I could be sitting at the restaurant on Champs-Elysees sipping an expensive champagne but life doesn’t always work that way, right?
Instead the closest thing I could smell of Paris was the new Peugeot 2008 I recently had on test.
I have had the biggest crush on the Peugeot 2008 ever since it landed on our shores earlier this year. When I looked at some of the footage that was taken from the launch, and a few reviews in the media, I was dead set on proposing a date with this sexy beast. I consider this a safe space, so you can’t judge me on my obsession with compact SUVs. But what Peugeot has done with this car has had me sitting and day-dreaming about the day I would finally get to bond with it. And guess what? I finally secured my crush! What are the odds?!!
I’ll be honest, I’ve never really been a big fan of the Peugeot brand. I guess I have never taken time to understand their vehicles and what they bring to the world of automobiles. But the new Peugeot 2008 had me hooked at first hoot. It’s hard for me to accept this, but looks really matter to me. I know we are taught not to judge things for their outer appearances and how we have to take time to explore the beauty that lies within blah, blah, blah… but the exquisite aesthetic design of the 2008 had everyone turning their heads as my crush and I meandered through the intersections of Centurion. It really is a beautiful car.
The exterior had me under so much pressure. Errands were mayhem. I’d be stuck thinking about what crisp outfit to wear to match the sexy LED lights that immediately pop as you approach the vehicle. When you drive something that looks like the 2008, you really have to look the part. And one thing the French proved, is that looks DO matter and they definitely made that evident with this latest 2008. I have to mention the intelligent compact key that immediately unlocks the car as soon as you approach, and promptly locks it as you walk a little over a meter away from the car. All of this happens while the key is in your pocket and no action is required from you. I mean come on!
Peugeot definitely wanted our heads to roll when they designed the sophisticated sleek interior, might I add that the interior changes colours (red, blue and green) each time you start and stop the car. Talk about understanding the mood… It comes with a dynamic 3-D touch screen fitted with the ideal high resolution screen with crisp visuals, although some vehicles in the same category have a bigger screen, the 7.0 touchscreen seemed fitting for the 2008. There is a built-in type-C charging socket (definitely an innovative feature considering how phone chargers are designed) and the typical USB socket for my outdated iPhone. I was quite impressed with the foldable phone tray that can be simply folded in while your phone charges on the charging tray.
When it comes to performance, I could really feel the sportiness that comes with the 1.2 PureTech 6-speed automatic. It shoots off from a simple tap on the accelerator and in a matter of seconds, you’re already clocking the high double digits on your speedometer. And because I am not a speedster, I didn’t see any need for a “sport” option because it already moves quite swiftly. What I found interesting is the small steering wheel that makes you feel like you’re handling a race car, where in fact, you’re pulling an entire compact SUV.
The technology in the car is something out of a futuristic movie and you see that in how the driver interface is strategically positioned to make it seem as though you are Mark Shuttleworth. With the touch of a button, I could warm my seat, switch driving modes, move from navigation to dials and even change the climate in the car. After having taken the car everywhere for a little over a week, my fuel tank finally went into reserve and immediately the car displayed at least 4 filling stations on the navigation panel and the distance to each station. And let me add that the headlights automatically switch from dim to bright in the night as they see another car approach. WHAT??!!!!
I found the rear camera rather disappointing considering how innovative the screen and technology is. The vehicles sensors left me slightly worried, but this is probably because the car I drive screams as soon as something approaches it. What I did note though, social distancing seems quite important to Peugeot because it did not hesitate to tell me when I was a little too close to the car in front of me. Talk about boundaries during a pandemic!
My time with the 2008 was really well spent. Although I didn’t really Xplore the long and open road with it, the drive was smooth and serene. It’s perfect for the young executive. The Peugeot could make for a perfect baecation car to the coast and will definitely make for perfect snaps.
Model & Pricing
- Active 1.2T 96kW MT6 – R359 900
- Active 1.2T 96kW AT6 – R399 900
- Allure 1.2T 96kW AT6 – R429 900
- GT 1.2T 96kW AT6 – R479 900
