Peugeot Landtrek 2023 Review

In the Malaysian pickup truck market, models that balance rugged off-road capabilities with family comfort have always been consumer favorites — after all, they need to handle complex terrains of construction sites and farms, while also meeting daily commuting and weekend family outing needs. The 2023 Peugeot Landtrek 1.9D DCAB 4WD AT is precisely aimed at this niche market. It not only comes with a four-wheel-drive system and diesel power but also elevates safety features and comfort to a level rarely seen in its class. In this test drive, we primarily want to see how well it balances the "utility attributes" and "family attributes" and whether it can truly become the top choice for multi-scenario users.

In terms of appearance, the design of the Landtrek takes a rugged yet refined approach. The overall profile retains the robust feel of a pickup truck, with straight but not monotonous body lines, while the recessed design below the doors enhances its muscularity. The front end’s most striking feature is Peugeot's signature frameless grille, embedded with the brand's shield badge in the center. The LED headlights on both sides are connected to the grille, enhancing the visual width; below, the bumper uses black plastic material, paired with fog lights and a silver skid plate, fitting both the off-road theme and durability. On the sides, 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with 265/60 R18 tires and the black cladding around the wheel arches emphasize the off-road vibe, while the minimum ground clearance of 235mm ensures good passability. The rear design is relatively simple, with vertically arranged LED tail lights and the Peugeot lettering on the tailgate, complemented by a silver skid plate on the rear bumper, offering decent recognition overall.

Sitting inside, the interior feels more premium than traditional pickups. The dashboard is covered with soft-touch materials, accented with silver trim, significantly enhancing its refined feel. A 10-inch capacitive touch screen sits atop the center console, featuring a clear interface and smooth operation that supports Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity; below it, some physical buttons are retained for convenient blind operation during driving. The instrument panel consists of a 4.2-inch color display, showing information such as RPM, fuel consumption, and four-wheel-drive status, complemented by a HUD that displays digital information upfront, reducing the need to frequently glance down at the panel while driving. In terms of features, the front seats offer 6-way electric adjustment and 2-way lumbar support. The cushions are thick, ensuring comfort even during long drives. The rear seats are split 60:40, offering spacious legroom for a pickup — passengers who are 175cm tall will find a two-fist gap from their knees to the front seats. Additionally, the rear comes equipped with air-conditioning vents and USB ports, adding practicality. Moreover, features such as keyless entry, a 220V power outlet, and rain-sensing wipers are not left out, showing attention to detail.

In terms of performance, the 1.9T diesel engine boasts 152PS horsepower and 350N·m of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The throttle response during initial acceleration is not particularly aggressive, but the diesel engine excels in low-end torque, delivering maximum torque at 1800rpm, making it feel effortless when carrying heavy loads or climbing slopes. Switching to sport mode adjusts the transmission's shifting logic for more proactive acceleration, providing a stronger pushback sensation and boosting confidence when overtaking. The four-wheel-drive system offers 2H, 4H, and 4L modes, which can be toggled via a knob. When tackling muddy or gravel roads, the grip performance in 4H mode is stable, while the 235mm ground clearance allows it to easily traverse most uneven terrains. The chassis consists of an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a rear leaf spring. Although the rear suspension utilizes the common leaf spring structure for pickups, it has been tuned for relative comfort. When driving over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the impact is not overly harsh; however, during fast cornering, body roll is more pronounced compared to SUVs, which aligns with its pickup positioning.

In terms of fuel consumption, we tested it under mixed road conditions (urban + highway + some off-road), and the fuel consumption was approximately 8.5L per 100 kilometers. For a 2.095-ton four-wheel-drive pickup truck, this performance is considered average. With an 80L fuel tank capacity, it can run about 900 kilometers when fully fueled, showing decent range performance. The noise control is also worth mentioning. At high speeds, both wind noise and tire noise are well suppressed, and the noise from the diesel engine is almost inaudible inside the cabin. The cabin's sealing is well done. Additionally, the braking system performs steadily, with braking distances meeting expectations, giving a sense of security during daily driving.

Safety features are a major highlight of the Landtrek. It comes equipped with 6 airbags (including front and rear side airbags and curtain airbags), ESP stability control, lane departure warning, and active braking. The 360-degree panoramic camera also helps beginners park easily. Among pickups in the same class, such safety features are quite comprehensive.

In summary, the advantages of the 2023 Peugeot Landtrek 1.9D DCAB 4WD AT are clear: it offers the rugged performance of a pickup along with comfort features akin to an SUV, with safety configurations leading its class. Compared to similar models like the Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger, the Landtrek boasts a higher level of interior refinement and feature settings while being more cost-effective, making it stand out in terms of value for money.

If you need a vehicle that can handle both heavy-duty hauling and family outings, the Landtrek is a great choice—it lacks the roughness of traditional pickups, offering configurations and comfort capable of meeting daily family use while its four-wheel-drive performance and load capacity can also handle work needs. Whether you're a construction boss, farm owner, or a family that enjoys weekend off-road adventures, this vehicle is adaptable. Overall, the Landtrek breaks the stereotype of pickups as "work trucks," finding an excellent balance between practicality and comfort. It's a standout model in its class that's well worth considering.