The car market has been privy to some very interesting models.
No less exciting are the Peugeot models, especially the 3008 which I had the opportunity to test drive over the weekend, courtesy of local distributor Nasim Sdn Bhd.
While the 3008 shares some styling cues with its smaller 308 hatchback, the high driving position of the former is akin to a sports utility vehicle.
Inside the 3008, the driver-biased dashboard looks more like a fighter plane cockpit than a regular car.
A long row of switches line the 3008’s centre console just below the central air vents and a head-up display (HUD) enhance the cockpit feel.
The HUD, which displays the vehicle’s speed, can be raised or lowered by a flick of a switch and its brightness can be adjusted according to the driver’s preference.
Chrome trimmings on air vent accents, meter dials and gear shifter knob add some contrast to the interior.
There’s certainly nothing to complain in terms of cabin space. Six-footers like me still get a few centimetres of head space to spare.
Powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine that produces up to 156bhp and 240Nm of torque, the 3008 is fast on its feet while promising to not to be too thirsty.
This engine, which is a product of a joint effort between the Peugeot-Citroen group with BMW, is a smooth and fiesty performer.
The car takes off quickly and one can be forgiven for believing that the 3008 feels more like a vehicle powered by a 2.0-litre engine.
Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.7 litres per 100km.
The six-speed auto adaptive gearbox with Tiptronic and Sport mode shifts the gears smoothly whether the 3008 is driven hard or sedately.
For listening pleasure, a premium radio/MP3/CD player with six-speaker system does a good job of delivering crisp sounds.
Extra audio controls are also available on a stubby stalk that sticks out of the steering column, which requires a bit of initial fiddling to get used to.
The vehicle’s cruise-control function is on another stalk behind the steering wheel - a feature found in many Peugeot models.
The 3008 comes with an automatic electronic parking brake activated by a switch near the gear shifter.
Rear passengers get their own air-conditioning vents located on centre console between the two front seats. The centre panel on the rear seats can also be retracted to act as cup holders.
The 3008 has no problem accommodating five people with their baggage.
Loading and unloading is made easy as the 3008’s rear comes with a split tailgate. Its upper portion swings up like a typical hatchback while the lower section flips down, much like a pick-up truck’s rear.
The cargo area also comes with a floorboard which can be raised to create a shelf space underneath it to store small items and of course, the rear seats fold flat for additional space.
The 3008’s panoramic roof adds to the airy ambience and the electronically-controlled curtain allows you to fine-tune the amount of sunshine filtering through.
In the safety department, it is probably enough to say that the 3008 has a Euro NCAP five-star crash rating.
The safety features include six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, brake force distribution, anti-skid regulator and dynamic stability control.
If you’re sitting on the fence between buying an MPV or an SUV, or just looking for something a little different with plenty of features, do check out this RM146,888 (on-the-road with insurance) vehicle.