Peugeot 2008 2015 Long-term Review - 4

At a time when you can seat yourself in a Mazda CX-3 – one of our motoring recommends stars of 2015 – for under $20,000, the $32,990 (plus on-roads) ask for the Peugeot 2008 Outdoor 1.6 e-HDi looks immediately steep.

Surely, though, it has specification to justify the premium? Well…

Like the CX-3, our long-term Pug is front-wheel drive, so there’s no mechanical tractive advantage, though the Peugeot uses ‘grip control’, which alters settings to suit different terrain; I tried the ‘all terrain’ mode on muddy grass and felt that I could modulate my own throttle inputs to similar effect.

The five-star ANCAP CX-3 entry point is the Neo 2.0-litre petrol (available from $19,990 plus on-roads), equipped with six-speed manual transmission. It produces 109kW and 192Nm, can run on E10 or 91RON unleaded and uses 6.3L/100km on the combined cycle test.

Step up in CX-3 grade, and automatic, turbocharged diesel and all-wheel drive variants are available. For reference, the Maxx diesel six-speed auto (there’s no manual available with the 1.5-litre, common-rail 77kW/270Nm and 4.8L/100km oiler) with front-wheel drive – the closest spec to ‘our’ Peugeot – starts at $26,790.

Contrast that with the five-speed manual-only, (non-common rail) diesel-only 2008 Outdoor’s 1.6-litre, 68kW/230Nm and 4.0L/100km and the Mazda’s lower entry price is further magnified in value terms, even if it is slightly less fuel efficient.

Both, incidentally, employ an idle stop system.

In practicality terms, the CX-3 offers 264 litres of luggage space (1174 litres with second-row seats folded down) and has 800kg braked towing capacity.

The five-star ANCAP-rated Pug 2008 does come out on top here, with 410 litres luggage swelling to 1400 with the second row out of the way. It is also rated to tow 950kg braked, so it wins the interior packaging contest while simultaneously putting more Utility into SUV.

More impressive is that the Pug is dimensionally smaller. Shorter, narrower and with a smaller wheelbase (2537mm versus 2570), it still manages to feel more spacious.
Colleagues have praised the Peugeot’s interior ‘feel’ in previous updates, from the oversized parking brake to the diminutive steering wheel and flowing dash design. It’s certainly individual, and there’s lots of textures to explore (different plastics, chrome, leather, cloth in a couple of different tones) but to my eyes the ambience is no more sophisticated than its leading opposition.

Time to talk key standard features. Stock road wheels are 17-inch alloys for the Peugeot with 205/50-series tyres, where the Mazda rides on 16-inch versions, albeit with 215/60 rubber. The Pug’s distinctive face is further amplified by automatic headlights, LED daytime running lamps, cornering lights and LED tail lights.

Both offer six-speaker audio systems — only the Peugeot’s with speed sensitive volume adjustment — and 7.0-inch colour multi-function control screens, Bluetooth connectivity and USB auxiliary inputs. The Mazda also boasts iPod connectivity, MP3 and a CD slot. Both also feature six airbags and reversing cameras, satellite navigation, remote keyless entry and rear brake-distance control.

Look further along and the Peugeot starts to make small gains, with dual-zone climate control, auto wipers, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror and heated, foldable exterior mirrors. There’s also a cooled glovebox!

All in all, there’s more kit that matters in the Peugeot, though spending an additional $1030 for the optional safety pack on the CX-3 brings blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and smart city brake support (AEB). And if up-to-date safety tech matters more than additional standard equipment of the Peugeot, the Mazda wins the kit-for-cash stakes. If only the safety pack was standard.

In terms of aftersales, Peugeot offers capped-price servicing for its first five scheduled services. In the case of the 2008 Outdoor, the service interval is 12 months / 15,000km, whichever comes first. Pricing ranges from a reasonable $350 for the initial service, to an expensive $840 at 48 months. An industry standard three-year / 100,000km warranty is included with purchase, and complimentary roadside assistance covers that period too.

Mazda on the other hand offers only a 10,000km service interval, and a capped-price system that is kilometre, rather than date, based. With the CX-3 Maxx you have a fixed price ranging from $320 to $398 over 160,000km. Warranty is three years with no kilometre limit, though roadside assist is an optional extra ($68.10 annually).

Armed with the above break-down, the Peugeot’s price-point is closer in value terms than I initially thought, its strong-suits including practicality, efficiency and standard equipment. Throw in a reasonable, though roll-prone, ride and decent low-down engine response (albeit with a lot of noise) and I begin to wonder why they don’t sell more.

Then I look at the breadth of range and ability found in the Mazda CX-3. It matches the French machine for design individuality, offers reasonable equipment, superior performance (and a six-speed auto against a five-speed manual) and lower on-going costs. But the real kicker is that initial purchase price.

The Peugeot is a solid all-rounder, but it needs to duck under $30,000 to become a serious purchase proposition.

2015 Peugeot 2008 Outdoor 1.6 e-HDi pricing and specifications:
Price: $32,990 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 68kW/230Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 4.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 103g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP