French cars have traditionally been a little
bit different, from their looks to the way they drive. Not any more, or
not necessarily. In recent years the French brands have joined the
trend of sharing major components - and, in some cases, entire vehicles -
with rivals.
For Peugeot, the 4007 was the first leap into the (largely) unknown by sharing a car with Mitsubishi. The 4008 is take two; curiously this model is smaller than the 4007 but it has much bigger sales aspirations thanks to sharper, sub-$30,000 pricing.
Both cars share their mechanicals and various design elements with a Mitsubishi (the Outlander and ASX, respectively) but the 4008 has more visual differentiation from its donor car
Peugeot has done an admirable job of giving the 4007 a unique look, with more aggressive lights and a bold nose.
All come with seven airbags, stability control, cruise control, Bluetooth, USB, climate control airconditioning, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers and tinted rear windows. There's also a 4WD-only Allure that's $38,490 and brings such things as electric front seats, xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels and leather inside.
It's difficult not to make comparisons with the Mitsubishi ASX, which is mechanically almost identical; a 4WD ASX starts at $1000 less and only misses out on the occasional feature, such as LED daytime running lights.
But the Mitsubishi gets a five-year warranty versus the Peugeot's three-year offering.
Despite the identical mechanicals the Peugeot also has longer service intervals - 20,000 kilometres versus Mitsubishi's 15,000 kilometres.
So for the first three years of servicing, the Mitsubishi will cost you $675 if you do less than 45,000 kilometres, or $900 if you do 60,000 kilometres. The Peugeot will cost you $990 for up to 60,000 kilometres.
The five-speed manual has some big gaps between the gears, something highlighted by the engine; the CVT auto is a better bet, constantly adjusting the gearing to the conditions and making for more relaxed progress.
The CVT takes a while to explore its upper rev limit, although there's a manual override that selects preset ratios for a more traditional auto feel.
Oddly, given its heritage with diesel engines, Peugeot Australia opted against the diesel engine available in the ASX, because it is not available with the automatic most SUV buyers want.
Suspension has been stiffened compared with the Mitsubishi version, with the aim of sharpening responses. But the 4008 is the least Peugeot of any Peugeot in the way it drives.
Steering is OK but is prone to kickback if bumps are encountered mid-corner, while there's noticeable tyre roar as speeds increase. Grip levels are respectable, although our car was fitted with the optional 18-inch wheels.
While it's no luxury car, the ride is composed enough and does a decent job of disposing of surface imperfections.
The dash design and layout are almost pure Mitsubishi, although red-lit instruments, additional chrome, some shiny black plastics and a Peugeot flavour to the trip computer (it displays ''see you'' when you turn the car off; perhaps ''au revoir'' would be more appropriate?) add a dash of flair.
For a compact SUV, seating space is surprisingly generous, although adults in the rear will still test the limits and three across the narrow back seat is a no-no for all but littlies.
The boot, too, has a high floor, which limits its carrying capacity, although a split-fold system and ski port cater for longer, bulkier items.
Storage up front is OK, too, with decent door pockets, a covered centre console (with sliding arm rest as a lid) and cupholders and compartments for smaller items.
For Peugeot, the 4007 was the first leap into the (largely) unknown by sharing a car with Mitsubishi. The 4008 is take two; curiously this model is smaller than the 4007 but it has much bigger sales aspirations thanks to sharper, sub-$30,000 pricing.
Both cars share their mechanicals and various design elements with a Mitsubishi (the Outlander and ASX, respectively) but the 4008 has more visual differentiation from its donor car
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Price and equipment
The 4008 kicks off at $28,990 (plus on-road and dealer costs) for a front-wheel-drive manual Active. An extra $2500 brings a CVT auto transmission, while a four-wheel-drive system adds a further $2000, making the Active auto 4WD a $33,490 proposition.All come with seven airbags, stability control, cruise control, Bluetooth, USB, climate control airconditioning, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers and tinted rear windows. There's also a 4WD-only Allure that's $38,490 and brings such things as electric front seats, xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels and leather inside.
It's difficult not to make comparisons with the Mitsubishi ASX, which is mechanically almost identical; a 4WD ASX starts at $1000 less and only misses out on the occasional feature, such as LED daytime running lights.
But the Mitsubishi gets a five-year warranty versus the Peugeot's three-year offering.
Despite the identical mechanicals the Peugeot also has longer service intervals - 20,000 kilometres versus Mitsubishi's 15,000 kilometres.
So for the first three years of servicing, the Mitsubishi will cost you $675 if you do less than 45,000 kilometres, or $900 if you do 60,000 kilometres. The Peugeot will cost you $990 for up to 60,000 kilometres.
Under the bonnet
A 2.0-litre four-cylinder makes an unremarkable 110kW of power; rev it hard and it accelerates respectably, although the engine gets raucous towards its 6500-rpm limit. Mid-rev flexibility isn't in abundance, either, meaning you'll need to rely on those higher revs up hills or for smarter acceleration.The five-speed manual has some big gaps between the gears, something highlighted by the engine; the CVT auto is a better bet, constantly adjusting the gearing to the conditions and making for more relaxed progress.
The CVT takes a while to explore its upper rev limit, although there's a manual override that selects preset ratios for a more traditional auto feel.
Oddly, given its heritage with diesel engines, Peugeot Australia opted against the diesel engine available in the ASX, because it is not available with the automatic most SUV buyers want.
How it drives
Mitsubishi has tweaked the suspension but the reality is it's more Japanese runabout than surefooted European cruiser in the way it behaves. The high-riding body will lean through bends when pushed, although it's reasonably controlled.Suspension has been stiffened compared with the Mitsubishi version, with the aim of sharpening responses. But the 4008 is the least Peugeot of any Peugeot in the way it drives.
Steering is OK but is prone to kickback if bumps are encountered mid-corner, while there's noticeable tyre roar as speeds increase. Grip levels are respectable, although our car was fitted with the optional 18-inch wheels.
While it's no luxury car, the ride is composed enough and does a decent job of disposing of surface imperfections.
Comfort and practicality
While the outside has undergone a styling transformation, the interior has had more of a warming over.The dash design and layout are almost pure Mitsubishi, although red-lit instruments, additional chrome, some shiny black plastics and a Peugeot flavour to the trip computer (it displays ''see you'' when you turn the car off; perhaps ''au revoir'' would be more appropriate?) add a dash of flair.
For a compact SUV, seating space is surprisingly generous, although adults in the rear will still test the limits and three across the narrow back seat is a no-no for all but littlies.
The boot, too, has a high floor, which limits its carrying capacity, although a split-fold system and ski port cater for longer, bulkier items.
Storage up front is OK, too, with decent door pockets, a covered centre console (with sliding arm rest as a lid) and cupholders and compartments for smaller items.
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