Peugeot 2008 takes the Car of the Year 2021

If you do not know yet, the Peugeot 2008 walked off with the coveted 2021 Car of the Year (Coty) title.

The SA Guild of Motoring Journalists organises and administrates this competition. This year it employed a completely new methodology and new technologies, and also involved the public. "It's exciting to see the category winners are a lot more relevant to the car-buying public, with more realistic winners in each category," the guild said.

Typically French, the 2008 Peugeot SUV is a "sculptural and desirable object".

"It sits well on its wheels," said Peugeot. I agree - it is both bold and in-your-face, but the sculpted body lines are sensual and easy on the eye, giving one a sense of confidence and sure-footedness. Seventeen-inch wheels bring with it good ground clearance and enhance the ready-to-rock energy of the 2008. The dual exhaust pipes on the PureTech produces 96kW and hits towards vibrant performance. Now, I have not driven this car, so I cannot confirm this impression, but I have no doubt that the judges on the

Coty panels found performance to be more than adequate and fitting the 2008's profile.

The dual colour schemes are a winner as they compliment and accentuate the 2008's design.

The interior is described as being intuitive with versatility and controlled comfort.

It is spacious and modular, courtesy of a two-position floor, depending on which derivative you buy.

And then there is the new Peugeot i-Cockpit 3D. It offers "flawless ergonomics for awakening the senses; a compact steering wheel, for better handling and better grip, a large HD touch screen at your fingertips and now, an innovative 3D headsup receiver."

This, once again depending on the derivative, places information in the driver's line of sight.

The 2008's feature list offers more than most in this class. There are, among others, driver assist, lane departure avoidance, automatic braking, active warning of involuntary lane crossing, blind spot monitoring and more.

Four USB sockets illustrate the 2008's techno-friendly approach to enhance the passenger and owner experience while on the road.

Safety features include Grip Control, HADC, and more.

The engines are threecylinder 1.2-litre and develop between 76kW (MT6) and 96kW (AT6). Now, what is that French word for irresistible? Irrésistible!