Peugeot 3008 vs SEAT Ateca
Turbo petrol SUVS go head-to-head. Which is our favourite?
THE UK’S fascination with SUVS is still in full swing, but within the sea of new models arriving, the tide is turning. While diesel used to dominate the mid-size off-roader sector, the Dieselgate emissions scandal planted the seed of doubt in some buyers, with many turning to downsized petrol alternatives like this duo here.
Unless you drive a lot, a turbocharged petrol car could work in your favour. The fuel is still cheaper than diesel at the pumps, and the likes of the Peugeot 3008 1.2 Puretech delivers decent economy on paper.
We’re putting this French fancy head to head with its closest rival, the SEAT Ateca 1.0 TSI, to see which is the better green alternative to a diesel SUV. The SEAT has already seen off the challenge from rival petrol-powered crossovers, beating the Toyota C-HR and Nissan Qashqai (Issue 1,457). But can the upmarket 3008 blend its premium feel with enough petrol performance to overcome the Ateca?
The 3008 stands a good chance, as this second-generation version is certainly more convincing than its predecessor. Peugeot fully redesigned this model, taking it from a dowdy MPV to a full-on stylish SUV, with new underpinnings, a revised engine line-up and a nicely crafted interior.
If it’s to take on the Ateca and win, the 3008 will also have to bolster the qualities listed above with enough practicality to stand up to the rigours of family life, while delivering plenty of comfort and technology wrapped up in a convincing package.