Here’s what Pieter Crous, our towing expert, has to say:

This is a really lovely bakkie, inside and out. However, you have to wonder why Peugeot decided on such a small engine. South Africans are used to stronger ones. From the outside, it has a sporty look… but then the engine. Let’s get started.

The engine is quite eager and doesn’t struggle when there’s a load hitched. I can’t complain about its acceleration and the gearbox itself is just as responsive. The moment you step on the pedal, it shifts. But up Vissershok, just outside Durbanville, you start to notice the engine’s limitations. Despite putting foot, I could only get it to 80 km/h.

I have to say that the Landtrek is solid going through bends at speed and there is almost no body roll. It does feel as though it should be able to turn sharper, especially when you compare it to other 4x4 bakkies. The 4x4 model’s turning circle is 14 m and the 4x2’s is 13,5 m.

I wondered how it would fare off the tar road, because you don’t necessarily associate Peugeot with dirt roads. But there were zero rattles on the gravel, despite having more than 18 000 km on the clock. And it doesn’t slide around either. But when you pull away, the wheels spin easily on a dirt road. That’s probably to be expected, but even with an automatic gearbox, the tyres squeals on the blacktop when you accelerate quickly. The Landtrek has no problems towing on a dirt road.

One or two things do bother me: the digital display screens aren’t clear in direct sunlight. And cups fit too loosely in the cupholders between the seats, causing them to spill easily and make a mess.

When looking at the fuel consumption, you can see the engine had to work hard: 14,3 ℓ/100 km (7 km/ℓ).

The bakkie is competitively priced, it looks good, drives and tows well, but I still wish it had a larger capacity engine.

I do consider it the most beautiful bakkie in the country. I could easily see myself owning one.