Peugeot 3008 vs Cupra Ateca

What's the difference?

The new Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid might not be the most spacious SUV for passengers, but it makes up for it with ample boot space and a standout design. It’s fresh-faced, interesting and packed with comfort features that elevate the everyday driving experience.

Is it expensive? Absolutely. But it also delivers a genuinely premium cabin that many rivals can’t match, along with refined on-road manners and efficiency that make it a pleasure to drive.

It doesn’t hit every note perfectly but there’s definitely a melody here worth listening to.

The Cupra Ateca V is a much needed more affordable way into this small SUV while still offering a high-end feeling with plenty of standard features. Yes, the V isn't as high-powered as the VZx but it's still great to drive in the city and on the open road. Big on the inside and small on the outside the Cupra Ateca can perform urban and (small) family duties well.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

The third-generation Peugeot 3008 boasts a striking silhouette, with coupe-like lines at the rear and well-proportioned overall dimensions that give it a confident, refined stance.

Signature Peugeot elements like the claw-inspired LED headlights and tail-lights lend it a distinctive, modern edge, which elevates its presence in a crowded SUV segment.

That said, the extensive use of black plastic cladding around the lower body detracts from the otherwise premium exterior and feels out of place.

Step inside and the cabin is easily one of the most captivating interiors I've been in recently. There's real design flair here: a multi-level centre console, sculpted ambient lighting panels that highlight the angular dashboard, and a rich, eclectic mix of materials. From quilted Nappa leather seats to textured grey knit fabric and brushed aluminium accents, it’s a refreshingly bold and beautifully executed space.

Add the panoramic sunroof and long equipment list, it's a cabin that you'll like to spend a lot of time in.

Once you know the Cupra Ateca V is closely related to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq you can definitely see a resemblance. Still, all three have their own look with the Cupra clearly given the role of being the fierce, sporty one. 

While the Ateca V doesn’t have the same menacing styling as the VZx, it’s definitely a seriously sporty looking SUV with its 19-inch alloys, aggressive front bumper, triangular LED running lights and blacked out wing mirrors, roof rails and CUPRA lettering across the tailgate. 

The bronze Cupra logo really signals the sporty intent of this brand and I’ve been told on more than one occasion that it looks like a biohazard symbol by people confused by what it is I’m driving. According to Cupra the blade-like design represents “the sense of belonging to a clan”. 

Measuring 4381mm long, 1841mm wide and 1625mm tall with 2630mm wheelbase the Ateca V is about 15cm shorter in length than a Tiguan, but as you’ll see in the practicality section the interior dimensions might be larger than you think.

The Ateca V’s cabin is full of dark-coloured materials with black leather upholstered sports seats and steering wheel. In the same way it feels like Batman designed the exterior the interior it has a ‘Made in Gotham City’ feel with a brooding style incorporating high quality textures and surfaces.

The best part of the cabin is easily up front. There's generous space, and the seats are comfortable, even before you engage any of their functions. Longer trips have been a dream. I particularly enjoyed the massage settings, though the session durations felt a bit inconsistent.

Storage in the front is cleverly designed, with plenty of options: a sunglasses holder, a large glovebox, a phone shelf, a deep centre console and ample drink holders. It’s easy to keep the space tidy and organised.

Charging options are solid, with two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad.

The updated multimedia system has a screen that is wider than it's tall, making the icons small and easy to miss while on the go. I did tap the wrong one a few times!

That said, I appreciated the customisable quick-access and instrument panels, and connecting to the wireless Apple CarPlay was seamless. The touchscreen can be a little laggy, but overall the system is functional and intuitive once you're used to it.

Owing to its relatively short 4542mm length, rear legroom is tight, and the bench isn’t wide enough to comfortably seat three adults over long distances. This just makes it feel cramped for a mid-size SUV and it's something my eight-year old noticed straight away.

The seats are well-padded, though, and rear amenities are strong with directional air vents, heated outboard seats, two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and the usual cupholders and map pockets.

Boot space is generous at 520L with a flat load floor. The 48-volt battery means there's no spare tyre, but the powered tailgate with kick-function was a lifesaver during errand runs this week. For more flexibility, the rear row folds in a 40/20/40 split.

The Ateca V is only about 4.4m long which is a lot shorter than a Kia Sportage, Nissan X-Trail or Subaru Forester, which are truly mid-size SUVs. So, the Ateca is a small SUV but on the larger side compared to say a Volkswagen T-Roc.

Despite its fairly diminutive exterior proportions the Ateca V has excellent storage and is remarkably spacious. If you have a young, small family and want a five-seater SUV big enough for them but small enough to make urban driving easy the Ateca V ticks both boxes.

Up front there are the gigantic door pockets, two cupholders, a decent-sized covered centre console bin and under-dash storage with wireless phone charging and two USB ports.

The second row is incredibly spacious for a small SUV with so much room for me at 189cm tall to sit behind my driving position. Headroom is excellent, too.

There are also cupholders in the fold-down armrest, two USB ports and big door pockets.

The back door apertures are tall and wide which makes getting little kids in and out of their car seats easier for parents.

A 485L cargo capacity is large for the class and under the boot floor is a space-saver spare wheel.

The Ateca model now has a lower priced grade called the V and it lists for $51,990. That’s more than $10K less than the top-of-the-range VZx  which has been out for a couple of years and lists for $63,490.

The Ateca V might be less expensive but the features list is still impressive. Coming standard are 19-inch alloy wheels, sports bumpers, LED headlights, running lights and puddle lights. There’s a proximity key and power tailgate with gesture control, too. 

Inside black leather upholstery is standard, so are heated front seats and steering wheel, there’s dual-zone climate control, a power driver’s seat, a 9.2-inch media display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging. 

As for options, you can have a panoramic sunroof for $1850 and premium metallic paint for $490.

There’s also the optional 'Tech Package' for $2950 bringing a Beats stereo system and a 360-degree camera. But the best thing about the pack is it also adds dynamic chassis control which adds adaptive suspension, so when you select 'Comfort' mode the suspension becomes softer, and in 'Sport' mode the suspension firms for better handling.

Rivals to the Ateca V include the Lexus UX and Volvo XC40 but also its Volkswagen Group cousins such as the Skoda Karoq and VW Tiguan R-Line.

All grades of the 3008 are powered by the same mild-hybrid setup, featuring a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that's paired with a small electric motor and a 48-volt battery. Power is sent through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the system delivering combined outputs of 100kW of power and 230Nm of torque.

Performance is modest, with a 0-100km/h sprint time taking 10.2 seconds. It’s perfectly adequate for everyday driving around town and in traffic, but the lack of urgency becomes more noticeable when overtaking at highway speeds. Still, the hybrid system offers smoother low-speed acceleration and improved efficiency over the outgoing petrol-only model.

The Ateca V has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine making 140kW and 320Nm. That’s a step down in output compared to the VZx’s 221kW and 440Nm, but the V doesn't feel underpowered.

A seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission shifts gears lighting fast with the drive going to all four wheels. Yes, it’s all-wheel drive.

The new mild-hybrid powertrain brings a solid improvement to efficiency, with an official combined fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km. Paired with a 55-litre fuel tank, that delivers a theoretical driving range of up to 1122km, which is an impressive figure for a mid-size SUV.

Over the past week, I’ve done a mix of longer highway drives, urban errands and the usual big grocery hauls. My real-world average came in at 6.1L/100km, which is still a strong result for this segment.

The system also features regenerative braking, which while not customisable, is noticeable in everyday driving. It kicks in strongly enough to give the sensation of heavy braking at times, particularly in city traffic and it reminds you that it's working behind the scenes to recover energy.

Cupra says that after a combination of open and urban roads the Ateca V should use 7.1L/100km. That’s not hugely fuel efficient and urban consumption of 8.6L/100km will mean higher fuel bills than a hybrid SUV of this size.

On the launch we saw a fuel consumption average of 7.7L/100km and that’s after city roads, motorways and country roads.

Once we have the Ateca V in our CarsGuide garage we’ll be able to perform a real-world test of its fuel consumption.

The Ateca V has a 55-litre fuel tank and requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. Theoretical driving range is around 775km.

The 3008 has been genuinely enjoyable to drive. It’s easy to handle, with responsive steering and a stable, confident feel at higher speeds. The transmission generally keeps the powertrain in the right gear, only occasionally over-revving during open-road driving.

Power delivery is prompt enough for stop-start traffic and quick city lane changes. That said, there's a noticeable dip in performance when overtaking on the highway and it’s a clear reminder that this isn’t a high-output powertrain.

Visibility is generally good, though the narrow rear window can limit your view, especially when passengers or a child seat are in the back. Still, the pillars didn’t obstruct my view from the driver’s seat.

The suspension is on the firmer side, so you will feel the larger bumps, but it strikes a decent balance for everyday driving.

There’s a bit of body roll when cornering, which prevents it from feeling as sporty as its coupe-inspired design might suggest.

Parking is a breeze thanks to the clear 360-degree camera system, ample sensors and a tight 10.64m turning circle. My only gripe is that the rear camera points slightly downward, which can make the view feel narrower than expected.

The launch of the Ateca V saw us drive the V and the VZx back-to-back, which highlighted how good the V is for the money when it comes to its on-road performance.

The 2.0-litre engine is superbly responsive with loads of torque for such a small petrol SUV, while the dynamics were equally impressive on winding country roads. Even when those roads occasionally and suddenly turned from bitumen to dirt at 100km/h excellent all-wheel drive traction kept everything under control.

The Ateca V we tested has the optional Tech Package fitted which adds dynamic chassis control and adjusts the suspension in the Comfort drive mode setting to a softer level compared to the firmer level in Sport. The ride in any mode, however, is comfortable with great handling. 

As standard the Ateca V is given sports suspension and after a quick sample of the Ateca V with this set-up I also found the ride to be comfortable and composed.

There's good visibility even through the rear window, along with nicely weighted accurate steering and a good pedal feel under my feet make the Ateca V effortless and enjoyable to drive.

The Cupa Ateca V hasn’t been tested by ANCAP and the Euro Ncap result of five stars (which is the maximum) has now expired because it was so long ago (2016).   

Still, while much of the safety tech isn’t as cutting edge as some new SUVs , there’s AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, rear traffic alert plus front and rear parking sensors. 

The airbag count runs to seven, including a front centre bag to minimise head clash injuries in a side-impact.

For child seats there are three anchor points and two ISOFIX mounts in the back.

The 3008 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is okay but now feels a bit basic, especially when rivals like Nissan offer up to 10 years of coverage (under specific servicing conditions).

Peugeot also provides a five-year capped-price servicing plan, or you can opt to pre-purchase servicing for three, four or five years. The five-year pre-paid plan comes in at $1890, which works out to be more affordable than sticking with the capped-price option.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first. That’s quite generous, particularly if you rack up a lot of kilometres annually.

The Ateca V is covered by Cupra’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing needed every 15,000km or annually.

You can buy a five-year service plan for $1990 - which isn’t overly pricey.