PEUGEOT'S three latest sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are a testament to the French automaker's commitment to design.
The three lions - 2008, 3008, and 5008 - are assembled at the Stellantis manufacturing plant in Gurun, Kedah. They are arguably, minus hints of eventual changes, better looking than their older counterparts.
French car designs for a very long time have always been timid, domesticated, or just outright quirky. In aiming for a broader market share, it is beneficial that they don't have any of those qualities.
From memory, the RCZ was something else for a time in Peugeot's lineup. Newer models have come a long way since.
But good external looks alone do not mean they're on an equal footing. One can come to a conclusion only after taking the three for drives.
2008
The odd one of the pack is also the most compact and sporty. The B-segment 2008 SUV has a large front grille with chrome dashes that are longer towards the outer sides.
It has LED daytime-running lights that are reminiscent of three-claws, a set of 17-inch Salamanca alloy wheels, dark smokey tail-lights, and a floating roof motif from the black panels on the C-pillars.
The cabin is dominated by black surfaces backed by a combination of chrome, grey plastics and faux carbon inserts, and piano-styled toggles below the air-conditioning vents on the centre console.
Peugeot i-Cockpit is present in its latest form and features a small-diameter, two-spoke steering wheel, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D-effect graphics, and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The front-wheel-drive car (FWD) packs a 1.2-litre turbocharged PureTech three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 128hp and 230Nm of torque.
The 2008 Allure variant is priced at RM126,753 on-the-road without insurance. It comes with a five-year, 100,000km warranty along with a three-year, 60,000km free service maintenance package.
3008 and 5008
Since the two share similar features (on paper, at least) right down to their design, it makes sense to talk about both simultaneously.
For example, the two come with Peugeot's i-Cockpit technology, equipped with a 12.3-inch digital head-up cluster display and a 10-inch HD capacitive touchscreen colour display.
The interior is enhanced with seven piano-style toggle switches that allow you to access the audio, dual-zone climate control, navigation with voice command, telephone functions, powered panoramic sunroof, electrochromic rear-view mirror, column-mounted paddle shifters, blue LED ambient lighting, and a cooled storage area within the centre armrest.
The compact steering wheel is another highlight; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come as standard.
The powertrain set-up for the FWD SUVs is similar to a direct-injection 1.6 litre Turbo High Pressure engine paired with a six-speed gearbox that generates 165hp and 240Nm of torque. The Advanced Grip Control rotary dial allows drivers to choose between five traction modes, including Snow, Mud and Sand.
Both sport a redesigned front frameless grille and reprofiled full LED lights - with auto high beam and 90-degree cornering function and vertical LED DRLs.
Three standard colours are available - Amazonite Grey, Pearl White and Nera Black.
The fourth exclusive colours are Cuprite Brown for the 3008 and Emerald Crystal for the 5008.
On the difference between the two, the 3008 is a five-seater SUV, whereas the 5008 seats seven.
Boot space for the 3008 is 591 litres, whereas the 5008 boasts 952 litres of space with the third row folded flat.
The exterior of the 5008's rear differs from the 3008 due to its longer wheelbase.
Inside, the 5008 has a third row of seats that can be folded down and removed.
On the second row of the 5008, there is an air-con vent blower-control switch and lastly, the centre console of the 5008 has more storage volume.
The safety features include blind spot monitoring, active lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and hill-descent control, six airbags, and a wide-angle reverse camera.
Both models are available only in the Allure trim as well, with the 3008 priced at RM169,388 and the 5008 at RM185,388.
The price includes a five-year or 100,000km manufacturer's warranty (whichever comes first), as well as three-year or 60,000km free service maintenance.
Three's company
We start with the 2008 that is definitely the sportiest of the trio. Not only in its compact look but performance as well.
I didn't think much of it at first as it only has a 1.2L engine but I eventually found myself enjoying it the most.
The drive performance felt just right from suspension, brakes and size. Also, at no point did I feel it was underpowered.
The front design, while not exactly as aggressive as its pricier siblings, grew on me as I spent more time with the SUV.
What feels off is the front ergonomics. The front passenger legroom is a bit tight and this is an issue on the driver's side.
You either feel like you're sitting too far away from the dashboard to accommodate your legs or too close.
The front-window screen view also feels limited and boxed in. It's an odd limitation that some may find hard to accept.
The 3008, on the other hand, has none of the ergonomic issues of the 2008 as it is larger and more comfortable.
Its larger body is balanced out by a more powerful 1.6L engine, meaning it may not be as sporty or zippy but its performance in other areas is on a par with its more affordable sibling.
The 3008 has more in common with the 5008 despite being the middle model of the trio, which itself poses some problems.
This is because the 5008 is better at everything - space, comfort, premium finishing and overall drive experience. While it may be larger the difference is not noticeable, so agility to the driver feels about the same.
The 5008 is, of course, pricier and the 3008 is a good compromise. But it just lacks a more pronounced character than the other two.
Verdict
I love how varied the three are in design and feel the differences are mostly nuanced. However, there is without a doubt one top choice - the 5008.
Before we get to that, don't let the 1.2L engine fool you as the 2008 is the most fun of the three. However, it requires a compromise in front comfort. Otherwise, it is the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a compact SUV powerhouse.
Its design is also the most unique (sportiest) among the three, especially in the rear where the pricier siblings adopt a more executive stance. And the price is an amazing plus point although the only trouble there is it sits in a highly competitive market range.
The 3008 is a great choice to bridge the two if you want a bit of both. It is just unfortunate that by design, to me, it sits between two very competitive siblings. As much as I enjoyed it, the other two just outshine it in character.
The 5008 is the best of the Peugeot trio for the simple reason it is better at everything from the moment I got into it.
There was just no competition and I'm hard-pressed to find any issues with it other than it's not as sporty or compact as the 2008, which is more preference than fact. The offering of space alone makes it more practical for storage and passenger comfort.
It is pricier but also more complete in its experience. If the 2008 had more accommodating front ergonomics, however, then it would've been a very different story.