8. Peugeot 3008
The looks won't be to everybody's taste, but what the Peugeot 3008 lacks in style it more than makes up for with practicality. The five-seater interior provides plenty of head and legroom, while boot size is impressive, at 512 litres, and can be enhanced by a false floor, with a cubby beneath, and accessed easily through a split tailgate. It's just a shame the fusebox hasn't been moved in the conversion to right-hand drive, so the glovebox is tiny.
Performance isn't as strong as in some crossovers, although the decent efficiency compensates. The e-HDi model promises 60.1mpg fuel consumption and 122g/km emissions, so won't cost a lot in road tax. Insurance group ratings are competitive for this model, too – certainly more so than for the higher-powered diesels – although service intervals are shorter than on petrol cars.
Peugeot also offers a 3008 HYbrid4, complete with an innovative diesel-electric drivetrain. This promises up to 80.7mpg economy and emissions as low as 91g/km, but carries a high price tag and has a harsh ride. If you need to go off-road, higher-spec models feature a clever Grip Control system, although they are limited over rough terrain.
