The new Peugeot 3008 SUV was crowned Irish Car of the Year 2018, in association with Continental Tyres, at a gala event in the Gibson Hotel, Dublin, attended by leading figures in the Irish motor industry and motoring journalists.

Awarded the Irish Compact SUV of the Year 2018 category winner, the 3008 SUV then beat off stiff competition from eight other category winners to take the overall title crown.

Launched in March in Ireland, demand for the multi-award winning Peugeot 3008 SUV has soared to place it as the best-selling Peugeot car model in 2017. The Irish Car of the Year 2018 accolade is the 34th international award bestowed upon the 3008 SUV.

Des Cannon, managing director of Gowan Distributors, Peugeot importers in Ireland, said: “When we first saw and drove the new 3008 SUV, we knew it was a very special car. We are simply over the moon with the Irish Car of the Year 2018 title. Huge thanks to the Irish Car of the Year voters for their dedication to the awards and to Continental Tyres for their support.”

Irish Car of The Year committee member Michael Sheridan said: “What an achievement for the Peugeot 3008 to come out on top from a field of some 60 new models launched this year on the Irish market.”

Irish Car of The Year committee member David Walshe said: “It was a very tight competition this year with many, many fine vehicles in the running for the Irish Car of the Year accolade, congratulations to a worthy winner.”

Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres said: “The choices of the Irish Car of the Year jury are a great help in informing Irish consumers as to the bewildering array of high-tech vehicles that are launched in Ireland each year. Continental is delighted to be associated with the Irish Car of the Year awards.”

Having driven the 3008 SUV during the year, I found it to be a very good car and find it very difficult to disagree with the judges’ findings.