Separating the Skoda Karoq and the Peugeot 3008 is a question of priorities
cabins, allowing easy entry/egress, more than sufficient space for four adults and reasonable luggage capacity. Note, though, that only the Euros provide HVAC outlets at the rear of the front centre console.
At least the Eclipse Cross recovers a little with an appealing and functional dashboard that is a big stride forward for the marque thanks to its layered design symmetry, easy usability, clear controls, ample storage and quality finish. Kids will most likely appreciate the high rear seating while there’s heaps of leg and foot room for bigger folk out back. But clangy column stalks, inadequate thigh support, a flat rear bench, limited rear headroom and a taillight design that bisects the rear-window view are drawbacks. Additionally, the twin-sunroof blinds and parcel shelf rattle, and the adaptive cruise control’s haphazard operation makes it seem like the driver is intoxicated.
After all that, the Qashqai feels like the Eclipse Cross antidote, with cushy seating, a low-slung dash, ultra-clear dials and what might be the coolest new steering wheel ever. Vision out is a little impeded by fat pillars and window-line up-kick, and the multimedia graphics seem comically outdated, but that glass roof’s ability to let light flood in can raise the lowest spirits on a dull day.
We’ll go out on a limb and declare the Karoq’s dash the best Mqb-era effort yet, in terms of design and presentation this side of an Audi. With the Premium Pack, there’s a cohesiveness and elegance that elevates it even above lower-line Tiguans, while firmly supportive seats, deep glass areas and the modular convenience of the removable (if heavy) individual rear chairs is second-to-none. Which all makes the noisy, jittery urban ride all the more disappointing.
Finally, we come to the 3008. Even in basic Active guise, the Peugeot’s trim and design are imaginative, intriguing and yet, after a period of familiarisation, completely user-friendly. Changeable digital instrumentation, superbly supportive seats and muted noise intrusion elevates the experience to a premium level, though some cheap plastics and the odd rattle do let the side down.
By now it should be clear that the Mitsubishi finishes a resounding last, despite its newness, rousing performance and high equipment level. Sub-par handling and an ill-sorted ride means the Eclipse Cross Exceed front-driver feels dynamically half-baked.
On the other hand, we’d happily recommend the Qashqai, and we can see why the 11-year-old formula remains so popular today. But the Nissan deserves a much better powertrain.
The buying public’s high esteem for the Qashqai might translate to market leadership among this SUV clique, but the Skoda and Peugeot are so much more than the left-field alternatives that their sales figures might suggest.
Separating the Karoq and the 3008 is a question of priorities, for the Skoda’s irrefutably longer list of standard features, substantially lower base pricing and rear-seat versatility must be weighed against the roomier Peugeot’s greater performance, economy, handling, ride and refinement. It’s also cheaper in the specification tested.
The French SUV ultimately has the edge over the capable Czech. Close as the two Euros are, our comparo revealed one more, final fun fact. The Peugeot 3008 is one of those rare cars that is greater than the sum of its parts.