PEUGEOT makes good-looking and stylish cars nowadays and they have won numerous "Car of the Year" awards globally mainly for this very reason.
The new 2008 is no different, isn't it such an attractive compact sport utility vehicle (SUV)? The car is still "new" in the market, having been launched earlier this year, and people tend to turn their head when they see one.
The competitively priced 2008 can also be "Frenchly-charming" or quirky, depending on how you see it.
Oh, there is also one problem, though: The 2008 is in a very competitive market.
STYLISH AND QUIRKY
The new 2008 is a second-generation model distributed by Bermaz Auto Alliance (BAASB) and is locally assembled at the Stellantis manufacturing plant in Gurun, Kedah.
The B-segment SUV is offered in sole Allure variant, retailing at RM126,753 on-the-road without insurance.
It is backed by a five-year, 100,000km warranty along with a three-year, 60,000km free service maintenance package.
This writer is attracted to the car because of its styling.
There is a large front grille with chrome dashes that are longer towards the outer sides, the three-claws kind of LED daytime-running lights, a set of 17-inch Salamanca alloy wheels, a kind of smoked dark tail-lights, and black panels on the C-pillars that give a sense of floating roof.
And then there are those striking "fangs" that run downward on the outer sides of the front bumper; how could you not like that distinctive look?
Overall, the car is a great looker from all angles.
The "French-y" sentiment is felt in the cabin, where it is not only stylish but voguish and, at some points, rather futuristic as well.
At first glance, it looks like there is a lot to learn, especially for the uninitiated.
The well-known Peugeot i-Cockpit is present in its latest generation form. It 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.
I particularly like the three-dimensional instrument screen. It consists of a multi-layer display that delivers a cool effect as you move your head from side to side.
Also, there's a hexagonal piece between the screen and the steering wheel that not only acts as a frame but also has a pair of slim display panels on either side for the turn signals and other warning lights. Neat.
The cabin is dominated by black surfaces but it doesn't appear as monotonous because it is backed by a nice combination of chrome, grey plastics and faux carbon inserts.
Build quality is getting better and I find the cabin to be a pleasant place to be in. Plus, the seats are especially comfy.
However, the cabin of the 2008 had some quirky elements to it.
For instance, the piano-styled toggles below the air-conditioning vents on the centre console are a piece of art, look expensive and have good tactile feel to them but, too bad, they are assigned to functions that you rarely, use such as A/C Max and windshield defrosters.
It would have been a lot better if they can be used to adjust air-conditioning fan speed or climate control; you know, functions that you manage more regularly.
The grouping for the buttons on the steering wheel are also a little bit here and there.
The volume buttons are on the left-hand spoke, same side with the button that shows driving info but the toggle to select next or previous tunes is on the right-hand side.
Another issue that is quite crucial is the cruise control stalk: it's placed in the worst possible location, hidden behind the steering wheel and right below the signal stalk.
You won't see it unless you look over to the side of the steering wheel.
You better memorise what each button does before driving off because you are going to have a hard time figuring them out when you are already on the move.
THE DRIVE
Now, I had been keen to drive the Peugeot 2008 when I first saw the car at its local launch.
My initial expectation was it was going to drive great and fun, just like my experiences with the bigger 3008 and the 208 hatchback.
And the 2008 met my expectations rather precisely; it was an entertaining crossover to drive with a lot of punch.
The 1.2-litre turbocharged PureTech three-cylinder engine churns out a healthy 128hp and 230Nm of torque, and output was transferred to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
The engine felt very peppy under 140kph, which was like 95 per cent of the conditions you were going to drive it in.
So acceleration around town was simply effortless, making it an easy-going daily roundabout car.
The fun factor was partly contributed by the i-Cockpit cabin; with a flat top and bottom steering wheel almost making one feel like piloting a spaceship.
The steering was also pretty light to operate, although it was awkward at first to see the instrument panel above the steering wheel instead of through it.
But after getting used to it in a short while, it was fun, kind of like driving a go-kart.
The rear suspension was also on the softer side. The car leaned a bit when you input the steering to either direction but somehow, this whole experience made me - a driver who usually prefers a sportier handling car - care not about the sporty stuff.
But don't get me wrong, the 2008 was immensely stable at high speeds and despite some body rolls, actually offered a huge amount of grip.
The NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels were also excellent. I felt the 2008 could sit right up there against its rivals in this sense.
One letdown though was the slow response for the throttle even in Sport mode.
It took a while to transfer your right foot input and yes, it was noticeably livelier in Sport mode but the initial response just was not there.
THE VERDICT
The Peugeot 2008 might not be the most intuitive car with its quirkiness but it definitely was a great, fun drive and could be a practical crossover for small families.
It was also very refined and despite being fun to drive, it was still rather economical, returning 13km per litre easily in daily usage.
At the end of the day, it is all a matter of choice and preference though.
I would buy the 2008 just for its styling and fun driving attributes.
