The 3008 grips very well, doesn't roll too much and is generally very safe and sure.

Inside, there is plenty of room for five, but four would be more comfortable over a long haul.