The pair of SUVs share much of the innards but with different sized bodies. The 5008 fits seven (more comfortably than you’d expect) while the 3008 is a standard five-seater.

Each offers the kind of high-end comfort distinctive to European makes.

Assembled by Stellantis at its Kedah assembly plant, they have been fitted with 1.6L, four-cylinder twin scroll turbo high pressure engines, which put out 165 horsepower (or 123 kiloWatts) and 240 newton-metres of torque, driving power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

For cars as large as these, which certainly look beefier than they feel, the engine does admirably. In the default driving modes, there’s noticeable throttle lag, but this is cured once you put the car into sport mode, which would absolutely be this reviewer’s preferred setting.

Carzilla tested both cars by driving to Genting Highlands on a grey midweek morning, and both managed the steep inclines and tight bends as well as you would expect from relatively large SUVs.

There was a bit of understeer on the tighter corners, particularly in the bigger 5008, but both were comfortably powerful enough to never feel like they were struggling.

Fuel economy is very solid in both, a full day’s driving only eating up about a quarter-tank of fuel. Peugeot says both cars do 7L/100km, very believable figures in an industry that tends to post highly optimistic efficiency figures.

Peugeot has done an excellent job crafting the interior. The i-cockpit design language makes everything at the front feel very driver-centric, without compromising the comfort of the front passenger.

The buttons and multimedia display all gently tilt towards the driver, a subtle decision but one that makes you feel as if all the controls are wrapped around you, a bit like the immersion one gets from a curved computer monitor.

The touchscreen multimedia display is elegant to use and look at. The touch controls are responsive and it’s a breeze to pair it with other devices, both models supporting Android Auto and Apple Carplay. There is also a wireless charging pad tucked into the centre console as standard, lined with a grippy textured rubber to make sure your device isn’t sliding around.

Safety is also a priority and both cars are packed with features to achieve a 5-star Euro NCAP. The lane departure feature keeps the car within the lane if the road markings are distinctly visible and each wing mirror has a small light that alerts the driver to other vehicles in their blind spots.

As a large car, passenger comfort is key. Both cars offer roomy and plush cabins, with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. In the 5008, there are an additional two rear seats that can be folded up from the boot, and while legroom will be a bit cramped for taller riders the seats are still usable.

In terms of design, both are tall, square and wide, with aggressively sculpted lights on both ends. Even these have been cleverly designed. The rear lights have a distinctive 3D effect and scrolling indicators, and the front lights pivot slightly when you turn the steering wheel to illuminate around corners, a subtle touch but one that makes you wonder why more cars don’t do the same.

Overall, both the 3008 and 5008 are excellent mid-tier SUVs that offer wow-factor and practicality in equal measure. The 3008 starts at RM161,616.66, with the 5008 coming in at RM177,311.90 and both are now available via newly appointed sole distributor Bermaz Auto Alliance.