This SUV is a perfect marriage

Ever scrutinised the concept of true north? Who died and made north the king? Why is the reference point not east or west? Why don’t compasses point you in a southerly direction?

This applies to the local SUV segment as well, as most buyers tend to go with their true north: German, Japanese and Korean SUVs.

For the typical buyer, it is easier for them not to question alternative value, price, aesthetics and design styles. It is simply too much trouble to even test drive alternatives such as French manufacturer Peugeot’s facelifted 3008 SUV.

As a married couple, we had our own ideas about the new Peugeot.

His

I can see why this C-segment (small family vehicles) SUV is Peugeot’s most advanced vehicle, and I am convinced it should be a contender when the phrase “C-segment SUV” is thrown around.

It was a breeze piloting the 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine derivative. With 132kW, it allowed us to easily cover close to 1,000 km in a few days. For those looking for a less punchy performer, the entry-level 1.2-litre, three-cylinder motor with 96kW is the perfect way to be introduced to the 3008 offering. For dieselheads, there is a 1.5-litre engine that offers a decent 96kW of power.

A frameless grille, the illusion of a floating roof and a blacked-out C-pillar are just some of the car’s distinctively French styling cues. Inside, I fell in love with a genuinely premium interior, thanks to the generous use of leather, soft to the touch plastics and the standard i-Cockpit infotainment: a 12.3-inch display.

As much as I am a fan of things being done differently, there are times when the ordinary just works. My dislikes in the 3008 were the fact that the shift paddles were mounted on the steering column, instead of the actual steering wheel. This meant that changing gears was limited to when the steering wheel was in a certain position only, as it obstructs the paddle shifts when you are turning.

The spiffy interior. (Sibusiso Mkwanazi)

Hers

Every time I drove the car, people stared. Of course, I would like to claim some were staring at me, but there were a few more who were impressed by the vehicle. The colour combination of a grey exterior and red seats just works on this top of the range GT model.

This is one of the most spacious interiors in any of the cars I have driven, with rear passengers enjoying 24mm more legroom, 4mm more of that potential feud-causing elbow space and 36mm more headroom, all compared to the previous generation 3008.

We are unfortunately still in a pandemic, so my supersized hand sanitiser goes everywhere with me, and I was thoroughly impressed that it fits into the many nooks and crannies the car offers, such as the glove compartment, cupholders, centre storage compartment and all other storage spaces.

We were away for almost a week, so I now know that 520 litres of boot space translate to me being able to pack a change of outfit for each day, all my makeup, a decent selection of shoes, outfits for game drives, an elegant dress for a wedding and more. Hubby did not even have to use the rear passenger seats for his bag. Had he packed like a lady, we would have folded the second row of seats, increasing our boot space to 1,670 litres. All I know is that is a lot of litres of wine, but somehow in space.

The driver’s electronic seat is so intuitive, and not once did I feel the need to look for a manual or even Google how it works. At the same time, I struggled with the non-electric front passenger’s seat, when I was being driven by my chauffeur, who doubles up as hubby.

In terms of looks, this is definitely a stunner. All my selfies with it were brilliant, and it made me feel like it was a design monument, very much like the Eiffel Tower. At first glance, I thought it was quite masculine, but after spending a few days with it, I can confirm it has more than enough feminine and soft design elements, like its LED lights. If I had to personify the Peugeot 308, it would have to be a yoga or Pilates instructor, as it is deceptively underrated, but once you give it a chance, it can change your whole life outlook.