By Guilherme Marques
Another week, another crossover. Wait, that is not right. Last week I drove a hatchback and the week before a luxury limo; but there are so many crossovers on the market right now – and on the road – that it is getting on my nerves.
I am not a crossover fan, I have said it before and I will say it again. I am not a crossover fan. You take a perfectly nice supermini or family hatchback and turn it into a high riding, heavier, worse-to-drive mix of something trying to pass for something else.
So let’s get a few things straight: a crossover is never better than the car it is based on; a crossover is never better to drive than the car it is based on; a crossover is never cheaper than the car it is based on. There, I can relax now.
Except I can’t, because I also know that: a crossover is always bigger than the car it is based on; a crossover always has more space than the car it is based on; a crossover is usually more comfortable than the car it is based on; a crossover has a more prestigious image than the car it is based on; a crossover is not that more expensive than the car it is based on. Besides, women love crossovers and we know who gets the last word when it comes to picking the family car, don’t we?
On the road, the 2008 is everything I expected. It’s comfortable and it rides rather well, but there is some body roll and the engine is not as feisty as in the 208 due to the increased weight (still, you don’t buy this car to tackle a rally stage). Where I think it excels is in the practical stuff. Because it is bigger than the 208, you can get in and out more easily and that extra space is undeniably useful. Around town it is agile and easy to manoeuvre. Small parking spaces are not a problem and visibility is great. Our car was a 1.6 e-HDI diesel with 115 horse power, a six speed manual gearbox and some goodies like automatic wipers and lights, a 7’’ touch screen, dual zone AC, cruise control and a very nice panoramic glass roof. Basic price is €22,011 but you need around €1,000 for some important extras. Value for money is very good.
So, 208 or 2008? Well, there is no correct answer for this. I think you have to choose the car that better suits your needs and the one that has more to do with the type of driver – and owner – you are.
To me the pleasure of driving is very important so I would sacrifice the extra space for the better dynamics of the smaller car. But I guess that is a fading priority these days, and I would not blame anyone for choosing the crossover – it is a car made to suit today’s market desires and that’s exactly what it does.
