The family SUV market is fiercely competitive, with manufacturers constantly evolving their offerings to attract buyers seeking the perfect blend of style, practicality, and value. Two contenders in this space are the Peugeot 3008 and Ford Kuga, both of which approach the modern crossover formula differently. The Peugeot 3008, now in its third generation since 2024, has transformed from its original 2009 MPV-crossover hybrid into a sleek, coupe-SUV with dramatic styling and a focus on premium interior design. Meanwhile, the Ford Kuga, which arrived in its current form in 2020, emphasises driving dynamics and practical versatility whilst offering a comprehensive range of powertrains.
Both vehicles target families seeking an SUV that delivers on multiple fronts, yet they take markedly different approaches to achieving this goal. The 3008 prioritises visual impact and interior luxury, featuring Peugeot's distinctive i-Cockpit design and a striking exterior that wouldn't look out of place in a high-end car park. The Kuga, conversely, focuses on delivering Ford's traditional strengths of engaging driving dynamics and practical functionality, wrapped in a more conventional but still appealing package.
Peugeot 3008 vs Ford Kuga
Practicality
The Peugeot 3008's interior immediately sets it apart with its striking design and premium materials. The cabin showcases a sophisticated blend of textures, colours, and shapes that create an upmarket ambience rarely seen in this price bracket. The massive 21-inch curved infotainment display dominates the dashboard, whilst multicoloured ambient lighting adds to the premium feel - particularly in GT trim where it extends across the dashboard and door tops. Despite concerns about Peugeot's trademark i-Cockpit driving position, the latest 3008 provides sufficient adjustment for most drivers to find a comfortable seating position, though the octagonal steering wheel shape may prove irritating during parking manoeuvres.
Space-wise, the 3008 performs admirably despite its coupe-like roofline. Front occupants enjoy generous accommodation, whilst rear passengers benefit from adequate headroom and genuinely generous legroom. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats can accommodate three passengers for shorter journeys, though the cabin width limits long-distance comfort for three adults. The boot offers 588 litres of capacity, which appears competitive on paper, though the actual usable space feels somewhat smaller than this figure suggests. The two-level boot floor provides flexibility - the lower setting maximises capacity but creates a loading lip, whilst the higher position provides underfloor storage and eliminates the lip when the rear seats are folded.
The Ford Kuga takes a more conventional approach to interior design, prioritising functionality over visual drama. The cabin feels solidly constructed but lacks the premium materials and sophisticated design elements found in the Peugeot. The dashboard features harder, shinier plastics that feel somewhat utilitarian, though build quality remains sound. The driving position is more traditional than the 3008's, with good visibility marred only by thick A-pillars at junctions. All models include lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat, ensuring reasonable comfort across the range.
Interior space in the Kuga proves adequate for family use, with comfortable accommodation for adults in both front and rear seats. The sliding rear seats represent a practical advantage over the 3008, allowing owners to prioritise either passenger legroom or boot space as needed. Boot capacity varies depending on powertrain choice - conventional models offer 475 litres with seats in their rearmost position, whilst the plug-in hybrid manages 411 litres due to battery packaging. Whilst these figures trail some competitors like the Skoda Karoq (521-588 litres), they remain sufficient for most family requirements.
For families prioritising interior ambience and design sophistication, the Peugeot 3008 has a clear advantage with its premium materials and striking layout. However, the Ford Kuga's sliding rear seats and more conventional ergonomics may appeal to those valuing practical flexibility over visual drama.
Driving Impressions
The Peugeot 3008's driving experience represents a step backwards from its well-regarded predecessor. The ride quality has become noticeably firmer, transmitting more road surface imperfections to passengers and making it less comfortable than many family SUV rivals. Body control has also deteriorated, with the car feeling heavier and less agile through corners, whilst the steering lacks the sharpness and feedback that characterised the previous generation. The small steering wheel creates an illusion of quick responses, but in reality, initial steering inputs feel lazy and disconnected from the road.
The engine range begins with a 134bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol unit paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. Performance proves disappointing, with the 0-62mph time of 10.2 seconds feeling optimistic, whilst the powertrain's ponderous responses create frustrating delays between throttle inputs and acceleration. The automatic gearbox compounds these issues by being slow to select appropriate ratios, often defaulting to low gears that send engine revs soaring without delivering proportional forward momentum. A 192bhp plug-in hybrid variant combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with electric assistance, offering a 21kWh battery for up to 55 miles of electric range and a more respectable 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds.
The Ford Kuga delivers a more engaging driving experience that upholds Ford's reputation for dynamic excellence. The steering feels direct and well-weighted, encouraging confident cornering despite the car's SUV proportions. Body roll is well-controlled, allowing drivers to tackle favourite roads with enthusiasm whilst maintaining family-friendly comfort levels. The suspension strikes an impressive balance between handling precision and ride comfort, absorbing most road imperfections without compromising body control. Wind and road noise remain well-suppressed, contributing to a refined long-distance cruising experience.
Ford offers a comprehensive engine range starting with 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol units producing either 120bhp or 150bhp, alongside 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesels ranging from 120bhp to 190bhp – although the diesels were only available on sale for a short period following the car's launch. The range-topping 190bhp diesel includes four-wheel drive, whilst other variants remain front-wheel drive for efficiency. The standout powertrain is the plug-in hybrid, combining petrol and electric power for 225bhp total output whilst achieving over 200mpg in official testing. This PHEV variant offers 35 miles of electric range and represents the most compelling choice for many buyers, particularly company car users.
The Ford Kuga clearly outperforms the Peugeot 3008 in driving dynamics, offering superior ride comfort, handling precision, and powertrain refinement. The Kuga's broader engine range also provides more choice for different usage patterns, making it the more accomplished driver's car.
Technology and Equipment
The Peugeot 3008's technology centrepiece is its impressive 21-inch curved display that spans the dashboard width. The right portion serves as the driver's instrument cluster, whilst the left section functions as the central touchscreen, both offering customisable layouts. The innovative i-Toggles system beneath the main screen provides customisable shortcuts to frequently used functions, significantly improving usability compared to many contemporary infotainment systems. Standard features across both Allure and GT trims include DAB radio, Bluetooth, wireless smartphone charging, native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus 'OK Peugeot' voice commands.
Equipment levels prove generous across the 3008 range. Allure models include LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, rear privacy glass, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, part-leather upholstery, keyless entry and start, automatic lights and wipers, electrically adjustable mirrors, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. GT variants add 20-inch alloys, black roof, additional styling elements, heated steering wheel and front seats, driver lumbar adjustment, extended ambient lighting, front parking sensors, adaptive high beam, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, and a hands-free powered tailgate.
However, the 3008's system isn't without frustrations. Temperature controls don't remain permanently visible on the central screen, requiring users to dedicate a shortcut to ventilation functions. Screen animations during transitions can be irritatingly slow, whilst touch sensitivity proves inconsistent, often requiring multiple attempts to register inputs successfully.
The Ford Kuga adopts a more conventional approach to technology, featuring Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen mounted high in the dashboard for easy viewing. The system proves straightforward to use and includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility as standard across all trim levels. Even entry-level Zetec models receive air conditioning, heated windscreen, electric windows, and front and rear parking sensors, ensuring no variant feels poorly equipped.
Titanium Edition models add LED headlamps, powered tailgate, climate control, reversing camera, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and keyless entry. ST Line Edition variants include the same equipment plus sporty exterior styling and interior trim, whilst ST Line X adds heated steering wheel and seats (front and rear). The range-topping Vignale features hexagonal quilted leather seats, unique grille and trim, plus standard metallic paint. All Kuga models achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist fitted as standard.
The Peugeot 3008 impresses with its cutting-edge display technology and generous standard equipment, particularly the innovative i-Toggles system that enhances usability. However, the Ford Kuga's more conventional approach proves less frustrating in daily use, offering reliable functionality without the 3008's occasional technological hiccups.
Running Costs
The Peugeot 3008's mild-hybrid system provides minimal electric assistance, with the 1.2-litre petrol engine managing only yards of electric-only propulsion at parking speeds. Official WLTP combined consumption is 52.5mpg, which represents reasonable efficiency for a non-plug-in hybrid system. The plug-in hybrid variant offers dramatically different running cost potential, with its 21kWh battery enabling up to 55 miles of electric range and an official combined figure of 356.2mpg. However real-world fuel consumption depends entirely on usage patterns and your charging habits.
For optimal plug-in hybrid efficiency, owners must charge regularly and keep journeys within electric range. Without consistent charging or during longer trips requiring extended petrol engine use, fuel costs can become surprisingly high due to the additional battery weight and reduced electric assistance.
The Ford Kuga's plug-in hybrid represents the standout choice for company car drivers, with its 35-mile electric range and 32g/km CO2 emissions placing it in the 10% benefit-in-kind tax band. This results in significantly lower tax bills compared to conventional powertrains - approximately one-third of the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol and just over a quarter of the 187bhp diesel's BIK liability. The official combined consumption figure of 201.8mpg compares favourably with competitors like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's 139.7mpg.
For high-mileage drivers or those unable to charge regularly, the Kuga's diesel engines prove more practical. The 187bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue with automatic transmission and four-wheel drive achieves 46.3-47.9mpg, whilst the 148bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue mild-hybrid manages 54.3-56.5mpg. The entry-level 118bhp 1.5-litre EcoBlue delivers similar efficiency at 54.3-55.4mpg with manual transmission, though automatic versions prove slightly thirstier. Petrol variants achieve 41.5-42.2mpg in base Zetec specification.
Insurance costs favour the Kuga's entry-level petrol (group 10) over equivalent competitors, with higher-powered EcoBoost variants ranging from groups 14-19. Diesel models span groups 14-21, whilst the PHEV sits in groups 19-21.
The Ford Kuga offers superior running cost flexibility, with its plug-in hybrid delivering exceptional company car tax benefits whilst the diesel range provides genuine high-mileage efficiency. The Peugeot 3008's limited powertrain options and less impressive real-world economy figures make it less compelling for cost-conscious buyers.
Verdict
The Peugeot 3008 and Ford Kuga represent two distinct philosophies in the family SUV market, each with clear strengths that will appeal to different buyers. The Peugeot excels in areas that create immediate emotional appeal - its striking exterior design, premium interior materials, and sophisticated technology create a genuine sense of occasion that few rivals can match. The innovative i-Toggles infotainment system and generous standard equipment across both trim levels also demonstrate Peugeot's commitment to delivering perceived value and technological advancement.
However, the Ford Kuga proves more accomplished in the fundamental areas that matter for daily family-car duties.
