Since I dont drive a lot, the timing belt issue was, in fact, a deal breaker for me. The issue props up more in cars that are driven less than more. Although Peugeot has covered this particular part in cars out of warranty in Europe, cant say what lucky motors would do here. Had a I read it before making a purchase decision, I would likely have not bought it.
Having said that, there have been multiple revisions of the timing belt, but the fact that Peugeot switched to chain from belt for the hybrid version speaks volumes about Peugeots' own faith in its oil bathed belt. Maybe I am paying too much attention to this, but it is an issue that is pretty well documented.
Would I buy it? I got one, sold it off. Not because it wasn't fun to drive, it surely was. But I didn't want to be paying lucky $$$ for an issue that is likely to prop up sooner rather than later given my driving style.
As for alternates; depends what exactly attracts you to the Peugeot. If its power than I dont think you can get better in 7.5 million.
Features, although it does come with some ADAS, two of them are pretty useless (the sign detection and lane keep assist; the latter because half the roads have no markings!). Blind spot monitor is decent, but it isnt really that large a vehicle that it cant be done without.
If you like the i-cockpit, just get it. I havent seen a dash this good in a non german car or a car that costs much more or one of the Chinese vehilces (which i won't buy as long as I am sane).
As I have said before the Head Unit isn't the most responsive. I do not compare to the Chinese as they are, for most parts, buggy (Chery) or slow (MG). It has a lot of functionalities and a lot of driver assistance features are controlled by it, but you can feel the time between a touch and response. Maybe this is my perception, but I won't call it zippy.
As for longevity/ reliability, Peugeot comes in the middle of the pack, outshone by the likes of Kia, Honda and Toyota. And Lucky did have an issue where they ran out of oil filters!
The best part is that they offer a test drive. Take one. If you like it buy it. Just drive it a lot to ensure that if the timing belt issue crops up, it crops up later than sooner. (Again I maybe blowing the belt issue, but it definitely does exist). If I were to buy it again, i would do it for the i-cockpit and the insane torque it generates from the puny little engine.
Hope this helps
PS: This is about the allure, not the active variant.