2015 Peugeot 3008 | new car sales price

Peugeot's high-riding 3008 hatch has been transformed into a full-blown SUV.

Well, maybe just blown up a bit, because it remains front-wheel drive so we wouldn’t be taking it off road any time soon.

But it’s now officially recognised as an SUV. Go figure.

The maker claims the 3008 has always qualified as an SUV but with the arrival of an updated model it decided to have that status ratified by industry gamekeeper, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

The mid-life makeover rationalises the 3008 to one better equipped model, with new styling front and rear, standard satnav and rear-view camera and concealed underfloor storage.

It’s available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine or 2.0-litre turbodiesel, both of which carry over from the previous model. The transmission is a six-speed auto.

The engines provide energetic performance and the car handles well too

The petrol engine is shared with BMW and powers a Mini variant.

Prices take a $1000 cut — the petrol model is from $35,490 and the diesel $38,990. Premium paint adds $990.

Get aboard and there are some surprises — the engines provide energetic performance and the car handles well too, sitting flat in corners even when pushed enthusiastically.

The seats are large and comfortable and the ride quality is pretty good for a European job that has not had the benefit of local tuning. Still, the 3008 can bounce around on country roads.

Standard equipment includes cloth trim, dual climate- control air-con, seven-inch screen, LEDs, auto lights and wipers, electric brake and 17-inch alloys.

There’s just the one Active grade this time around but a $3500 option pack adds leather trim, heated front seats, head-up display, rear sunblinds and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The head-up display projects the information on to a transparent plastic screen that unfolds from the top of the dash.

Peugeot 3008

Price from: $35,490
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Capped seriving: Yes
Service Interval: 12 months/15,000km
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 115kW/240Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel, 120kW/340Nm
Transmission: 6 speed auto
Thirst: 6.7L-7.8L/100km
Dimensions: 4365mm (L) 1837mm (W) 1639mm (H)
Weight: 1555kg-1614kg
Spare: Full-size (temporary in diesel)