FOR a company that didn't initially make SUVs Peugeot has been making great strides since entering the fray.

Once upon a time the only Peugeot SUV you could get was a rebadged Mitsubishi but all that has changed with the French car maker having a trio to choose from - the 2008, 3008 and 5008.

The numbering logically indicates the 2008 is the smallest of the three and is essentially an expanded 208.

It is the second generation 2008 and feels like a far more grown-up vehicle than its predecessor.

That was an impressive creation to be fair and also proved extremely popular.

Its successor looks to follow in its footsteps and if anything should improve upon it.

Design-wise it's easy to see its 2008 DNA but the latest model has much more of a big car look and feel to it.

Looks-wise it has an imposing, deep and hard to ignore grille that simply commands attention.

In addition its profile manages to fuse familiar chunky SUV styling with some curves in all the right places. Overall it's a good blend.

The 2008 looks noticeably larger than the old version and the big car feel is very much evident on the inside too.

Extra length translates into a surprisingly generous amount of legroom and headroom for rear seat passengers and a generously sized boot.

The interior certainly has a feel of quality that belies its compact SUV status.

There's a great array of engines too - or should we say powertrains.

As well as the diesel and petrol options found in the 208 range there's also an all-electric e-2008.

As petrol engines have reclaimed their popularity I expect the three-cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech unit that's available in different guises will prove popular with the middle power variant the most popular of all.

There's three three-cylinder power options - 100, 130 or 155ps - and you can choose between six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions.

The diesel option is a 1.5-litre 100ps engine and the range starts at just over £20,000.

Trim levels are Active, Allure, GT Line and GT, with the two in the middle offering the best blend in terms of desirable equipment and value for money.

As mentioned already the interior feels classy and noticeably modern.

It features Peugeot's 3D-effect i-cockpit, characterised by a go-kart style small steering wheel. It once seemed odd but now it feels like it makes a lot of sense and you acclimatise very quickly to its compact size.

One thing which really impressed me was the 3.5-inch configurable 3D digital head-up display with hologram technology. It is a feature of Allure trim upwards.

Its practicality should also see the latest 2008 win fans. That roomy rear is augmented by a boot which has 434 litres of space. Fold the rear seats down and that extends to 1,467 litres.

This car was a GT Line model with the 1.5-litre diesel engine and would set you back £26,500.

That's roughly on a par price-wise with the mid-powered petrol.

The engine is smooth and refined and surprisingly quiet.

The 2008 offers a decent enough drive too. On the road it definitely has more of the feel of a hatchback than an SUV, taking the bends nicely with little if any evidence of pitch and roll.

In truth the additional ride height over a regular hatchback is modest rather than extreme so that is perhaps to be expected.

It rides nicely too - again with more of a composed feel than you might expect.

GT Line models come with automatic air conditioning, rear-seat USB ports, front parking sensors a rear-view camera and heated seats.

Impressive safety features include lane keeping assist, anti-lock brakes with electronic braking distribution and emergency braking assistance and driver attention warning.