2012 Peugeot 4008 Reviews

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.VALUEPriced 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.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.TECHNOLOGYThe 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.DESIGNThe 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.SAFETYSafety 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.DRIVINGThe 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.VERDICTIt’s a case of style over substance, but if you’re looking for an attractive compact SUV, the 4008 is worth a test.

If Victoria Beckham were French, she’d drive a Peugeot 4008 instead of a Range Rover Evoque. The former Posh Spice had a hand - so they say - in styling the interior of the Evoque and she wouldn’t be disappointed with the 4008.While the Pug is French, there are none of the usual French quirks about styling or utilitarianism inside. The blinkers are on the right side, the handbrake is close to the driver and all the controls are intuitive – all this in a very stylish catwalk model. Kind of like having a French girlfriend with no nasty habits liking smoking Gauloise in bed.VALUEHere’s one of the best attractions about this French model - she’s not expensive. The two-wheel-drive models start with five-speed manual in Active trim at $28,990 which makes them comparable to Japanese and Korean models (Nissan Dualis, Hyundai ix35 and Mitsubishi ASX on which it is based). CVT adds $2500 and all-wheel drive an extra $2000.The Active comes with a host of features including cruise control, Bluetooth with audio streaming, chilled glovebox, daytime running lights, automatic lights and wipers, cloth seats, leather steering wheel and 16-inch alloy wheels. Allure adds 18-inch alloys and leather seats which are heated and electronically controlled up front. Top of the line is the all-wheel-drive Allure with CVT at $38,490 with all the fruit.It’s French class at Asian prices. However, the sting is in the cost of metallic paint at $800 and the “premium” shade which is an extra  $1300. Peugeot has followed the trend with fixed-price servicing of $330 a year for three years making it a practical as well as attractive proposition. This is also available on fleet sales. Peugeot even throws in a valet service.TECHNOLOGYPeugeot has been at the forefront of diesel cars in Australia and the company has championed diesel on the famous Le Mans circuit with some success. Yet there is no diesel on offer here. Instead, it’s the same two-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine from the ASX. The 110kW of power pulls the 1.4-tonnne vehicle to 100km/h in just under 10 seconds, which is ok but hardly sizzling.And it’s not as if it’s frugal at claimed figures of 7.7L/100km for the manual two-wheel drive and up to 8.1L/100km for the CVT AWD. On our tests in the Allure AWD CVT and Active AWD manual over a mix of road and traffic conditions, we scored a dribble under 9L/100km for both.DESIGN The resemblance to the stunning Evoque is uncanny, particularly in the bold front end. However, the roof line doesn’t dip as far toward coupe-like styling as the Evoque and the result is that the rear compartment is not as cramped or claustrophobic. You wouldn’t think it was based on the rather plain-Jane ASX. Inside, it is not as stylish as the Evoque, but still quite a classy place to be. And thankfully all the controls are intuitive and easy to use. This is very atypical of the French who like to make things difficult and quirky. No stalks hidden behind steering columns here or audio systems that make you guess what the buttons are for.SAFETYThe 4008 has not been crash tested here yet, but it has a maximum five-star Euro NCAP score. All models come standard with a rear camera and seven airbags. Strangely there is a full-size spare wheel under the boot floor but it is only rated up to 80km/h. It takes up cargo space, yet doesn’t really provide much peace of mind if you venture out bush to test its AWD capabilities.DRIVINGPeugeot has toughened up the suspension over the ASX to give this more off-road capability. It feels remarkably tied down on sealed roads with little wallow around sweepers or sway in quick changes of line. Yet it does crash and bang over the hard hits off road or in city potholes. There is substantial road grip out of the road-biased tyres, but these are compromised in sticky off-road situations. While the suspension is taut, the rest of the drive experience is a little on the soft side. Brakes lack initial bite and the steering feels a little ponderous. Still, they both have feel and effect. The engine is smooth and refined without being either lusty or frugal like some of its peers from VW and Mazda. It is perhaps hampered by transmissions that don’t match the performance.While the CVT is smooth and doesn’t scream like most, it doesn’t provide swift responses to throttle input. The five-speed manual just seems out of date with today’s six-cog units. The manual does have a nice gate and the clutch is very light. A hill-start hold is a handy addition. Driver and passenger accommodation is comfortable with easy access and plenty of leg and headroom. However, it will still only fit two teens or adults comfortably in the rear. Extra sound deadening material provides a quiet cabin. Surprisingly there seems to be more luggage space than the ASX.VERDICTFor French flair without the price tag, this is a good value proposition.

Peugeot has based the 4008 on the Mitsibishi ASX platform, with the aim of becoming a strong contender in the growing Australian SUV market.However, sales haven’t been great for the small SUV, with only 59 sales for the month of July. If you compare this to the market leaders in this segment - the Nissan Dualis with 1,183 sales, Hyundai ix35 with 942 sales, and the Subaru XV with 768 sales - something about the 4008 isn’t clicking with Aussie car buyers.VALUEThe vehicle starts from $28,990 for the base model and climbs up by nearly $10,000 to $38,490 for the Allure. We drove the Allure that comes with luxury extras like electronically operated front seats, height adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, chrome inserts on the door sills, and black lacquer highlights.While it’s essentially a Mitsubishi under the skin, the ASX is priced nearly $2,000 lower for the top spec Aspire from $36,990. The differences are found in the features list, as the 4008 gets 18 inch alloy wheels, (ASX gets 17 inch), leather seats, power door mirrors and power steering. But the ASX gets 5 years 130,000km roadside assist compared to the 4008’s 3 years 100,000km.DESIGNIt’s a relatively simple design, which will probably be the preference for those not looking for an overly styled family car. The silhouette of the 4008 has a traditional SUV body shape - a curved back, and wide noise - with a large chrome grille flanked by two slanting chrome headlights. The abundance of leather on the steering wheel, shift knob and seats is impressive. There are also black piano lacquer highlights on the door trims and centre console and for a bit of privacy there’s dark tinted glass.The standard features are laid out clearly on the dashboard; 12V auxiliary sockets, Bluetooth connectivity and a six speaker stereo that can be controlled via the controls on the leather steering wheel. The tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel is easy to manoeuvre to your preferred position. However, for some the interior may lack personality, as the only novel touch is the “see you” text that appears on the dashboard when you switch the car off.For those with a young family the interior space should be fine but it’s not for families with long-limbed teenagers as the backseats barely seat two adults comfortably. The boot also isn’t very big with a load capacity of 384 litres, but they can be dropped to 1193 litres.SAFETYSafety features include seven airbags, ABS with electronic brake assist, emergency brakes assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, side impact absorbing door padding, force limiting seatbelts, three-point seatbelts on all seats and three rear seat child restraint anchorage points.TECHNOLOGYUnder the skin the 4008 has the same two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the Mitsubishi's ASX. It comes with a six-speed constantly variable transmission with 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque. And the official combined fuel economy is 8.1-litre but on our tests we averaged 9.4-litres.You have the choice of 2WD or on-demand 4WD and there’s also “lock” mode which is made for soft surfaces. So you’ll only need to switch to this mode if you go off road or find yourself bogged.DRIVINGWith the 4008 it was hard to get past the fact that it’s the ASX under the boot and it didn’t quite live up to Peugeot’s usual standards. It’s definitely not for the avid driver, as the cabin is far from quiet, with plenty of road and engine noise.The suspension was a bit stiff due to the 18inch alloy wheels, so when we drove over uneven surfaces the car shuddered heavily. The six speed auto transmission struggled to find the right gear on hills, which resulted in a sluggish climb. In fact, we had to switch over to manual mode to get a bit of zest out of the Allure.But putting these negatives aside, for around town the 4008 does the job, manoeuvring well through traffic, holding steady in start stop traffic and providing good all round vision, through the wide rear and side mirrors.Actually, probably the best thing about the drive was the vision, especially at night. This is due to some top spec features, such as the Xenon headlights with auto height adjustments, which really provided clarity of vision. There are also double optic halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights and front fog lights.Overall, while the drive wasn’t impressive, it has all the features you need from an SUV, as well as a price tag that’s easy on the eyes.VERDICTSo if you’re looking for an affordable SUV that is suitable for the city and can go off road then the 4008 is worth a look.

The 4008 is French carmaker, Peugeot’s, first entry into the booming compact SUV market.It is part of a joint venture between Peugeot and Mitsubishi and comes off the same Japanese factory as the Mitsubishi ASX. The ASX was launched here in July 2010 nearly two years ahead of the Peugeot.VALUEWith a price range of $28,990 to $38,490 the Peugeot 4008 offers excellent value for a European SUV, or more correctly a European-styled SUV. The value is increased when Peugeot’s new Assured Service Plan is factored in.The plan places a $330 capped price on all services during the first three years of its life and applies to all buyers, be they private, business, fleet and or government. It also transfers if the car is sold within that three-year period. Equipment levels are high and it offers excellent value for money. The Active gets 16-inch alloy wheels, reversing camera with rear vision mirror display, cruise control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, reversing camera with a rear-vision mirror display, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth telephone and audio, USB and auxiliary sockets, climate-control air conditioning, coloured multifunction monitor and a full-sized spare wheel/tyre.The higher-specced Allure adds xenon headlights, leather trim interior, 18-inch alloys, powered and heated front seats.TECHNOLOGYPeugeot 4008 comes in the Active (with 2WD and AWD, manual and CVT) and Allure (AWD and CVT only). Unusually, for a company that for many years bucked the petrol-only trend in Australia by selling diesel-powered passenger cars, the 4008 is only offered with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, with power and torque peak at 110 km and 197 Nm (at 4200 rpm).Diesel engines are available for the 4008 however, in line with the European preference, only with manual transmission, a combination that Peugeot Australia believes would not attract sufficient sales in our auto-centric market to justify them being imported. By contrast, Mitsubishi, with no history of diesel passenger cars, has included a 1.8-litre manual-only diesel in the ASX range.DESIGNAlthough the two vehicles are almost identical under the skin the Peugeot 4008 and Mitsubishi ASX have their own distinctive styling. Except for the roof and doors, all external panels are different. Styling is a very personal thing but we’ve long been fans of the current Peugeot design theme especially the wide-mouthed grille that stands out as the 4008’s dominant feature.Inside is a soft texture fascia and lacquered piano-black centre console which adds a gentle ambience. The controls are large and well-placed with an instrument panel that’s back-lit day and night, unlike some others that, annoyingly, turn off when the car enters a tunnel.Interior space is about par for the course with reasonable rear headroom despite the dipping roofline. The rear seat is only really suitable for two adults or three pre-teen children with borderline rear legroom when the front seat is well back.Boot capacity is 416 litres with a relatively high loading lip partly the result of having a full-sized spare wheel under the floor. The rear seats fold to a storage space of 1193 litres, with the alternative of a ski hatch behind the folding armrest.SAFETYSafety features include seven airbags, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program and front foglights.DRIVINGWe’ve just completed back-to-back tests on an automatic AWD Allure and a manual AWD Active on a mixture of suburban, motorway, rural (including gravel) roads. Although it’s among the lighter models in its class (between 1375 kg and 1470 kg) its performance, although capable enough in everyday conditions is certainly not exciting. The manual gearbox is a five-speed unit which revs a bit too high when cruising and could do with an extra gear. Otherwise it’s light and easy to use.The all-wheel drive system in the 4008 has three settings: 2WD for urban conditions and lower fuel consumption, 4WD with electronically controlled torque distribution between the front and rear axles, and 4WD Lock for conditions that require maximum grip.Around town the 4008 is an excellent commuter with the higher driving position that appeals to female drivers and also adds to safety. The car cruised smoothly and quietly on the freeway, offset only by the annoying CVT noise when under hard acceleration or the excess revs at motorway speeds.The suspension compromise tends more towards the firm than the soft which will attract the driving enthusiast but it’s not so harsh as to deter the average commuter. On our initial test when Peugeot launched the 4008 they did send us along on some relatively harsh roads where a number of potholes sent some body-rattling shudders through the car.The positive side to the firm suspension is that it provides safe and precise handling and steering. It’s more at home in an urban rather than a rural environment where the combination of relatively heavy weight and small engine means that it can struggle in hilly areas.VERDICTOverall the Peugeot 4008 is a neat, well-built and well-engineered compact SUV that combines the best from its two source continents.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?This is Peugeot's penultimate new 4008 all wheel drive small SUV - a Pug version of the Mitsubishi ASX with better styling and different spec'.How much?Retails for $30,990What are competitors?Numerous; ASX, Nissan Dualis, Hyundai iX35, Skoda Yeti, Ssangyong Korando, Sooby XV, VW Tiguan perhaps.What's under the bonnet?Power comes from a 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder lifted from the Mitsubishi Lancer small car- and ASX. It's good for 110kW/197Nm output and features variable valve timing but not direct fuel injection.The manual is a five-speeder while the CVT auto has six 'steps.'How does it go?Acceptable performance is available from the manual but it needs another cog to make highway cruising easier and also give better fuel economy and acceleration through the gears.Is it economical?We got into the low 8.0s without really trying so the claim of 7.9 litres/100km seems right.Is it green?Greenish with a Euro 4 rating - needs to get better in a hurry to keep up with other makes.Is it safe?Five stars.Is it comfortable?Very. The suspension is softish, the seats are a good shape, there's adequate sound deadening and it runs smoothly and quietly. The Active scores plenty of kit despite playing second fiddle to the high spec' Allure.What's it like to drive?A good all round hack for commuting, general driving, even venturing off road (dirt roads, sand and snow) thanks to the selectable all wheel drive system with lock-up.Is it value for money?Pretty good compared with similar sized and styled cars from other European makers - thousands less actually. But it needs a diesel and a proper auto.Would we buy one?Possibly. Like the styling, the size, the features and the price is competitive but the petrol engine struggles a bit and when you work it, uses much more fuel. Perhaps a 1.6 turbo petrol is the answer.

Let's get something straight. The 4008 might be a successor to the 4007 soft roader but the two cars really have nothing in common. The 4008 does however have quite a lot in common with Mitsubishi's ASX of which it is almost a copy  apart from the styling.The two companies were looking at a merger back in 2008 but the deal fell over. It did however give rise to some shared projects: the Outlander-based 4007 was one and now the smaller ASX-based 4008. Some would suggest the car's Mitsubishi heritage is a positive that will instil confidence in the brand and attract punters that would not ordinarily shop Peugeot.DESIGNAll exterior panels, apart from the doors are unique to the 4008. The off-road character has been accentuated with a vertical grille, body sill protectors and prominent wheel arch protection  wheel arches that accommodate larger and fancier 18in wheels. The interior exudes a rich feel with soft touch surfaces, piano black trim and chrome highlights.MECHANICALSSame 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine that produces the same power and torque at 110kW and 197Nm. Same 6-speed CVT style continuously variable auto, with paddle gear shifters and the same instruments and switch gear inside. All wheel drive is standard, but two-wheel drive can be selected. It's a case of spot the difference.WHICH ONE?So, the question becomes which one? Based on price and length of warranty you'd have to pick the ASX (with 5 years on the drivetrain).But it's not that easy because the Peugeot is covered by fixed price servicing for the first three years. Service costs are capped at $330 a year for the first three years and that includes a valet service.PRICESSurprisingly, the French chic does not command an exorbitant premium. Prices for ASX start at $25,990 while the 4008 kicks off at $28,990. But the gap narrows to $1500 at the top of the tree, with $36,990 for the Aspire and $38,490 for the top of the range Allure.But, before you go racing for the door, check out the spec sheet because there's some significant differences  like the fact satnav is standard on the Aspire but a $1495 option with the Peugeot. The Aspire also boasts a hi-end 9-speaker Rockford-Fosgate audio system, complete with separate subwoofer.SAFETYBoth are fitted with seven airbags and both come with an array of safety systems including a reversing camera. The ASX scores five stars and there's no reason to believe the Peugeot though not tested yet would not attract the same rating.DRIVINGThe CVT transmission while convenient doesn't do the car any favours. It doesn't feel as powerful as the figures suggest and you need to select manual mode to really get it moving. Thankfully paddle shifts are provided to make the job easier.Where's the hell is the diesel? Mitsubishi offers a diesel and Peugeot which is renowned for its diesels offers one overseas, but there's no suggestion that it will bring one here? Fuel consumption is rated at 8.1 litres/100km (we were getting 7.8). Good to see a full sized spare in the boot, but it's limited to 80km/h.VERDICTLooks good, more stylish, particularly the strong front and the effect is underlined by the larger cavity filling wheels. But the performance is average and it needs satnav and an audio upgrade to keep pace with the Mitsubishi.

Although it’s one of Europe’s longest-established brands in Australia, French carmaker Peugeot has been in the doldrums recently with a limited vehicle range, supply problems and an ageing buyer base suppressing sales.The company is looking to stage a revival in 2012 led by two all-new models both aimed at younger buyers. We’ve just attended the launch of the first of this pair, the 4008 SUV. It will be joined later this year by the new 208 city hatch.The 4008 is one of three vehicles produced from a joint venture between the PSA Peugeot Citroen group and Mitsubishi, being built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi ASX.The other two are the slightly larger Peugeot 4007 / Mitsubishi Outlander and the all-electric Mitsubishi iMiEV and Peugeot iOn. Citroen variants of all three vehicles are also produced but we know of no plans for them to come to Australia at this stage.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTWith a price range of $28,990 to $38,490 the Peugeot 4008 offers excellent value for a European SUV, or more correctly a European-styled SUV. Peugeot lists its main competitors as Nissan Dualis (from $24,990), Mazda CX-5 (from $27,800), Subaru XV (from $28,490) and Volkswagen Tiguan (from $28,490). Strangely its Mitsubishi ASX twin (from $25,990) is not seen as a direct rival, supposedly because of its lower equipment levels.Adding to the Peugeot’s value equation is the Assured Service Plan that places a $330 capped price on all services during the first three years of its life. The plan applies to all buyers, be they private, business, fleet and or government and is transferable if the car is sold. Two equipment levels are offered, Peugeot 4008 Active (with 2WD and AWD, manual and CVT) and 4008 Allure (AWD and CVT only).Standard on all models are seven airbags, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program, front foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, reversing camera with a rear-vision mirror display, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth telephone and audio, USB and auxiliary sockets, climate-control air conditioning, coloured multifunction monitor and a full-sized spare wheel/tyre.For an additional $5000 the Allure provides xenon headlights, leather trim interior, 18-inch alloys, power and heated front seats.DESIGNWe found the styling of the ‘French’ SUV that much more appealing than the ‘Japanese’ one especially the large, vertical grille that gives it an imposing stance on the road.Inside is a soft texture fascia and lacquered piano-black centre console which add a gentle ambience. The controls are large and well-placed with an instrument panel that’s back-lit day and night, unlike some others that, very inconveniently, turn off when the car enters a tunnel. There’s good head and legroom in all five seats. Maximum boot space is 416 litres with the rear seatbacks in place and 1193 with them lowered.TECHNOLOGYA little surprisingly for a company with a long history of diesel engines in this country, Peugeot 4008s only come here with a 2.0-litre petrol. The problem is that diesels are not yet mated to an automatic transmission, something the local Peugeot people consider all but essential for local buyers.Incidentally, the larger Peugeot 4007 does come with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with manual or DSG automatic transmission but only with 4WD.The four cylinder petrol engine generates 110 kilowatts of power at 6000 rpm and 197 Newton metres of torque at 4200 revs and is mated to either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT).As is now the norm in the small SUV segment the 4008 comes with the choice of two or four-wheel drive. The former wasn’t available for our launch road test but we’ll report on it when we carry out our extended test in a few weeks.The Peugeot 4008’s 4WD system comes with three modes: 2WD for urban conditions and lower fuel consumption, 4WD with electronically controlled torque distribution between the front and rear axles, and 4WD Lock for conditions that require maximum grip.DRIVINGOur test drive took us on a 300 km route to the north of Sydney with an even spread of motorway, rural and dirt roads. The 4008 cruised smoothly on the freeway with the additional soundproofing above that on the ASX doing its job and providing a relaxed, comfortable trip. The next section of the route was on some enjoyable back-country roads where the Pug handled at least as well as other similarly sized SUVs that we’ve driven.On the downside we found the steering to be a little too wooden for our tastes and we had our usual issues with the irritating noise from the CVT under hard acceleration.With only AWD models available for our test, Peugeot included a moderately demanding 60 km section of dirt road between Wollombi and Wisemans Ferry to display the off-road credentials that the company feels should distinguish the 4008 from its softer competitors. Apart from a number of pot holes that send shudders through the car, it handled the conditions without any real problems.Our biggest issue came in the latter stages of our test when we had to climb up the steep slope out of Wisemans Ferry on the Hawkesbury River and the little petrol engine was really found wanting. On two occasions we needed to drop back to first gear to keep it moving.VERDICTThe Peugeot 4008 and Mitsubishi ASX share most of their mechanical components and underbody parts and have a similar styling theme, all external panels, with the exception of its doors and roof are different. 

After persevering with the Noddy-style 3008 “mum-bus'' for a long time, Peugeot now has a butt-kicker in the small SUV segment thanks to an alliance with Mitsubishi.The “model sharing'' arrangement has already yielded the 4007 for Peugeot built on the Mitsu' Outlander platform, and from that was spawned another, smaller vehicle called the 4008 due here in July.VALUEPeugeot Australia's pricing for the newcomer starts at $28,990 for the 2WD, manual base model. The Allure is available in 4WD with CVT only for $38,490. Generous comes instantly to mind as Peugeot Australia strives to get on buyer's shopping lists, as both models get a full size steel spare but satnav is optional in a package costing an additional $1495.The Active model features stuff like 16-inch alloys, multiple steering wheel controls, Bluetooth phone and audio, auto wipers and headlights,  auto dim mirror, climate control, cruise, privacy glass and a full size spare. The Allure gets more including leather, xenon headlights, 18-inch alloys, power adjust heated front seats and more.DESIGNThough considered “European'' the new 4008 actually rolls off a Mitsu' factory in Japan with its own distinctive style and character. It represents the best of both worlds Euro style and flavour/Japanese build quality you can't really go wrong. The lineup is fairly simple... two grades, Active and Allure, one engine, two transmissions and 2WD or AWD. Peugeot offers a couple of optional “packages'' specific to each grade.It has to rate right up there in the style department along with Kia's handsome Sportage and well ahead of the others. Not as macho-looking as Subaru's XV the 4008 shows a more sophisticated, elegant look to its flanks. The front looks powerful, the profile dynamic and the rear athletic. It's stands out on the road with chrome body hardware highlights and LED daytime running lights.The interior has a typical classy European look to it with a stylish dash featuring chrome highlights and piano black fascia, soft touch panels at every point and comfortable seats. There's room inside for four, five at a pinch and a reasonable amount of luggage.TECHNOLOGYThe engine is straight out of a Mitsubishi catalogue a 2.0-litre, twin cam, four cylinder, petrol four with variable valve timing on the inlet and exhaust sides for efficiency gains but no direct fuel injection. Maximum outputs are 110kW/197Nm with the best fuel economy from the base 2WD manual car rated at a respectable 7.7-litres/100km.A diesel powerplant is under consideration possibly with a six-speed auto option. The transmissions are a five-speed manual in Active only and a stepped CVT optional in Active and standard in Allure which is also only available all wheel drive. The AWD system has a four wheel lock-up mode for slippery conditions as well as 2WD and variable split torque 4WD It's all selected by a dial on the centre stack.SAFETYPeugeot has put safety at the top of its 4008 agenda with all variants scoring five stars and a reversing camera. This is on top of numerous other primary and secondary safety features.DRIVINGSurprisingly good for a little petrol SUV offering decent performance and fuel economy, easy highway cruising and low interior noise levels thanks to liberally applied noise suppression material within the body. It offers a comfortable ride with a sporty edge though cornering limitations are clearly defined.We found the CVT equipped model to be a more satisfying drive as it efficiently captures available power and is almost imperceptible in operation. You feel good driving 4008 partly because of the handsome “expensive'' appearance that puts the compact Pug ahead of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 at half the price. Can't argue with that.VERDICTYummy mummies are gonna love this one and so will the dads. Low-cost fixed-price servicing is a major consideration. The 4008 is a bit of class at an affordable price.

The first thing the other half said when he first saw Peugeot's new SUV was: "Gee, it looks like that Mitsubishi ASX." He'd be right. And unsurprisingly, the next question was the one on everyone's tongue: "Why would you buy the same car with a different badge?"Why indeed. For $3000 less, you can get the shared chassis/engine/gearbox combination from Mitsubishi. In a few more months, you will be able to buy yet another version with a Citroen badge on its bonnet. But as it turns out, three grand buys you more than a badge and the cachet that comes with it. And in the competitive compact SUV market, it's the fruit inside and out that wins the buyers, not its beating heart and bone structure.VALUEFor a Euro SUV, the price point is pretty impressive. The base Active manual starts at $28,990 in 2WD form, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) costing $2500, and on-demand, lockable 4WD a further $2000. Standard features include cruise control, dual-zone air-con and air-cooled glove box, parking sensors and a reversing camera which flashes up in the rearview mirror, and a six-speaker stereo with steering wheel buttons, Bluetooth and auxiliary connections.It sits on 16-inch alloys, but for $1000, the Active can be optioned with the Allure's two-tone 18-inch alloys and chrome side skirts; a pretty persuasive argument. The Allure is available in 4WD with CVT only for $38,490 - almost $10K more. It strangely misses out on standard sat-nav, but gets leather electric and heated seats and trim, chrome highlights, piano black trim on the doors, and those huge 18-inch alloys.The only options available are metallic or pearlescent paint ($800/1300), leather trim and electric heated seats on the Active ($3500), and the centre-mounted sat-nav and multimedia centre on both models ($1495). Peugeot Oz is also offering a capped price service plan that stays with the car, not the owner; $330 a year for three years or 60,000km.TECHNOLOGYUnfortunately, there's nothing new about the Mitsubishi-sourced 2.0-litre four-cylinder; the manual is only a five-speed, and the on-demand AWD system, which switches quickly enough, still has overt front-wheel-drive characteristics. Peugeot is lauded for its diesel technology, so why a conventional 2.0-litre four? Simple: no auto. Not yet, anyway. The excellent Peugeot RCZ coupe has both options, but the manual-only diesel accounts for just 10 per cent of sales. Plus, compact SUV sales are about 80 per cent automatic. So Peugeot saw no reason to offer the engine here - yet. We should see a diesel and six-speed auto in about a year's time.DESIGNThe 4008 is quite sleek and resolved, while retaining a French essence and air through individual and up-spec treatments both inside and out. Look a little closer, and the design lines such as squared-off wheel arches, relocated license plate recesses and soft-touch interior panels and trim set it apart from the Mitsubishi. In fact, only the door panels, roof and rear glass are carried over from the ASX; everything else is pure Pug. It also manages to avoid that 'adolescent kid with braces' look of some of its stablemates, such as the polarizing 3008 people-mover/crossover, or the bulky imposition of the outgoing Outlander-based 4007 mid-sized SUV.SAFETYFor its five star rating, the Pug works with seven airbags, a well-calibrated ABS and traction/stability control, hill holder, rear parking sensors and reversing camera. The ABS is sharp, but the stability control is buried pretty deep, and didn't dull all engine power delivery for seconds after coming on either - all good attributes in off-road applications. There is also a full-sized spare, though the 16-inch steel wheel is rated to 80km/h in the 18-inch shod cars.DRIVINGGiven those 18-inch rims, firmer spring and damper rates and recalibrated ABS and steering, we were a touch skeptical when turning off the beaten track and onto potholed, corrugated dirt roads south of Sydney on the local launch earlier this week. Only a few years ago, one wouldn't dream of taking an 18-inch-shod softie onto unsealed roads covered in potholes and cut up by causeways.But surprisingly, the car is quite deft both on and off the road with more speed than would be typically used by its buyers, provided you set it up and balance it for each corner. Body control is admirable, and while the steering is a little artificial in its speed detection, it is easy to drive if you drive it smoothly without any sudden jerky moves. The paddle-shifters on the CVT are easy to use, and the manual has a nice throw and seemed well-geared.In fact, the limiting factor to its cornering dynamics seemed to be the all-terrain tyres; simply not bitey enough on the hard-packed dirt with a layer of dust, and tending to give up a little at the front in faster corners. The trade-off on tarmac is a tendency is to push incrementally, not squeal or fold under, and the 225/55 profile has enough rubber to absorb without extricating mercury from molars. The 16-inch alloys and 215/70 rubber were not available to test, and will likely dull the steering and handling, but possibly offer more front-end bite on dirt depending on the rubber.While the ride and handling is a pleasant surprise, the drivetrain is disappointing in contrast. Neither the manual nor the CVT can hide the obvious hole in the torque, which leaves the car slowly building speed, brick by boring brick, until it climbs over the 3500rpm wall. It does acquit itself well once the wheels are rolling, but in this era of turbocharging small fours and excellent diesels with mounds of low-down torque, the conventional two-litre with a relatively peaky power and torque band (110kW at 6000rpm, and 197Nm at 4000rpm) is frustratingly weak from standstill or on steep inclines.Add four or five passengers and some luggage to its 1375kg - 1470kg kerb weight, as is this car's demographic, and your ears will no doubt fill with the whine from both engine and gearbox as they nab power from the peak, and no extra Pug padding in the uprated cabin will stifle it. You could add double-figure fuel use to that mix as well. But in the end, some may not notice nor care about such things. The downsides of slower initial acceleration can be countered by lofty specification and equally down-to-earth pricing, making the once unattainable Euro SUV a genuine proposition.VERDICTA solid SUV with decent spec and a distinctive look. It's no revolution, French or otherwise, to the compact SUV segment, but a diesel auto would be - will be - a different story.

Australia will be one of the first markets to get the Peugeot 4008 compact SUV, but may be one of the last to get a diesel drivetrain.The lack of an auto in the Mitsubishi-based 4008 diesel range means the June launch will be only the petrol drivetrain. For now, that is.“We’d like to get a diesel 4008, but we’d prefer to have an automatic and there isn’t one available in the range,” Peugeot spokesperson Jaedene Hudson says.“It’s not worth it to bring a manual diesel because there’s no demand for it here in that class. We prefer to wait and bring the automatic drivetrain when it’s available.” She says there isn’t one on the immediate horizon, but we can expect more news in the near future.TECHNOLOGYWhile the 4007 it replaces is based on the Mitsubishi Outlander, the 4008 starts from the Mitsubishi ASX platform.Overseas markets choose from the two manual diesels and two petrols. It will go on sale here with the larger of the latter: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder developing 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque. Output is delivered to either the front or both axles via the choice of two transmissions: a five-speed manual or a six-speed CVT with manual mode and paddle-shifters on the steering wheel.It’s an economical little thing in every version, with official fuel figures ranging from 7.7L/100km for the 2WD manual and 7.9L for the AWD. The CVT is 0.2L more for each of the drive versions.A console dial switches the all-paw’s on-demand system between 2WD/4WD/Lock, with varying serves of torque being dished up to each axle as requested – from 85 per cent maximum at the front in 2WD to 82 per cent maximum at the rear in Lock.VALUEPricing will be announced closer to June, but the entry is likely to be sub-$30,000 – a critical level in a highly-competitive field, about $5000 below the outgoing 4007.Spec is yet to be finalised, but Peugeot says it will arrive in two trims: Active on all drivetrains and Allure on AWD only. Features will follow those already on the 3008 that arrived about 18 months ago with a decent helping of LEDs, auto lights and wipers, Bluetooth, parking sensors, cruise, climate control airconditioning, sunroof and 16-in alloys as standard fare. Upstairs can look for leather and heated seats, darkened privacy glass, 18-in wheels and a touchscreen satnav in the goodies bag.SAFETYIt should also echo the 3008’s five-star ANCAP crash rating, with seven airbags, stability and traction controls and anti-skid brakes with extra help for panic stops and to compensate for uneven loads.DESIGNIt’s a stunner. With the front a sculpture of lines and creases flowing back from the imminently-signature floating grille and onto the flanks, it’s got an air of motion even standing still.But the shapely nose gives you no clue of where the corners are from the driver’s seat, and the protection of parking sensors will be a must.The cabin turns the other chic with elegant contours and finely-judged amounts of accent in either metal or piano black finish. The seats are contoured and comfortable, and it seems every surface and shape has been carefully decided. It’s styled-up but not overdone, accessorised but not ghetto-blinged. In a word, it’s French.DRIVINGToo many offroader test drives never get off the road. Peugeot did this one proud, digging up some of the local scenery and sculpting it into a dirt fun-park, complete with steep – about 35 degree – slopes and a healthy layer of loose surface.The 4008 took it with ease, proving the approach, breakover and departure angles handy for weekend warfare, and the AWD system skilled at finding the right torque division between axles. At the finish we were hoping the darkening sky would open so we could give it another shot garnished with le mud. We’re betting it would have been just as unruffled.But to get to the great outdoors, most buyers will have to trek a great deal of highway, and we were concerned about the CVT drivetrain’s performance at higher speeds. A quick litmus test showed at 110km/h it still had more to give for overtaking, but some planning will be needed to tackle a long truck or tight joust with oncoming traffic.There’s serious windrush around the A-pillars, and despite Peugeot’s extra work on sound-deadening, you’re always aware of the CVT’s low mooing soundtrack, with the engine chorus at higher revs.The paddle shifters are beautifully shaped and positioned to invite the hand, but feel flimsy once you start flicking them to toggle gears – with the CVT system showing some run-on when you requested a lower cog for cornering on downhill slopes. The bends also produced a top-heavy sway at any enthusiastic speed.None of that will likely bother the mostly urban owners, and – superficial as we are – we still can’t help but love the 4008 for its looks alone.VERDICTIt’s a great prospect for dirt, less so for bitumen. But it will wow on any café strip, and we can’t wait to see a diesel join it here.