Peugeot 5008 SUV (2017 - ) Review

Peugeot are on a roll at the moment, not only with sales but with new car launches and motorsport vixtories after taking another Dakar win in 2017, this time with the 3008 DKR. The standard 3008 model has sold over 15,000 units already this year, Peugeot unveiled the world’s smallest car dealership...in a phone box...and yet now they’re launching their third SUV in the past eighteen months.

Launched as an MPV back in 2009, the 5008 is back and this time Peugeot have labelled it an SUV, so what is it like?

We headed to the Cotswolds to find out.

Since 2015 there’s been a good choice of engines, including the multiple award winning International Engine of the Year. The PureTech three-cylinder petrol which is available as a 1.2 litre (called a 130) comes with automatic and manual transmissions, and delivers 131bhp with 230Nm of torque. We tested it at the launch and found it to be a sprightly engine, working really well at cruising speeds but also economical emitting just 120 g/km with a combined 54.3mpg when with the automatic gearbox, so it will cost £160 for the first year in Vehicle Excise Duty.

There is also a 1.6 THP ‘165' petrol engine, while diesel variants come in the form of a 1.6 BlueHDi ‘100' and ‘120', a 1.5 BlueHDi ‘130' arrives in December and then there is a 2.0 BlueHDi ‘150' and ‘180' - the latter available just as an automatic.

Now would it surprise you if we said that despite its size it’s a really engaging drive?

Steering isn’t too heavy nor too light and reacts well to just the slightest of inputs, while the ride is comfortable and shares the same Efficient Modular Platform 2 as the 3008 SUV and 308 so it’s more than capable at remaining composed on the twisty stuff, but don’t expect to be able to go off-roading in this, Peugeot may be calling it an SUV but really it’s not.

It does have a sport button, surprisingly, and there were moments where you could forget you were actually driving a 4.64 metres long seven seater...

The Peugeot 5008 is much like the 3008, it has quite a rugged, muscular stance, the grille with the lion badge makes it stand out, while at the rear the now familiar ‘claw effect’ lights add a uniqueness. The vast front windscreen and panoramic sunroof also filters in plenty of light into the interior.

There is a nice, subtle colour palette for the 5008; three greys and also striking Emerald and Egyptian Blue colours - the model is quite a statement, yet the colours aren’t.

The seats are really comfortable giving plenty of support on your back, there is also a massage function on the higher spec trim, ideal if you’re doing long distances in the 5008 and they’re available with full leather or a mixture of that and cloth.

The Peugeot 5008 comes with the latest version of their i-Cockpit which encompasses a small steering wheel, an eight inch touchscreen while the driver benefits from a high-resolution digital display, which at 12.3 inches adds a premium feel much like the virtual cockpit from Audi.

If you go for the GT and GT Line spec then owners will be spoilt with the i-Cockpit Amplify which adds a seat massage function, musical ambience settings and a fragrance diffuser.

We really like this feature, the driver’s screen has very clear graphics and animations and can be customised to the driver’s specifications too. The only negative we found was that at times in certain positions we couldn’t see all of the display as the top of the steering wheel got in the way.

Peugeot have also added some really neat looking flick switches to control things like the climate and navigation, it’s these little details which set it out from its rivals.

There are four trim levels: Active, Allure, GT Line and GT and even the entry level is packed with equipment including rear parking sensors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED interior lighting, dual zone climate control and a lane departure warning system.

Like the Skoda Kodiaq the Peugeot 5008 is an entry into the C-segment and it too is a seven-seater. Third row seats can be folded into the floor if you require extra boot space or completely removed, (they’re just 11kg each) while the front passenger seat folds down if you’re transporting long items - ideal for the Ikea shop!

What’s also good is that three child seats can be fitted into the middle row and the seats can also be moved back and forth or reclined. There are also tray tables and window blinds which come as standard on the Allure trim.

In terms of space the boot can hold 1,060 litres without rear seats, fold flat the middle row and it increases to a huge 2,150 litres, while there is lots of storage space in the flip open centre armrest and also conveniently hidden in the floor in the middle row footwell. 

The Peugeot 5008 costs from £24,495 for the entry level 1.2 litre PureTech 130 in Allure trim, while the top of the range GT with the 2.0 litre BlueHDi 180 will come in at £35,695. It’s just slightly more expensive than the Skoda Kodiaq which starts at £22,190, but Peugeot have produced a model more than capable of taking on competitors in the C-segment; it’s hugely practical, features the outstanding i-Cockpit and has a really good range of engines too.

All Peugeot models come with a three year, unlimited mileage warranty and their own breakdown assistance service.

The cabin looks and feels really upmarket, nice chrome inserts on the steering wheel and around the automatic gear selector, combined with a piano black gloss surround make it look very smart. If you’re looking for cheap plastics, you simply won’t find any here.

So does Peugeot have a success on its hands? If it matches all the plaudits that the 3008 has managed to acquire then that will be a resounding yes.

Previous versions of the car haven’t had any major issues, quality has improved since the first generation and to boost the brand, the 2008 SUV was the named the best small SUV in the Auto Express Driver Power 2017 Awards when it came to reliability, so the 5008 has a lot to live up to.

The Peugeot 5008 comes with plenty of driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, park assist, blind spot monitoring, advanced grip control, hill assist descent control and speed sign recognition, and it’s also scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP ratings.

It also comes with six airbags, Isofix points in the middle row across all three seats and tyre pressure sensors.