IT’S strange how some of the oldest car companies in the world are relying on younger Asian manufacturers to provide them with their compact SUVs.

Renault was first with the Koleos, and now arch-enemy Peugeot is at it, too, with the Mitsubishi ASX-based 4008.

While it wears a unique nose and tail, and boasts a different chassis tune to the Japanese product, the question is raised as to whether the French brand’s first offering in this wildly popular segment is up to buyers’ expectations. We drive the range-topping Allure AWD to find out.