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His verdict
THE Peugeot 4008 is a compact French SUV with enough character and va va voom to make you cry oh là là.
As a result of a Mitsubishi development partnership, this model boasts the best of both marques and is marketed as a ride for modern-day thrill-seeking adventurers.
It’s certainly easy to have an adventure in the 4008 and thanks to its all-road attitude this unassuming SUV may just surprise you.
There’s something intangibly appealing about a compact SUV since it combines the capability of an off-road machine with the manoeuvrability of a sedan. Although this model’s design is not particularly original, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Mitsubishi ASX, it ticks all the right boxes. Its floating grille, LED daytime running lights and side air intakes exude a generically appealing aesthetic.
The SUV’s interior is comfortable and well-laid out with everything easy to find and use. Some of the creature comforts include steering wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls and cruise control.
The interior ambiance is enhanced by the choice of materials, like the soft texture fascia, to the instrument panel visor and the lacquered black decoration of the centre console.
Under the bonnet of the model I drove was a 1.6-litre engine that provided adequate off-the-line acceleration.
The 4008 made light work of stop and go traffic in Manama and handled well around corners.
The real test came when I hit the highway and I’m pleased to say the 4008 handled it with very French finesse. The ride was steady and comfortable and although I may not have set any speed records, I made it to my destination on time and in style.
There’s a common misconception that the British are always at odds with the French, presumably over something I didn’t pay attention to in history class at school. However, I’m living proof you can sit an Englishman in the driver’s seat of this car and have no complaints.
Prices start from BD8,800 with 10 years or 1 million kilometres warranty. For details, call Zayani Motors on 17703703 or visit the showroom in Sitra.
– Charlie Holding
Her verdict
The Peugeot 4008 is as easy on the eyes as it is on the road, handling beautifully around corners while also acting as a cool fashion accessory for a woman-on-the-go like myself.
As I zoomed down the highway I thought to myself ‘the French manufacturers have done it. They have broken into the compact SUV segment with a reliable Japanese-engineered ride in pretty European styling’.
According to various car websites, the 4008 resembles its relatively over-styled brother the Mitsubishi ASX. It’s no wonder as the sporty SUV was engineered in Mitsubishi’s Okazaki factory, which also builds the ASX.
The 4008 is said to have been built on the same platform as Mitsubishi’s four-wheel drive with similar ride-height, doors, roof, A-pillars and windscreens. And, while it’s said that the ASX looks a little similar to the 4008 its actual touch and feel is noticeably different. The interior’s black-decorated centre console is aesthetically pleasing and features plenty of storage room, a blessing for many women who have too many things swirling about in their handbags.
The double stitching also adds an elegant touch.
There is ample head and legroom in the front and rear seats, enough to fit four large adults with ease and a fifth, if need be. The boot, in my opinion, is an important feature as I require loads of room to lug groceries around and my endless shopping bonanzas for shoes, a girl’s best friend. I’m glad to say that the 4008 did not disappoint as it had an abundance of space to fit all my purchases and a few leather boots too.
As for the drive itself, the experience was such an enjoyable one that at one point I had forgotten where I was going. It is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 10.9 seconds and I have been told, not that I tried it myself, to reach a top speed of 188km/h.
I especially loved the three driving modes that included the two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and the locked four-wheel drive for tricky off-road terrain.
Looking at the toggle with the options on the centre console I decided to put the vehicle to the test by switching onto the four-wheel drive and taking a short cut into the desert.
The SUV was a beast on the rough roads making it, in my opinion, a strong contender in its segment.
After my fun and wild adventure, I switched back onto two-wheel mode and made my way back to the Peugeot showroom in Sitra.
As I bid farewell to the sassy silver SUV I knew it wouldn’t be the last time I laid my eyes on it. I’m confident it will be picked up by drivers looking for a reliable ride combined with a few thrills and spills.
– Mai Al Khatib-Camille
