Peugeot 4008 Active manual 2012 review

It wears a Peugeot badge and chic French wardrobe but the 4008 is actually the Mitsubishi ASX under the skin. The 4008 rolled out of the same Mitsubishi factory in Japan and landed on our shores in March. It started to gain some showroom traction since then, and notched up 110 sales in August, but the ASX more than tripled that result.

VALUE

Priced from $28,990 the Peugeot 4008 is $3000 more than the base model Mitsubishi ASX. The 4008 gets extra features like speed sensitive power steering, six speakers to the ASX’s four, a cooled glove box, rain sensors, illuminated fade technology, metallic finish inserts on doors, automatic headlamps and LED daytime running lights.

Explore the 2012 Peugeot 4008 range

• Peugeot 4008 2012 review: off-road test
• Peugeot 4008 2012 review: road test
• Peugeot 4008 2012 review: first drive
• Peugeot 4008 AWD auto 2012 review
• Peugeot 4008 Allure 2012 review: snapshot
• Peugeot 4008 Active 2012 review: snapshot
• Peugeot 4008 auto and manual 2012 review
• Peugeot 4008 Allure 2012 review
• Peugeot 4008 Active manual 2012 review
• Peugeot 4008 2012 review

But it misses out on the ASX’s chrome door handles, hill holder, remote boot release and spare wheel space saver. And the 4008 gets a three-year 100,000km warranty, while the ASX has a more generous five-year 130,000km one.

TECHNOLOGY

The 4008 has a 2.0-litre engine producing 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque, mated to either the five-speed manual tested here or a six-speed constantly variable transmission. The base model is only available in front wheel drive, however the top spec Allure has the option of front wheel drive, four wheel drive or “lock” mode for when you’re bogged.

DESIGN

The 4008 has a wide nose with a large floating grille and sharp headlights. The exterior has mild wheel arches holding 16-in wheels, body coloured bumpers and door handles, power door mirrors and tinted windows. The interior is simple, without fiddly technologies and there are plenty of storage spaces for your bits and pieces. The space should be fine for young families but not for those with long-limbed teenagers.

Cheap seat material is used in the base model Active; one passenger likened it to “train seat material.” However, the top spec Allure has attractive leather on the steering wheel, shift knob and seats.

SAFETY

Safety features include seven airbags, ABS technology, electronic brake force distribution and electronic stability, daytime running lamps and rear view mirror with electric anti glare. There’s no hill start assist with the 4008 base model, a bit of a letdown considering this is a feature in most new SUVs including the Mitsubishi ASX.

DRIVING

The 4008 doesn’t live up to Peugeot’s usual standards when it comes to the driving experience and this is probably because you become more aware of the Mitsubishi under the skin. The automatic 4008 we previously drove was sluggish and poorly matched to the engine, as it often struggled to find the right gear. However, the manual in this test is a more exciting option, as it provides greater driving control and gives it a bit of life.

A large amount of road noise enters the cabin and the suspension doesn’t handle bumpy roads well. However, the 4008 does the job well enough around town, manoeuvring easily through traffic and turning in a tight 10.6-metre circle, making it a capable parker and nimble around narrow city corners. Overall, while the drive isn’t impressive, it’s a practical SUV with a price tag that’s easy on the wallet.

VERDICT

It’s a case of style over substance, but if you’re looking for an attractive compact SUV, the 4008 is worth a test.