Peugeot 3008 crowned European Car of the Year

Colin Smith
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Peugeot's new 3008 has become the first SUV to win the European Car. Photos / Supplied

Peugeot's new 3008 has become the first SUV to win the European Car. Photos / Supplied

For the first time in the award’s 53-year history, a sport utility vehicle has driven away with European Car of the Year accolades.

The all-new Peugeot 3008 — set to launch in New Zealand later this year — has been named the 2017 European Car of the Year.

The announcement was made on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show and the 3008 becomes the fifth Peugeot model to claim the Car of the Year title and first SUV from any brand to win the award since its inception in 1964.

The 3008 gained 319 points in the final round of voting by a judging panel comprising 58 European journalists, of which 21 rated the Peugeot in first place. It was close-fought contest with runner-up honours going to the Alfa Romeo Giulia which gained 296 points and 19 of the first place votes.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class gained third place with 197 points and the other cars on a shortlist of seven finalists were the Citroen C3, Nissan Micra, Toyota C-HR and Volvo’s new S90/V90 sedan/wagon duo.

Peugeot’s previous victories in Europe’s flagship new car award were achieved by the the 505 (1969), 405 (1988), 307 (2002) and 308 (2014) models.

Judges were impressed by the 3008s combination of style, interior design and performance and the latest award success joins the 20 other prizes the 3008 SUV has already won since its launch in Europe at the start of 2017.

The all-new 3008 SUV also majors on technology with a state-of-the-art Peugeot i-Cockpit interior layout with a compact multi-function steering wheel, 12.3-inch head-up digital instrument display and 8.0-inch capacitive touchscreen which is accompanied by stylish satin chrome piano key toggles.

The all-new 3008 SUV also offers a number of driver assist technologies and other high-tech equipment, as well as seamless connectivity. Nearly 100,000 customers have already placed orders in Europe.

"I am particularly proud and very pleased that the all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV has just won the 2017 ‘Car of the Year’ prize," said Jean-Philippe Imparato, CEO of the Peugeot brand.

"This trophy is the culmination of five years of incredible work by the brand's teams and our group."

The European Car of the Year prize is awarded by a judging panel comprising 58 experienced journalists from 22 countries, who have been assessing each new model launched since early 2016.