Nissan Qashqai vs Peugeot 3008 – which is best?

Many Nissan Qashqais don’t go far once they’ve rolled off the production line in Sunderland. The Qashqai was the UK’s third best-selling car in 2025, racking up over 41,000 registrations. But does its popularity automatically make it the best family SUV? Or should you go for the avant-garde Peugeot 3008 instead?

Nissan Qashqai vs Peugeot 3008 compared

Styling

After a couple of Qashqai generations where styling wasn’t top priority, the latest model is much bolder. An extensive facelift in 2024 brought even more eye-catching styling, with a wide grille that looks to have swallowed up the headlights. A slim line of LED daytime running lights above makes the Qashqai look trendy and futuristic.

The Qashqai needed to sharpen up because of the likes of the Peugeot 3008. With claw-like lights front and rear, plus a swoopy new coupe shape, the 3008 certainly cuts a dash. Peugeot’s upped its wheel game as well, with diamond-cut 19- and 20-inch wheels in very unusual designs.

Interior and technology

What’s astonishing is that the Qashqai’s interior will instantly feel like home, regardless of what you’re swapping from. The dashboard design plays it a little safe, but the upshot is that you’ll be able to get into Nissan’s big-selling SUV and immediately locate the major controls. Speaking of controls, there are still plenty of proper buttons for the air conditioning, driver assistance functions and drive modes.

Go for a model with the larger, sharper touchscreen and the Qashqai’s interior feels quite modern. The newer touchscreen uses Google’s navigation know-how and the whole system is really easy to use, so we don’t mind too much that the graphics are a little fuzzy. You can always connect your phone wirelessly via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

But the screen in the 3008 is on another level. The touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are combined into one 21-inch mega screen that’s positioned slightly above the dashboard – giving the illusion that it’s floating. While not quite as intuitive as the Qashqai’s screen, it shouldn’t take too long to get used to, and it helps that there’s a smaller touchscreen beneath that can be customised to show your favourite functions and even radio stations.

The 3008’s interior feels incredibly fancy, with a Y-shaped centre console, classy ambient lighting and light fabric trim. High-spec Qashqais get lovely materials like leather and suede, but we’d say that the 3008 feels marginally more premium.

Dimensions and practicality

The 3008’s slightly larger dimensions mean its coupe-like styling doesn’t affect practicality. Have cake, eat it. Both of these cars will fit four adults in comfort and five at a push, and both have a big boot that’s plenty for several suitcases or a whole collection of pushchairs.

If pushchairs are a priority, the Qashqai is a bit easier to get kids in and out. Its doors open wider than the 3008, the aperture is taller – so you’re less likely to bump a small person’s head on the roof – and the Isofix points are more accessible.

Engines

The cheapest engine for both of these cars is a small-capacity mild-hybrid petrol lump. In the Nissan corner, you get a 1.3-litre engine with either 138hp or 158hp; there’s barely any difference between them. They have similar performance and both will manage around 45mpg. A manual gearbox is standard, or there’s an optional CVT automatic gearbox.

Above that is the ‘e-Power’ hybrid, which uses a petrol engine as a generator to keep the small battery topped up. Because the electric motor’s in charge of driving the wheels, the e-Power’s driving experience feels almost EV-like. But you don’t need to plug the car in, and it’ll return around 64mpg (around 53mpg for pre-2025 cars before the powertrain was updated).

For the 3008, the engine lineup kicks off with a 136hp 1.2-litre engine. Badged a hybrid, the electric power is only butch enough for low-speed creeping and manoeuvring. Otherwise, it feels very similar to a normal petrol engine. An automatic gearbox is standard – there’s no manual option in the 3008 at all.

Next is a plug-in hybrid that’s much quicker off the line and capable of 50 miles of electric driving. But it’s an expensive halfway house and you’ll pay more in tax than for the petrol or electric versions.

Speaking of which, there are two electric e-3008 models. The cheapest still gets a decently sized 73kWh battery, which is good for 327 miles (officially – your real-world mileage will vary). If that’s not enough, spec the 97kWh battery and you’ll potentially see over 400 miles to a charge. That puts the e-3008 on our list of the longest-range electric cars.

Value

In terms of new-car prices, the Qashqai definitely has the upper hand. The cheapest Qashqai is just over £30,000, compared to £35,000 for the 3008 – although you’ll need to spend at least £33,000 to get a Qashqai with the Google infotainment goodies.

Comparing two 2025 cars with similar power, specifications and mileage, there’s very little to split a 3008 and Qashqai. The 3008 has lost more of its initial value quicker but, somewhat interestingly, a £27,000 3008 has cheaper monthly payments on a PCP finance deal than a £27,000 Qashqai – suggesting that the 3008 will hold onto more of its value in the long run.

If you want the warm glow of knowing you’ve saved an absolute fortune versus the new price, check out the e-3008. 18-month-old examples in top-spec GT trim are less than half the price of a brand-new equivalent, and they’re on a par with petrol versions. Electric ones will cost a lot less to run if you can charge at home.

Which is best?

On paper, a used 3008 seems to be a better purchase than a used Qashqai. But we haven’t yet mentioned that the Qashqai is more refined and comfortable than the sometimes hard-edged and bouncy 3008.

The familiarity, popularity and general easy-going vibe of the Qashqai appeals to many UK buyers. The 3008 is more interesting and zany but the Qashqai’s a safe bet.

Nissan Qashqai video review

Peugeot 3008 video reviews

Read our Nissan Qashqai review and Peugeot 3008 review. Made up your mind? Shop used Nissan Qashqai cars or used Peugeot 3008 cars for sale at Motorpoint.