Peugeot 5008 review - a capable and frugal 7-seater
“The distinctively-styled Peugeot 5008 SUV offers seven seats in a striking interior and is a very comfortable drive”
Pros
- Comfortable and easy to drive
- Fantastic interior design
- Seven seat capability
Cons
- Rear seats tight
- Steering feels slightly strange
- Headroom limited with sunroof
Verdict - Is the Peugeot 5008 a good car?
If you’re after a big, practical family SUV that doesn’t cost the earth to buy or run, the Peugeot 5008 is a solid contender. It’s spacious and well-equipped, and despite its relatively small engines, feels sprightly enough on the road. It’s held back due to a lack of true low-emission (no PHEV or EV) options, but for private buyers not ready to make the switch, it still holds plenty of appeal.
Peugeot 5008 models, specs and alternatives
When it was time to design this latest version of the Peugeot 5008, consumer tastes had moved on from the dull old people carriers that were once the staple diet of growing families.
With buyer demand for stylish family cars gathering pace, the latest 5008 abandoned the dowdy MPV styling of its predecessor, morphing into a more contemporary modern-looking SUV. The same approach was taken with the smaller Peugeot 3008, and both vehicles have been highly successful.
The Peugeot 5008 fights for attention with a range of other highly successful SUVs, including the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail. As a seven-seater, the 5008 can also be seen as a rival to the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Land Rover Discovery Sport. To keep pace with such strong competition, the 5008 has benefitted from a mid-life facelift that mirrors the style of the newer Peugeot 508.
The 5008 now comes with a choice of one petrol and one diesel engine – both featuring an automatic gearbox. From mid-2023, the basic 128bhp 1.2-litre turbo petrol was phased out in favour of a mild-hybrid unit; a small electric motor boosts power to 134bhp, which allows for short bursts of pure-electric running. It's a bit more expensive than the old 1.2-litre petrol, though, costing from around £38,000.
The 128bhp 1.5-litre diesel engine will suit higher-mileage buyers, returning up to 54mpg, though currently there is no plug-in hybrid option.
Picking your engine is easy, then, and the trim line-up is pretty straightforward too. Three specs are now offered: Active, Allure and the flagship GT. From the off you get LED lights and 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as a striking-looking dashboard featuring Peugeot’s i-Cockpit instrument display as standard. Stepping up through the range brings connected navigation on a bigger screen, plus keyless entry, while range-topping models feature sportier styling, a contrasting black roof and different interior trim.
