Peugeot has been a bit invisible in recent years.

Not for want of trying, but the French brand has been hamstrung with a small range of small cars that were supported a pair of re-badged (and underwhelming) Mitsubishis for SUVs.

But everything has now changed. It has a new local distributor - the same one that has overseen Subaru's steady growth during the past 20 years - that has already improved the value of its 308 hatch while preparing for a new line-up of soft roaders lead by this car, the 3008.

It's the same badge that was previously worn by an odd-looking minivan, but now adorns a machine that is the essence of Peugeot; a classy family car with European pedigree that promises to be enjoyable to drive and affordable to run

Peugeot is pitching the 3008 as a premium compact SUV against the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan and higher-grade variants of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and the like.

Australian buyers get four variants to choose from including the Active, Allure, and GT Line, all of which are powered by a 121kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, while the range-topping GT is driven exclusively by a 133kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel. All come with front-wheel drive, which is a little unusual for the segment, though all-wheel drive via hybrid assistance will be added at some point in the future.

Pricing starts from $36,990 plus on-road costs for the 3008 Active, which is higher than most of its rivals entry price but with a long list of standard equipment that includes dual-zone climate control, digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with nav, digital radio and smartphone mirroring Peugeot Australia says it is matches the mid-grade models that prove most popular among Australians.

Step-up to the $39,490 Allure and you get keyless entry and push-button start, semi-autonomous parking, a felt dash insert and larger 18-inch wheels while the GT Line ($43,490) brings an interior fragrance package, extended ambient interior lighting, LED headlights and a sports bumper and grille.

Apart from its more powerful turbo diesel engine, the $49,490 GT adds fake suede seat trim and dash insert, powered driver's seat adjustment with a massage function and 19-inch alloys.

As for safety, all variants come standard with six airbags, a driver fatigue monitor, camera-based speed recognition, lane departure warning and a reverse camera.

Additional features on the GT Line and GT (and available as an option on the Allure) include autonomous emergency braking, active cruise, lane keeping assistance, automatic high beams and a 360-degree camera.

No matter which model you choose, there's an element of wow factor to the 3008's minimalist cabin design. But it is also quite functional.

For the first time in modern history the glovebox in a right-hand drive Peugeot is large enough to accommodate the owner's manual. No, the glovebox isn’t very big still, but it is at least large enough to hold the books, a pair of sunnies and a few other small items.

The 3008 also has a trick up its sleeve (or rather in its centre console) which looks like a normal console from the outside, but reaches far forward under the gear selector, making it big enough to store iPads, handbags, or big bottles - or any combination of the three all at once.

Utility is one side of the coin, but it's the interior style that will really divide opinion. Peugeot has stuck with its ‘i-Cockpit’ concept meaning a tiny, low-set steering wheel with an instrument cluster that you look at over the wheel, not through it.

Interior buttons are almost a thing of the past with most functions handled by the 8.0-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash, though sensibly Peugeot has now added a few extra shortcut buttons in a panel below the screen making it easier to jump between functions. 

It’s still not possible to simply adjust the interior temperature or skip radio stations without cueing up the right menu screen first, but it’s much more logical than the system found in the 308 hatch range.

Interior space is a little hit and miss. Up front there’s no shortage of room and there's a clever mix of materials and mood lighting to give it a high-end feel. In the rear, passengers aren’t given quite the same wealth of headroom. It’s okay in standard form, but add the optional panoramic roof and the headlining becomes very close. Legroom is generous, but width isn’t - this is a four-seater with an occasional-use fifth seat - but thankfully visibility through the side glass isn’t cut off as it it in so many new SUVs.

At 520 litres, the boot is handily sized, although the loading lip is high. A dual-level boot floor adds a little versatility and the rear seats can be dropped from inside the boot for ease of access. Once again a powered tailgate is an option on Allure, GT Line, and GT where it maybe should have been standard on the top-spec car at least.

As for how it drives, the 3008 is more of an urban soft roader than anything truly adventurous. Having said that, Peugeot has made an optional ‘Enhanced Grip Control’ system available for the Allure, GT Line, and GT which tailors the stability control to surfaces like snow, mud, or sand at the twist of a knob as well as including Downhill Assist Descent Control.

On a few lightly challenging gravel tracks the system proved that it could make it through mud, down hilly slopes, and through sandy conditions without too much effort, but a lack of extra traction and serious ride height will limit real off-road forays.

In less challenging situations, be it open road cruising or school-run drop offs, the 3008 proved far more suitable. Peugeot only gave a very brief first drive impression, so until the chance for a more thorough examination arises it’s difficult to give a definitive verdict on what the 3008 is really like.

Certainly both petrol and diesel engines seemed to deliver impressive refinement with some of the best engine and road noise suppression in the medium SUV class. Both are smooth and fluent to drive, with the turbo punch of the petrol making it feel confident, if not blistering, with enough torque in reserve for confident overtaking and open road cruising.

The diesel GT on the other hand needs to be pushed a little harder to overcome its turbo lag and tap into its fatter torque curve. But, once on the boil, it has plenty in reserve.

Ride quality seems up to scratch on patchy rural roads; the 18-inch wheels of the Allure and GT Line deliver a more comfortable ride than the larger 19s of the GT but even it isn’t too punishing.

Through sweeping bends, the 3008 holds the road with reassuring stability and a properly connected feel, enhanced by the tiny steering wheel that channels a go-kart like driving experience. The extra weight in the front of the diesel GT can be felt at times, but doesn't throw off the otherwise engaging balance.

Only the diesel engine comes with fuel-saving start-stop technology, and it ignites quickly and smoothly. 

The six-speed automatic works well with either engine. It’s smooth and sensibly configured to keep the engines operating in their optimal zone without labouring or over-revving the way some fellow European competitors can. Thanks to a ‘traditional’ hydraulic auto there’s no jerky low-speed dual-clutch behaviours, or droning CVT whine either.

All in all, the Peugeot 3008 is the car that should make the brand a lot more visible than it has been as it proves that Peugeot can deliver individuality and practicality in one well-resolved package.

2017 Peugeot 3008 Price and Specifications

Price: From $36,990 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 121kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 240Nm at 1400rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 7.0L/100km

- For more information visit our Peugeot showroom