I was specifically referring to an SUV that isn't an SUV but a jacked up estate. So whilst you get the slightly improved right height, the advantage in my opinion is debatable these days with everyone driving taller vehicles. That leaves the compromised ride compared to the equivalent estate, without the benefits of why that category was invented in the first place; i.e. make place for the transmission/drive train without intruding into the cabin space and ability to get anywhere.
To me it seems people have forgotten the benefit and the reason of these vehicles and are purely going for the looks, thus get the compromise thrown in without the benefit.
But I do appreciate that that maybe the driving factor. It doesn't keep me awake or anything, I just wonder why sometimes. I find it quite funny actually seeing behaviour in the snow, and like yesterday there was a deep puddle and some mud and a long queue to drive around it.
I think the buzzword here is the use (wrongly) of SUV by the manufacturers on a lot of these vehicles when crossover is more apt.
My personal reason for going for the 3008 is a mixture of looks, drive, spec and space. With 2 young daughters rear and boot space is a must. I've never been a fan of estates (despite owning a Saab 95 aero estate) and my other cars are more for "spirited" driving than school runs and shopping trips. 4wd doesn't bother me. In all the time I had my Discovery (bought just after the bad winter we had about 6-7 years ago) I only ever needed the 4wd system to help me out twice in deep snow. I have added the grip control as an option on my 3008 for a little extra help if needed but as I have no reason to go off roading I'm sure it will suffice.
As said, this is my personal reason for getting one and me and the wife are more than happy with it after all the test drives.
I get the fact they're not for you and I respect that. I've no idea what you drive (and have no real need or desire to know) but I'm pretty sure that too will have its compromises (and benefits too)
So, back on topic, to the OP, I loved it and ordered one ;-)
At least the 3008 isn't compromised by tyre judder and tyre skipping when leaving car parks, roads and general day to day driving.
Is this going down the badge snobbery route again, I've just picked up a new 208 gti with the revised dash (more like the 3008 dash now) and loving the whole thing and the dials and dash wrapping around you, ignore the haters, it's really like why some people like marmite, and other don't.
Ok it may not have the badge, or the kudos of certain premium brands, but your driving a car that you personally like and are willing to buy.
In what way can a car be compromised by a high set driving position, the engines are designed to keep up with day to day driving, 0-60 in 11seconds isn't shabby, it's average, nothing wrong with that, mpg is good for such a large body, and insurance is good as well, servicing every 20k or 1 year for only £12.99 a month?
Have fun picking it up!
And this is why I posted it. Imo, it looks better inside and out than some of the premium brands, and drives well according to reviews.
The premium brands also have 'weedy' engines. If you go for the 4wd, automatic 6 cylinders your looking at 40 grand. Whereas you can get an automatic 3008, highly specced, for mid 20k.
This car will sell well, no doubt.
It didn't win Car of the Year for nothing data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I've no doubt it will sell.
I'm just annoyed I never put an order in earlier as there's a 3 month build time for mine data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Long wait. But hope you enjoy it when you pick it up. The new tomtom hd sat nav is great.
Cheers mate.
Yes, long wait but worth it.
I had a wee play with the sat nav etc when test driving. Seem good. I'm really looking forward to configuring the icockpit... It looked very impressive.
Enjoy your gti its getting into the decent weather for it
Wife has had two 3008 so far and likes the look of the new one so likely it will be top of her list when we come to change in a couple of years
Have to admit I have been pleasantly surprised by it, comfortable ride and very spacious. Been utterly reliable too, over both of them we've only ever replaced the normal wear and tear things like tyre and wipers etc
I wouldn't be too confident of all that tech.
I have a 208 GTi and the screen occasionally goes into "keep on rebooting" mode, and on Saturday, the whole thing froze completely, no response from the screen or any of the buttons, even the volume control.
Then it got even better, I pulled over and switched the engine off, but the radio kept on playing! Fortunately, it sorted itself out after a few minutes, but it's pretty crap overall.
Other things that grate are the cheap components like the brake discs which are in a shocking state for an 18 month old car with 7k miles on.
FWIW, I quite like the small steering wheel and dash above it. I have no problems seeing the instruments.
I should say I only got this because the lease deal was very good, and all I really wanted was a small hot hatch.
The new march 2017 gti models have the new radio units fitted (due to issues you mentioned) which are the same units used across the 3008, ds4 and many more.