Separated At Birth

Built on identical platforms and utilising the same drivetrains, the 3008 and Grandland X are like fraternal twins raised by different parents. Which parent did a better job?

- Jeremy Chua

THE documentary Twinsters is based on the true story of a French woman who discovers that she has a twin sister. The film chronicles their eventual reunion, and their discovery that they have so much in common, despite having different parents and growing up in different countries and cultures.

It’s the same story with the Peugeot 3008 and Opel Grandland X.

At first, it would seem that the 3008 and Grandland X are actually “cousins”, since Peugeot and Opel are sister companies.

However, when you learn that both models share so much DNA but don’t look alike, it actually makes them seem more like fraternal twins.

At first glance, the external resemblance between these two SUVs isn’t obvious, as their front and rear ends are strikingly different. The 3008 is the glamorous one here, with a larger chrome grille and more bling (chrome trim) on its fog lamps and rear bumper.

The Grandland X, on the other hand, is relatively understated because it has fewer shiny bits. But it does seem more muscular, thanks to the sharp creases on its bonnet and more prominent shoulder lines.

Despite their differences in styling, a closer look at both cars reveals that both of them share the same components. Their doors and windows, for instance, are obviously similar. They even use the same little wiper for the rear windscreen.

The 3008 and Grandland X are almost identical in size, too, with the former being slightly taller (by just 15mm) than the latter. The Opel is a hair longer (by 30mm) and wider (by 15mm) than the Peugeot, but both vehicles have the same wheelbase length of 2675mm.

Both SUVs’ interiors mirror their exterior designs. Settle in behind the wheel of the 3008 and you’ll be wowed by its cockpit, which is not only pretty, but looks so advanced that you could imagine seeing the same controls in a French fighter plane.