Like its smaller sibling, the 3008, Peugeot’s largest of people moving machines, the 5008, was incredibly bland and boring, until recently that is, when an all-new 5008 SUV model was released.
Featuring what has become signature styling across the vast majority of the French makers range, the latest 5008 is unmistakably Peugeot. Incredibly attractive and practical looking, the 5008 doesn’t just look pretty, having claimed several awards since launch last year, it ticks several boxes.
It is becoming increasingly hard to find a purposeful 7-seat vehicle, one that is genuinely capable of fulfilling the needs of a large family, or the local five-a-side team with substitutes aboard, but this big Peugeot is a fair contender.
Finished here in an incredibly rich looking ‘Egyptian Blue’ paint with contrasting black roof, chrome detailing highlights the lines and shape whilst the lower half of the 5008 and wheel arches are clad in a durable plastic, giving it a rugged feel.
With an electric open/close boot, a £750 option that everyone should tick when ordering, load space within the 5008 is commendable to say the least, offering a class leading volume that only gets better when turned into a van-like layout, even when in 7-seat guise, there is room for a couple of gym bags which is uncommon.
Inside, the 5008 is a carbon copy of its smaller counterpart, no bad thing as the design department really mixed things up with the 3008, incorporating various materials and designs that on paper maybe wouldn’t work together, but for me, they do.
A mix of tweed and leather, clad the seats throughout whilst the gentleman’s favourite also finds its way onto the door trim as well as around the dash on the test car. Plastics used within the Peugeot range are still not of the quality looks and feel of some rivals, but this is reflected within the pricing.
The seating offers great support and comfort, as well as a pleasant driving position, though one thing that may take some getting used to is the smaller than average steering wheel that seems to be fitted to most of the range these days.
The cabin is well laid out and under the central armrest is a massive storage area that doubles up as a cooling box, whilst a few cup and bottle holders are available along with really purposeful cubby areas to stow away the not so important things we tend to carry around.
Built into the central dash is an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment hub, which also displays all of the cars main data and climate control information and not only can everything be selected via the touch screen but there is also very convenient buttons placed below to get into each main area with ease before navigating through the sub-menus.
Behind the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch i-Cockpit which is pretty fantastic and offers everything you used to get in an analogue cluster, only in full colour digital form, as well as having the sat-nav displayed to name the best feature.
A total of five models are available across the 5008 range, starting from £26,259 with the ‘ACTIVE’ which features lane departure warning system, automatic emergency braking system and distance alert system along with automatic dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel, ambient lighting and rear parking sensors, while 17-inch alloy wheels add style, with automatic lights and wipers adding safety.
Next up, an ‘ALLURE’ which start from £28,059 and adds active blind spot detection, active lane keeping assistance and advanced driver attention alert with Peugeot smartbeam assistance. Rear privacy glass adds more style and purpose whilst front and rear parking sensors add convenience alongside power folding door mirrors with blind spot detection indicator and auto dipping function in reverse gear.
Reverse camera displays on the central screen inside and rear passengers get treated to window blinds and trays that drop from the rear of the front seats. This model receives 18-inch alloy wheels and sat-nav.
A ‘GT LINE’ adds self-levelling headlights, full LED headlights − led fog lamps and LED sequential scrolling front indicators. Inside, more mood and ambience features are present with a dark head-cloth and wireless smartphone charging plate, this model starts from £29,959.
For extra convenience, and from £31,809, a ‘GT LINE PREMIUM’ adds key-less entry, electric open/close tailgate and a household 3-pin charging point inside for keeping devices well charged on the move.
The driver’s seat has massaging capability whilst it, and the passenger seat are both heated – an opening panoramic roof keeps things bright inside and to finish off the looks, 19-inch alloy wheels are fitted.
If all of that is still not enough, there is a fully loaded ‘GT’ model, but be prepared to dig deep, this model starts just shy of £40k, at a whopping £38,529 and to be fair, I’d struggle to see the value in that price range personally.
You do however get adaptive cruise control with stop function and a 360° colour camera system and automated parking assistance. As before, 19-inch wheels are fitted and the front seating has more adjust-ability with the drivers being electrically adjusted with memory presets. The audio is upgraded to a FOCAL® premium HIFI speaker system for extra quality and clarity of your favourite hits.
Four engines are available, two petrol and two diesels, depending on trim level, starting with a 1.2L turbocharged petrol which produces 130hp with 170lb/ft and will see zero to 62mph in around 10 seconds with a top speed of 117mph and a combined claimed economy of over 50mpg.
This, the smallest engine available, comes with either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed auto gearbox whilst the 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine is only available with the auto ‘box and produces 180hp and 184lb/ft seeing a top speed of 135mph and a zero to 62mph dash in just over 8 seconds with an economy just shy of 50mpg claimed.
The smallest diesel offering is a super-frugal 1.5L turbocharged unit producing 130hp with 221lb/ft that will see zero to 62mph in around 11 seconds, a top speed of 119mph and depending if you have the 6-speed manual, or 8-speed auto ‘box, an economy claimed at just shy of 70mpg.
Finally, a 2.0L turbocharged diesel producing 180hp with 295lb/ft will see a top speed of 134mph and zero to 62mph in just over 9 seconds with a claimed economy of close to 60mpg, this offering is only available with the 8-speed auto ‘box.
The model tested, an Allure spec, priced with a small number of options at around £29k, is fitted with the baby engine and automatic ‘box and I must admit, when I first read the spec sheet, pre-delivery, I was a little dubious about the engine choice.
I will admit however, that after driving it for just a couple of days, I was amazed at how competent the little power-train is within the rather large 5008 model. Okay, it is never going to win any races, but for a 3-cylinder petrol, it copes perfectly and the 8-speed auto ‘box is absolutely spot on.
When cornering, the 5008 doesn’t feel as big as it physically is, it’s not sporty by any stretch of the imagination, but when running late to an appointment one day, it proved confident and capable. Peugeot offer a 3-year, 60,000 mile warranty and 12-months roadside assistance when buying new.
As an alternative to the likes of VW’s Tiguan Allspace, Hyundai’s Santa-Fe or perhaps the Kia Sorento, I feel the Peugeot 5008 SUV wins the beauty pageant outright and seems on paper to be decent value for money with decent trim levels and enough engine/box options for most owners.
Words & Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
[images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
