THERE was a time when French car makers would have sniffed down their noses at the very idea of making an SUV.

I recall travelling to France in Range Rovers and Land Rover Discoverys and having a sense they were really something of an oddity on the other side of the Channel.

It was rare to see another one - certainly when one was in more rural areas of France off the beaten path.

However a lot has changed in the automotive industry since then and SUVs and crossovers have become all the rage.

Everyone is now in on the act and put simply if you're a manufacturers that's not making one then you're missing out.

Peugeot Citroen's first venture into SUV/crossover territory was more of a toe in the water than a full-scale jump into the sea.

The French car giant got into bed with Mitsubishi and launched the 4007 and Citroen C-Aircross.

A rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander it was obviously good but served as something of a stop-gap.

Another joint venture saw the Peugeot 4008 and Citroen C4 Aircross based on the smaller Mitsubishi ASX.

The 3008 isn't Peugeot's first 3008, there was a previous generation model but it bears little resemblance to the model launched this year, which won the coveted European Car of the Year award on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show.

I quite liked the old 3008, even if looks-wise it was something of a curious halfway house between an MPV and an SUV.

The latest 3008 is definitely more SUV-like. Indeed it's quite a striking looking vehicle that combines the traditional SUV boxy blueprint with some very modern flowing design lines - quite a feat to pull off.

If it looks good on the outside on the inside the 3008 is a real ‘tour de force' for want of an apt French expression.

The 3008 features Peugeot's now familiar iCockpit. The small steering wheel might not be to all tastes but I've grown to rather like it.

There's also a full digital display screen which is very intuitive and easy to feel comfortable with. Unlike some Peugeots you don't control virtually every in-car function from the screen and it works in tandem with a set of classy looking switches just below the screen.

As with most Peugeots there's an extensive choice of petrol and diesel engines.

Trim levels start with Active and progress through Allure and GT Line to GT.

All models come generously equipped but this top of the range 180bhp GT Line automatic model comes with just about every bell and whistle one could wish for though it also has a much more premium price tag at £33,695.

However you also get a panoramic opening glass sunroof, full leather upholstery and a massaging driver's seat.

To be fair it has a distinct premium feel and many of the cabin features and trim could even give the likes of Audi a run for their money.

I liked it in auto guise too, even if the joystick-style gear selector took a little getting used to.

3008 ownership can come a lot cheaper, with an entry-level model costing more than £10,000 less.

Interestingly there's no four-wheel drive option for the 3008. It's just front-wheel drive with added capability coming courtesy of Peugeot's Grip Control system.

The 3008 boasts a spacious cabin, perfect for the needs of most families and a generously sized boot too (520 litres).