What's the difference?
Peugeot has dropped its traditional petrol and PHEV options for a new mild-hybrid system in the next-generation 3008.
We’re testing the flagship GT Premium Hybrid, which brings fresh styling, upgraded tech and a premium cabin into one of the most competitive SUV segments, but is it enough to stand out?
Don’t let people talk you into buying a tiny car just because you live in the city. That’s what I’ve learnt from being a car reviewer and living about eight kilometres from the CBD.
Yes, car spaces are small, or almost non existent, but the people that live there are as full-sized as people elsewhere and they often carry around just as much gear. What you need is a big, little car and the Renault Kadjar is that – a small SUV which is actually bigger than most.
The Kadjar is also French, and that’s appealing to us city folk because even though there are millions of us living in one square metre we like to think of ourselves as different, as individuals, cosmopolitan, metropolitan.
So the Kadjar looks perfect then, right?
Well, it’s good yes… in some ways, but after reading this you might prefer its Japanese cousin, the Nissan Qashqai. Let me explain...
The new Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid might not be the most spacious SUV for passengers, but it makes up for it with ample boot space and a standout design. It’s fresh-faced, interesting and packed with comfort features that elevate the everyday driving experience.
Is it expensive? Absolutely. But it also delivers a genuinely premium cabin that many rivals can’t match, along with refined on-road manners and efficiency that make it a pleasure to drive.
It doesn’t hit every note perfectly but there’s definitely a melody here worth listening to.
The Renault Kadjar Intens ticks a lot of the urban boxes. It’s small, which is good for navigating narrow city streets and parking in tight spaces, but it’s also spacious and practical. The Kadjar is fuel efficient for a four-cylinder petrol engine and it has that sophisticated French styling.
The Intens is expensive, though, and unless you absolutely have to have leather seats, a glass roof, and the Bose stereo I’d go for the mid-range Zen grade and save yourself $5K but still have all the same safety tech. That said the Intens has auto parking as standard which is a nice convenience for the city.
Safety could be better. The AEB system doesn’t have pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, or reverse emergency braking.
Finally, the dual-clutch automatic and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine while a fuel efficient combination, isn’t all that easy to live with and can make driving a less-than-smooth experience. The Nissan Qashqai’s combination of CVT auto and four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine is better suited to the urban jungle - something to think about there.Â
Now the scores, the Kadjar Intens gets the same mark for daily driving and its urban talents – it could be smoother to drive, but there’s still lots to like.Â