Peugeot 5008 2024 (2020 - )

Even though this market area is niche, there’s plenty of choice if you're looking for a seven-seater SUV.

Peugeot’s offering is the 5008 and all-electric e-5008 – and when you consider you could almost buy two entry-level 5008s for the cost of one Audi Q7, it might make you think Peugeot’s got something to hide with such a low price tag.

But one glance at the 5008’s exterior, let alone interior, might make you reconsider – not to mention when you see the equipment list.

It is available in two trims: entry-level Allure, with 19-inch alloys, and a 21-inch unit comprising an infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument display. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, TomTom SatNav, and DAB radio all come as standard.

You also get a wireless phone charger, voice control, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting, aluminium pedals, power-folding door mirrors, keyless entry, and embossed fabric seats with leather effect.

The upper GT model acquires Alcantara upholstery, pixel LED headlights, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a powered tailgate, enhanced ambient lighting, a black roof and spoiler, rear window blinds, and, on the e-5008, 20-inch alloys.

There are three sources of power for the 5008, a 1.2-litre petrol 136PS full hybrid (HEV), a 1.6-litre petrol 195PS plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and the all-electric (BEV) e-5008 model, which produces 210PS.

Two more versions of the e-5008 will follow soon, both of which have more clout - a 230PS long-range version with a larger battery and a 310PS variant with dual motors, all-wheel drive, and the same battery as the current 210PS version.

The exterior looks lovely, with the front grille’s graduated pattern looking almost hypnotic. Claw-like day-running lights and thinned-out headlights complement it.

It is pretty angular, too, with chiselled cheekbones and sculpted bodywork at the sides, which amplifies the cladding on the side skirts.

The pug is more minimalistic at the back, with a large strip connecting the headlights.

Until the last couple of years, we didn’t know a Peugeot could look so bold.

But if you think the exterior is striking, wait until you see inside!

The dashboard upholstery bulges outwards, wrapping around the interior. At the same time, the driver is separated from the front seat passenger with a centre console that rises much higher than in most cars.

The dashboard looks like the sort of panel you’d expect to find at NASA mission control. The imposing 21-inch unit houses the infotainment touchscreen and digital instruments perched on top.

The 5008’s steering wheel is small and looks like a rounded hexagon, designed so you view the instruments over the top of it rather than through it.

The wheel’s size is deliberate, as it’s designed to sit in your lap rather than require you to stretch out your arms to reach it. This takes some getting used to and may be a deal-breaker for some, so it’s worth testing before you commit.

Glossy piano black décor features in places, too, offering shortcut buttons for the infotainment system. The entire cabin is bathed in the modest glow of the ambient lighting, even more so on the GT version, which gets more colours.

The digital instrument display is very nicely presented in terms of its graphics, which are pin sharp – and the same can be said of the infotainment screen next to it.

However, the infotainment system is frustratingly complicated to use, the menu layout can be confusing, and it needs to be more responsive.

Still, the cabin looks incredible, far exceeding our expectations and what Peugeot would have been capable of only a few short years ago. It is resplendently imposing.

We have got our hands on two test cars – the 5008 full hybrid (HEV) in Allure trim and the electric e-5008 (BEV) in GT guise.

The e-5008 goes from 0 to 62mph in 9.7 seconds, which isn't incredibly pacey but satisfactory in a car this big - and, as we said, more powerful versions are coming soon. 

It feels quicker than the black and white figures suggest, with a burst of acceleration from the electric motor as soon as you hit the throttle pedal. Once you’re up and running, though, the rate of acceleration seems to fade off, and it makes steadier progress towards national speed limits.

You may not consider that the 5008 HEV, with its weedy 1.2-litre engine and only 136PS on tap, could be a match for it, but you'd be wrong. It is not much slower to get to 62mph from a standing start - 11.3 seconds - and it, too, feels faster than it is.

Furthermore, the engine rarely feels troubled, although we imagine you’ll feel the pinch from its limitations with seven adults aboard. But, considering how small this mill is, it has no right to be able to cope with a car this big, yet it does.

Yes, it can feel a little lacking at times, but if you’re mainly going to be transporting the kids to school or driving at rush hour, you’ve little need for anything more powerful.

The 5008 is not amazing in terms of handling, but it is par for the course in a large SUV. As you'd expect, there's plenty of body lean, and the steering remains light - even around faster bends.

Certainly, this is a car designed for ride comfort, protecting you from the harshest potholes and gently soothing those with bad backs.

If you do suffer from a dodgy back, this is a mark against the e-5008, which, while by no means uncomfortable, rides noticeably harder compared with the 5008 HEV, especially as our e-5008 test car is the GT model, which gets bigger wheels.

The e-5008's regenerative braking can be quite abrupt, too, especially in its highest of three settings. One-pedal driving isn't quite doable, and you'll still have to tap the brakes to come to a complete stop.

Disappointingly, given the generous equipment levels, the seats can only be adjusted manually - and only the GT can upgrade to an electrically adjustable driver’s seat. Nevertheless, the seats are very comfortable, and there's a great view ahead, thanks to reasonably thin front windscreen pillars and a high driving position.

Given the vehicle's size, rearward visibility is better than you might think, due to a big rear windscreen, although the thicker pillars do obstruct your over-the-shoulder view.

Happily, both Allure and GT offer rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, while GT also gets sensors at the front.

A 360-degree surround-view camera is available, but it's an optional extra. Unlike the electric driver's seat adjustment, it's offered on both trim levels.

Unsurprisingly, there's no issue with legroom and headroom in the front. The middle row is almost as spacious, with three full-size chairs. Even the back row of seats can slide, although, unlike the front two tiers, these can't be reclined.

If you’re going to be carrying adults a lot, one thing that’s worth testing before buying is the panoramic sunroof – another optional extra – but one that cuts into the available headroom quite a lot.

Boot space is plentiful, measuring 348 litres even with all the seats up, while folding the third row down swells this to a hefty 916 litres.

By folding the middle row down, you can access a whopping 2,232 litres. Although it slides in a 60:40 split, the seats fold down individually in a 40:20:40 split.

There is some underfloor storage, too, but there’s no additional stowage under the bonnet, not even in the e-5008, given it’s often a feature of some electric cars.

Apart from the glovebox, which is on the small side, there are plenty of places to store things in the cabin, including two cubbies between the front seats and large door bins.

The full hybrid Peugeot 5008 that we tested returns 44-52mpg, emitting 122-143g/km of CO2.

That compares with the 212-256mpg and 18-30g/km of CO2 in the plug-in hybrid version.

Obviously, there are no such figures in the all-electric e-5008, which has a 73kWh battery pack and an official range of 311 miles, but you won’t achieve that in practice.

It can charge at a maximum speed of 160kW, meaning a 20-80% top-up takes 30 minutes. Up to 11kW is supported using a home wall box, and it takes seven hours to achieve a 0-100% juice-up. Mind you, most home chargers are around the 7kW mark, and at that speed, it'll take ten and a half hours.

Peugeot doesn't enjoy a fantastic reputation for reliability, but it's not at the bottom of the pile by any means. A basic three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is offered, although the mileage limit only applies to the third year.

All things considered, Peugeot’s largest SUV is mightily impressive.

The new 5008 has great exterior looks, a grandiose interior, excellent practicality, decent performance, and a comfortable ride, added to a princely equipment list.

We are tempted by the e-5008, but it's significantly more expensive than the 5008 HEV at entry level. Given that the 5008 HEV is very economical, the full hybrid makes an arguably stronger case for itself, especially as it's more comfortable than the e-5008.

In that respect, the plug-in hybrid offers a reasonable middle ground between the two.

The base trim, Allure, has plenty to offer – you don’t need the GT trim, although it does come with some extra luxuries, such as heated front seats.

If you can get to grips with a frustrating infotainment system, you’re on to a winner.

The new Peugeot 5008 and e-5008 might not be enough to defeat the badge snobbery of those who are adamant about wanting a premium brand car. But, taken in isolation, there’s nothing else this good at this price.