The second-generation Peugeot 3008 arrived in 2016 as a radical departure from its predecessor. Redesigned into a compact crossover -- the original 3008 was more of an MPV -- the new hauler featured daring, sporty exterior styling and an interior packed with premium features previously not available in a Peugeot. The French company retained most of the small-displacement engines offered in the first-gen model, but revised them for improved performance and fuel economy and reduced carbon-dioxide emissions. Just like the 308 hatchback, the 3008 received a sportier GT Line trim and a range-topping GT model.

Designed for drivers who want to stand out in a crowd, the 3008 GT gained a bunch of exclusive exterior features for a more stylish appearance and a more premium interior enhanced by full-grain leather, real wood, and high-end stitching. Although it's not hugely different from the standard model, the GT has just enough little touches to make it different, and the more luxurious interior places it higher on the premium market -- an area where no Peugeot has dared to enter in recent decades.

The new crossover is set to debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show alongside the GT Line, which will bridge the gap between the standard model and the GT. Until that happens, let's have a closer look at Peugeot's new proposition for the premium compact crossover niche and find out how it stacks up against its competitors.

Continue reading to learn more about the Peugeot 3008 GT.

Exterior

Much like other GT-badged models in Peugeot's lineup, the 3008 GT features a number of exclusive features that give it a sportier, yet elegant appeal. The first thing that catches the eye is the revised front bumper with more prominent features. Paired with the wider wheel arch extensions, the new bumper gives the 3008 a wider, more aggressive stance. Highlights continue with the stainless steel window trim, sleeker aluminum roof rails, chrome mirror caps, chrome exhaust pipes, and the "GT" badge on the trunk lid.

While inferior models ride on 17- and 18-inch wheels as standard, the 3008 GT comes with larger, 19-inch rollers. These also sport a unique two-tone design and diamond-cut finish. The full LED headlamps with sequential scrolling LED indicators are also standard. For customers looking to stand out on the road, Peugeot offers the Coupe Franche paint option. This is an asymmetrical two-tone finish with half of the rear doors, the rear fenders, C-pillars, and tailgate painted black and the rest of the car available in one of three contrasting colors.

Interior

Inside, the GT comes with the completely redesigned interior of the new 3008, but enhanced by the special features you'd expect in a range-topping model. Already impressive in the standard model, the dashboard is now worthy of a true luxury car thanks to its genuine aged-oak trim, which runs into the upper door panels, and Aikinite copper double stitching. The latter was also used on the door panels, center armrest, steering wheel, floor mats, and gear lever, while the instrument cluster received matching virtual dials.

The standard seats were replaced with sportier units wrapped in full-grain Nappa Mistral leather and Brumeo cloth sports seats. The optional driver seat with multipoint massage function, electric adjustment, and memory is offered as standard equipment. Another high-end feature offered at no extra cost is the panoramic glass roof with electric interior blind and blue ambient lighting.

As far as convenience features go, the GT comes with all the brand-new gadgets introduced in the regular 3008. This includes the i-Cockpit system with the massive 12.3-inch touchscreen in the dashboard, the eight-inch instrument cluster, and the sporty flat-bottom steering wheel.

Connectivity features include MirrorScreen, induction smartphone recharging, and 3D navigation. The latter displays images of buildings and monuments and it can be displayed on either the central touchscreen or the digital instrument cluster with a touch of a control knob on the steering wheel. It is equipped with TomTom Traffic for real-time visibility of events, weather, car-parks, and service stations. Speaking of which, the 3D satellite navigation system comes with a three-year subscription to TomTom live updates.

The MirrorScreen function allows for a smartphone screen to be reproduced on the touchscreen for easier access to apps and it is compatible with MirrorLink, Android Auto, and Apple Carplay. It has a remote voice recognition function through the smartphone, allowing the driver to make calls, browse music, and read and send text messages without taking his eyes off the road.

Finally, the 3008 GT received a premium Focal sound system with 10 speakers, mid-range woofers with Polyglass technology, and TNF tweeters with inverted aluminum domes for optimal sound output. The 7.8-inch Power Flower subwoofer features triple coil technology, while the active 12-channel amplifier delivers 515 watts for the ultimate acoustic experience.

Drivetrain

The 3008 GT gets its juice from the most powerful engine available with the new 3008 lineup. The unit in question is the 2.0-liter BlueHDi 180, and it's rated, as the nomenclature suggests, at 180 PS (177 horsepower) and 295 pound-feet of torque. The oil burner mates to a six-speed automatic transmission. Performance and fuel economy figures aren't yet available, but Peugeot promises "outstanding engine efficiency."

Safety

Details are still slim as far as safety features go, but the 3008 GT should employ a full lineup of airbags for both front and rear-seat passengers. Peugeot did say that it will benefit from driving-assisting features such as Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert and Active Involuntary Crossing Line. The crossover also has Driver Alert Warning, which can then trigger audible and visual alerts and remind drivers to take a break after two hours of continuous driving at a speed greater than 65 km/h (40 mph). There’s also Automatic High Beam Assistance, Speed Sign Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, and Park Assist, which are standard on all trim levels. Finally, Visiopark 1 adds a 180-degree view camera on the tailgate and Visiopark 2 adds the device to the front bumper for a complete 360-degree exterior view displayed on the main touchscreen.

Prices

Pricing for the standard 3008 has yet to be released, so it's too early to talk about the range-topping. However, with the current 3008 retailing from £20,045 (about $28,360) in the U.K., the redesigned version will most certainly fetch in excess of £23,000 (around $32,540). As a result, I expect the range-topping GT to cost more than £30,000 (about $42,470).

Competition

BMW X1

It might seem ludicrous to compare a Peugeot with a BMW, but I think that the 3008 GT has what it takes to give Munich's smallest crossover a run for its money. With the standard 3008 already too fancy for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage, the GT may very well tackle the premium market and compete against products from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. The X1 is the crossover to beat when it comes to sporty styling and performance and high-end interior and technology. Redesigned for 2015, the German mini SUV has a more muscular appearance and a roomy interior with a laundry list of standard features that includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, and BMW's latest infotainment system.

Leather seats and wood trim aren't standard, but the sub-£30,000 sticker of the base diesel model leaves just enough room for optional upgrades. Unlike the GT, the X1 can be had with either gasoline and diesel engines, but we need to consider the base diesel model only for a fair comparison. The model in question is the X1 sDrive18d, which uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 147 horsepower and 243 pound-feet. This model retails from £27,090 (about $38,360), but the sticker increases to £28,640 (around $40,550) with the automatic transmission.

Find out more about the BMW X1 here.

Conclusion

The new 3008 crossover marks the beginning of a new era from Peugeot, one during which the French automaker hopes to improve global sales and move up the premium ladder. At first glance, the 3008 looks like a vehicle that should not disappoint. Its styling is sporty and daring, its interior looks better than most of its direct competitors, and its small-displacement, fuel efficient engines should make it popular in most European markets. The 3008 GT takes all that to a new level with exclusive features inside and out and more standard equipment than just about any non-premium product on the compact crossover market. Peugeot is basically taking a swing at products such as the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA and, while it's too early to estimate whether it will succeed, I have to give the French credit for embarking on such a difficult mission.