When Toyota introduced the RAV4, or ‘Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel drive', based on its Corolla platform in 1994, even the Japanese giant wouldn't have imagined the extent of the revolution it would spark. The very next year, rival Honda came out with the CR-V, based on the Civic platform, and the rest, as they say, is history. The two models went on to be a massive hit with those looking for a vehicle that would have most of the features of an SUV, along with the drivability and fuel efficiency of a car. The crossover, as this segment came to be known, became a must-have in any respectable carmaker's vehicle line-up, with even Germans and Americans jumping on the bandwagon.
Although UAE customers are spoilt for choice when it comes to crossovers, the RAV4 and the CR-V have always been way ahead of the others in popularity, mainly because of their affordability and low maintenance costs. The only rivals that have proved a realistic threat to these two are Korean siblings Hyundai and Kia, who have come out with some brilliant crossovers like the Sportage, the Sorento, the Santa Fe and wheels Crossover of the Year 2010, the Tucson.
But now, some seriously credible competition is coming from unlikely quarters — France.
The Renault Koleos has been around for some time now, without having made any considerable ripples in the market.
However, with Peugeot introducing its new 3008 crossover here, and that too at a competitive price tag, we thought it would be interesting to pit these two against each other and see how they stack up against one another as well as against their Japanese and Korean rivals.
Imran's Renault Koleos
SUVs are a popular choice here in the UAE, offering families a motoring solution that is spacious and versatile with the added bonus of being able to head off the beaten track.
However, not many SUVs get used in true off-road conditions, which makes a crossover like the Renault Koleos a more pragmatic choice than those gung-ho 4x4s. It does offer all-wheel drive but lacks the low range transfer case of true all-terrainers.
The 1,655kg Koleos also looks more city slicker than dune basher. Given its soft roader status, that comes as no surprise and in fact the French machine displays a touch of visual class that's not often encountered in this segment. It has an unusual yet striking shape, short overhangs at the front and rear, and is quite different from the boxy approach that most crossovers take.
It shares some of its underpinnings with the Nissan X-Trail which is a good thing as it brings proven capability to the Koleos package. With its 206mm ride height, it's enough to clear mild obstacles but still allows for a road car like experience.
It has a hill descent feature and a locking transmission to help it on its way when you venture off-road.
The interior looks inviting and feels robust and well assembled too. Although the cabin gets a decent dose of leather with aluminium detailing, the Koleos pales in comparison with the classy interior of the 3008. The dual sunroof does a fine job in brightening up the cabin and gives you a sense of having even more space in what's quite a roomy cockpit. Access to the generous cargo area is via a two piece tailgate with a lower section that becomes a useful loading platform when folded down. But it also gets in the way when you're reaching in to get at stuff.
There's a retractable tonneau cover while the back seat folds flat completely to create a capacious load area whilethe spare wheel finds a home under the cargo floor.
The engine is a 2.5-litre four-pot with a CVT and has 170bhp at 6,000rpm and 226Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. This all means it accelerates rapidly and cruises comfortably. It feels brisk and responsive in urban conditions, however, it revs up to around 5,000rpm and feels like it's going to explode. It sounds a little worrying but that's just the nature of the gearbox. Or should I say, belt and pulley.
Its raised stance ensures a commanding view of the surroundings which improves your awareness and contributes to an overall sense of well-being while driving this vehicle.
The ride is comfortable without being too soggy and while the steering lacks feel, it boasts an impressive turning circle making tight manoeuvres a doddle.
There's also less body roll than expected when pressing on and it grips well too.
Overall, the Koleos has found a happy medium between comfort, handling and almost all terrain capabilities and all fora price that won't break the bank.
Sony's Peugeot 3008
Peugeot had a crossover in its line-up before the 3008 — the 4007 introduced in 2007. But it never made it here as it was essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander. So, technically, the 3008 is Peugeot's first crossover. And like the RCZ we drove last week, it packs quitea bit of surprise within its bulbous and rather funky exterior. To me it looks more like a 308 hatchback put on a high carb, high fat diet.
The real surprise is when you climb inside and settle down in the comfortable seats. The fit and finish of the interior is on a different level compared to its Japanese or Korean rivals, and almost on par with the Germans. The seating position is high enough to give you a commanding view of the road ahead. Talking of the view, Peugeot has taken all-round vision to a whole new plane with the 1.6 square metre panoramic roof — a nearly seamless glass ceiling right from the front windscreen to the tailgate window.
The 156bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine has Germanic smoothness to it — actually it is co-developed with BMW — and provides rapid acceleration with negligible lag. Peugeot's six-speed tip-tronic transmission also sets it apart from competition with plenty of heave in all the six gears.
There's enough space in the dual storage boot which extends to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded flat. The 3008 also gets a generous smattering of normally premium features like a head-up display, Hill Assist, parking assistance, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers, i-pod and USB connectivity, dual climate control AC and so on.
Unlike the one in BMWs, the head-up display info is not projected directly onto the windscreen, but onto a small translucent panel that pops up behind the instrument cowl. The most amazing thing about the Peugeot 3008 though, is the fact that all these features are packed into a great crossover that will cost you just Dh89,900. Yes, you read it right. Peugeot seems to have got everything right in this new addition to its line-up. Although the AWD version with Grip Control package is available in Europe, we'll have to make do with the front-wheel drive version for some time.
Verdict
So, there we have it. Two French crossovers, both pretty decent and certainly affordable. But, between the
two, which one would we recommend? Well, The Koleos has all-wheel drive and a peppy 2.5-litre engine which gives you the confidence to go and play on the dunes. But, it's hampered with an ear-destroying CVT that seems content to rev off the charts. What it lacks in torque, it makes up in horses, whereas the front-wheel drive 3008 has fewer ponies yet more torque but most important of all, a far better interior. And let's be honest, you're not going to venture off road with either of these every weekend. So, for a daily commute from home to work, to collect the kids from school and pick up some groceries, which is what both of these are really intended for, the Peugeot just about gets our vote.
Specs
Model Koleos
Engine 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission CVT, AWD
Max power 170bhp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque 226Nm @ 4,400rpm
Top speed NA
0-100kph NA
Price Dh87,000
Plus Neat looking, decent off- road capabilities
Minus Lacks street cred
Model 3008 Engine 1.6-litre four-cylinder
Transmission Six-speed auto, FWD
Max power 156bhp @ 5,800rpmMax torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Top speed NA
0-100kph NA
Price Dh89,900
Plus Great engine, feature- packed, price
Minus No AWD
