CROSSOVERS are like the cat that had the cream this year.

While medium sized models are suffering in the salesrooms, the cross-over category is meeting a demand which is being driven by the buyers.

Essentially, a cross-over is two or more types of car in one model and in the case of the Peugeot 2008 Allure it brings together family hatch and MPV.

Launched in the summer of 2013, the Peugeot 2008 is a smaller stablemate to the 3008 and it's probably a more agile and affordable package for families, and it also comes with the Just Add Fuel leasing option, which is also gaining popularity.

A natural successor to the 207 SW estate, the five-door, five-seat 2008 Crossover sits between its 208 and 3008 stablemates in terms of overall size and carrying capacity so it will hold between 360 and 1194 litres depending on how the back seats are quickly flipped or used and utilizing some underfloor storage as well.

At the other end of the 2008 you have a range of petrol and diesel engines. They begin with a three cylinder 1.2 82bhp, anticipated to be the best seller for private buyers, but there is also a 120bhp 1.6, and the diesel series for now includes 68bhp 1.4 along with 92bhp 1.6 and a 115bhp 1.6, some with sequential 6sp automatic transmission.

There are four trim levels of Access+, Active, Allure and Feline and the range of optional and standard equipment depending on model includes advance grip control to give four-wheel-drive like traction, choice of consoles and interior lighting as well as a parallel self-parking and extracting system.

Prices range from £12,995 to £19,345 for the 19 models and an intelligent part-time grip control to all wheels is available on Allure and Feline models.

With a 16.5cm ground clearance the availability of the patented PSA Group grip control gives it real world ability to cope with mud, snow and sand for all year round practicality at the turn of a simple control on the central tunnel.

The well proven 1.6-litre engine with its new stop and start technology is a real delight with instant start up, strong pulling power, quiet character and potentially very good economy.

Without trying to be economical I managed to return over 56mpg on test, still some way off the fanciful published combined figure, but still respectable.

Remarkably too, it was achieved with only five-manual gears, not six and it begs the question how more frugal would it be with revised ratios and six in hand.

Steering and brakes operated smoothly and it handled well, gripping securely and never giving a moments concern on some very wet and damp surfaces.

Inside, you may think the 2008 would be too small for a family but we managed to easily accommodate a 6ft 3in man and still have room behind the front seats for children.

The high riding position is very good in traffic as you can see over the roofs of vehicles infront and in the country it gives you an opportunity to look over hedges which might otherwise obscure traffic or animals on the road ahead.

It's helped by the Allure's directional fog lights, automatic headlights and wipers, powered heated mirrors and self-dimming interior mirror. You also get a rear parking aid.

Visibility is helped by the big wipers front and back and automatic dual zone air conditioning.

Oddments space is good inside for a family with plenty of compartments, and the driver has a LED instrument display and stylish backlit laser cut headlining to the cabin.

The overall design effect is striking and stylish in what is after all a family car, and this also sets it apart from many rivals which tend towards utilitarian rather than sophistication.

Without the grip control, the Peugeot 2008 is like any other medium sized MPV, but go for this and you have a genuine year-round car which exudes refinement and you don't have to pay through the nose when it comes to running costs.

It is uncompromisingly good.