Kia Sportage vs Peugeot 3008 – which is best?

The closest we can get to mathematical infinity is trying to count how many medium-sized SUVs we can choose from. Kia’s Sportage is the best-selling of them all – but is it the best option for you? Or should you consider the Peugeot 3008 instead? We’ll have an answer for you at the bottom of the page.

Shop used Kia Sportage cars and used Peugeot 3008 cars for sale at Motorpoint.

Kia Sportage vs Peugeot 3008 compared

Styling

Both of these cars have changed the game for family haulers, with bold and eye-catching styling to make mundane journeys more exciting. The Sportage’s styling was particularly noticeable given how different it looked to its predecessor, and its boomerang-shaped daytime running lights made it stand out against more conventional-looking models. When it was facelifted in 2025, the Sportage gained Kia’s latest ‘star map’ light signature, a blockier front end design and new four-spoke alloy wheels.

To our eyes the 3008 looks even more distinctive than the Sportage, largely because the Kia is typically the UK’s best-selling midsize SUV. Its front end brings slim lights, a trio of LED slashes on each side and an intricate, spindly grille. The 3008 has a sleeker fastback silhouette that ironically looks sportier than the Sportage. Go for a top-spec GT model and you even get shield badges on the front wings, just like a Ferrari.

Interior and technology

It’s a similar story with the interior design: the Sportage’s cabin looked incredibly futuristic when it came out but looks a little tame against the 3008’s space-age dashboard. The 3008’s massive 21-inch screen appears to float above the dash, while the centre console impresses with a row of buttons on a fabric-covered spar and a row of touch controls that act as shortcuts for the main screen. Plus, the big screen is standard in the 3008 – in the Sportage, you only get the fancy driver’s display screen on the top-spec GT-Line S version.

The Sportage’s interior layout makes it easier to use than the 3008, which is probably more important considering you’re probably going to be living with one of these cars for a couple of years or more. Its touchscreen is more intuitively laid out, and its digital driver’s display is a little clearer at a glance.

Dimensions and practicality

As you can see, there’s almost nothing to split the Sportage and 3008 in terms of their dimensions.

The 3008 is less practical than the Sportage due to its sloping roofline (and the E-3008 loses a further 40 litres of boot space), but the difference isn’t likely to be a dealbreaker if you love the rest of the 3008’s experience. You’ll notice the roofline most in those times when you need to load to the roof. 

By the same token, rear headroom is a little better in the Sportage than the 3008 because of its taller roofline. Both will take four adults and plenty of luggage comfortably, although adults will feel like they’ve got a bit more space in the Sportage.

Engines and performance

Both these cars have keenly embraced electrification, although only the 3008 offers an electric model. Well, several actually, as you can see above. If you want a fully electric Sportage-sized Kia, you’ll be pointed towards the EV5. For many EV buyers, the standard-range E-3008 with its 326-mile quoted range will be plenty, especially as it’ll recharge from 20% to 80% in as little as half an hour on a fast charger.

The Sportage lineup kicks off with a conventional petrol engine, hooked up to a manual gearbox – something that’s becoming increasingly rare in the family SUV market. You can also choose a seven-speed automatic. Then there’s the hybrid and plug-in-hybrid options, which add increasingly large batteries and motors to assist the petrol engine.

Given that the Sportage HEV has a much larger battery than the 3008 Hybrid, you’d expect the Kia to be more economical. It may be around town, but we’ve found the Sportage to be quite inefficient at motorway speeds. You’re more likely to get closer to Peugeot’s official estimate in our experience.

Value

The Peugeot is more expensive to start with, but sheds more of its initial value more quickly. If you’re shopping for nearly new models – we compared two that were roughly a year old – you’ll find that the 3008 is several thousands of pounds cheaper. That also equates to a large difference in PCP monthly payments.

Be careful to consider the original price of a used 3008. Fuel-powered cars that originally cost over £40,000 when new are subject to the expensive car supplement, or luxury car tax, until they’re six years old. Instead of being £200 a year, your annual road tax will be £640 if this is the case.

And, while electric E-3008 models come with the balance of Peugeot’s Allure Care eight-year warranty, any version with a petrol engine is covered for three years. Every Sportage is covered for up to seven years or 100,000 miles, provided it’s been serviced in line with Kia’s guidelines.

Which is best?

While the Peugeot arguably has more showroom appeal inside and out, the Kia promises to be a little easier to live with. Its interior is plush without being extravagant, it boasts a much longer warranty and it’ll take more of your stuff when you’re loading to the roof. Our money would go on the Kia Sportage.

Shop used Kia Sportage and used Peugeot 3008 cars for sale at Motorpoint. For more information on either model, read our Kia Sportage review and Peugeot 3008 review.

Kia Sportage video review

Peugeot 3008 video review