[ad_1]
Town-dwelling SUV might be the hardest house for any automotive model to compete in, however Peugeot has an ace up their sleeve within the 3008, which on this 2nd-gen guise has been with us since 2016 earlier than being launched in Malaysia the following 12 months.
A mid-cycle facelift has graced it following the 2020 mannequin 12 months which swiftly arrived in Malaysia beneath new native distributors Bermaz, who’ve supplied it in sole 1.6T Attract trim for a cool RM161,616.
Regionally assembled in Gurun at a newly repurposed Stellantis facility, the 3008 will lock horns with the largest hitters that additionally dwell within the high-riding C-segment. Encounters with class veterans such because the Honda CR-V are inevitable, however newer challengers have additionally emerged such because the Proton X70 and Toyota Corolla Cross.
The Peugeot, any Peugeot, has at all times been the ‘left discipline’ selection for a lot of Malaysians, however does selecting it over the extra apparent rivals instantly indicate some type of compromise in an effort to be just a little completely different?
2022 Peugeot 3008 Attract – Exterior
As a lot we in Southeast Asia would possibly consider French vehicles as area of interest, they’re fairly ubiquitous in Europe. Of that, the 3008 stands aside as the most well-liked mannequin (by quantity) that guardian firm Stellantis (beforehand the PSA Group) produces, that are the 4th largest automaker on the planet.
The 3008 isn’t precisely the latest entrant into the compact SUV scene, however by some means nonetheless seems recent subsequent to nearly all of its class opponents. In designing this 2nd-generation 3008, Peugeot spent loads of time contemplating its fashion issue and that’s apparent even in 2022.
Solely the entrance finish has undergone any significant aesthetic alteration throughout the aforementioned facelift, including a vertical ‘fang-like’ daytime working mild (DRL) signature that’s now mixed into the primary entrance illumination cluster (with directional LED headlamps) together with a brand new grille sample.
The standard and intricacy of metallic surfacing at play right here is one thing Peugeot must be happy with as it’s missing in most vehicles at this value bracket, with the potential exception of Mazda. You possibly can poke holes within the argument and demand that the 3008 ought to have gotten a extra thorough revamp, but it surely fairly truthfully wanted no such therapy.
2022 Peugeot 3008 Attract – Inside
The 3008 is the most well-liked Peugeot the French automaker produces, and for good purpose. Its mixture of sharp seems, practicality and a sure ‘Joie de vivre’ appears to successfully snare consumers right into a take a look at drive the place its inside boasts the same wow issue.
The door opens right into a cabin that feels instantly airier than its dimensions recommend because of that panoramic sunroof, however stepping inside the mix of supplies and flowing dashboard structure endears it some legitimately premium vibes which carry into the night when the ambient inside lighting comes into view.
Admittedly, the i-Cockpit will take some getting used to because you’re meant to view the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster above the abnormally small steering wheel as a substitute of via it, but it surely’s in any other case fairly logical and properly thought-out regardless of its emphasis on fashion and aptitude.
Leather-based seats are customary and expectedly plush for all occupants with the motive force and entrance passenger each receiving electrical seats. Nevertheless, a ache level could be the shortage of thigh adjustment.
We discovered rear seat house and occupant consolation ranges fairly spectacular because of a very flat flooring and beneficiant padding that equalled or exceeded the CR-V when it comes to shoulder room and leg room with 3 adults sat abreast. Boot house is a commodious 591-litres however can broaden to 1,670-litres with the 2nd-row seats folded down.
Practicality may not be the very first thing somebody thinks of when the 3008 involves thoughts, however storage compartments are plentiful and huge, particularly the centre console cubby.
2022 Peugeot 3008 Attract – Engine & Powertrain
To the shock of completely nobody, this Peugeot utilises the model’s enduring 1.6-litre THP ‘Prince’ turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, which may hint its origin all the best way again to 2006 when it was conceived as a joint growth between PSA and BMW.
It has fortunately been via quite a few evolutions over that point span and has obtained the Worldwide Engine of the Yr award for its displacement bracket for an astonishing 8 years in a row. On this 3008, the unit produces 165PS and 240Nm. And sure, that is unchanged
Importantly, it claims to return 7.0-litres/100km on the NEDC take a look at cycle with peak torque (the true purpose any small displacement petrol engine is any good) at a decently early 1,400rpm.
2022 Peugeot 3008 Attract – Behind The Wheel
The 3008 is a little bit of a combined bag from behind the wheel. As an SUV and every day driver, it’s comfy and plush and easy and usually fairly a refined expertise that places you in thoughts of costlier vehicles, however there are specific traits that aren’t per this on-road persona.
It’s 18-inch wheels are wrapped in Continental tyres with decently thick sidewalls however regardless of this the normally tender suspension can really feel harsh over sure bumps and floor imperfections that meet a sure amplitude. This occurs solely very sometimes however you do turn out to be alert as to what sort of roads to avoid.
Secondly, although the outside and inside styling hints at a extra playful chassis, it feels fairly numb to drive. The steering, via its undersized wheel, may be very mild even subsequent to smaller metropolis vehicles and equally quick lock-to-lock. Exact and able to fast manoeuvres, certain, however largely void of tactile connection.
Nonetheless, efficiency from its 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol is expectedly punchy with a really usable peak torque (240Nm) vary for easy overtaking whereas sustaining above common mechanical refinement. It’s simply too dangerous it’s paired to the older-gen 6-speed Aisin computerized that’s been with us for greater than a decade as a substitute of the newer 8-speed unit seen in Peugeots (even the 3008) bought in different markets, additionally sourced from Aisin.
The paddle shifters work properly and look good however the shifts themselves by no means really feel any extra hurried than they’d with out the handbook override, which at all times favours slower gear adjustments with as little judder as it may well muster.
2022 Peugeot 3008 Attract – Security & Tech
Right here, once more, is an enviornment the place the 3008 would possibly stumble in opposition to a few of its extra established rivals. On the tech entrance, when it comes to comfort in on a regular basis driving, occupants are fairly properly catered to with its 10-inch touchscreen and accompanying 12.3-inch driver’s show.
The interface is slick in its styling however isn’t the final phrase in intuitive operation because it took me couple of minutes to familiarize yourself with capabilities. This doesn’t bode properly given the truth that most infotainment and local weather management capabilities are managed by the touchscreen as a substitute of standard buttons and knobs (accurately).
There appears to be an apparent intention to sacrifice a point of ergonomic simplicity in favour of favor and minimalism. There’s quite a few different inconsistency points as properly, such because the very properly built-in Qi wi-fi smartphone charger, however solely a single and deeply recessed USB connection which, regardless of a number of makes an attempt, I by no means started working to allow Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
And sure, it positively does have that characteristic built-in.
Regardless of together with some welcome lively security options comparable to Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Consideration Warning and Lane Preserve Help, it misses out on Autonomous Emergency Braking, a cornerstone of any trendy car’s ADAS arsenal.
One may argue that Rear Cross Visitors Alert or a 360-degree digicam system could be a greater addition however with all the info that helps how probably lifesaving AEB might be, it’s a obvious omission when even native contenders such because the Proton X50 and Perodua Ativa are actually carrying it.
It positively loses factors subsequent to its closest class rivals on this respect and will even be a dealbreaker to those that prioritise security and count on it of their subsequent automotive, that are a rising proportion of the automotive shopping for inhabitants.
Conclusion
There’s rather a lot to be stated concerning the 3008 in Malaysia. Prefer it’s earlier pre-facelift type, its opponents haven’t managed to match its inherent strengths, although a few of its key weaknesses haven’t been addressed in full.
As a package deal, the Peugeot can’t be denied as a supremely rounded SUV, mixing fashion and performance, even efficiency and luxurious in a method that leaves its contemporaries seemingly boring and uninspired by comparability.
Nevertheless, there are compromises that, to some, might be insurmountable within the minds of would-be consumers. On this case, the spec sheet and worth proposition comes tragically near equalling the aptitude and the competence supplied by remainder of the 3008 expertise, however finally falls brief.
[ad_2]
Supply hyperlink