Peugeot 5008 Reviews

The 5008 is Peugeot's largest SUV available in the local market. It's the stretched version of the 3008 but it offers flexibility with two extra seats, a big boot and clever seat configurations that should suit most gear stowage. But do you get the family features that often make bigger SUVs the more practical choice?

The Peugeot 5008 is hugely successful in Europe but has barely made a dent here. Perhaps it's the brilliant looks, the innovative and gorgeous interior or the price that scares people off. None of those things should - obviously - so it's probably something to do with the badge. Because it remains hugely underrated by Australians.

Peugeot remains a tiny protagonist on the edge of a ferocious Aussie SUV market battlefield. But a limited edition version of its mid-size 5008 offers an interesting alternative to the mainstream players.

There are a few surprises in store when you come across the Peugeot 5008. It's a seven-seat SUV and competes with other five-seat SUVs moonlighting as seven-seaters (you only use the back two seats when the need arises), like the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen's Tiguan Allspace. So how much space is there and what's it like to drive?

The GT-Line is the middle rung on the 5008 ladder, sitting above the Allure and below the GT in the seven-seat SUV line-up.

The GT trim sits atop the 5008 range, above the GT-Line and Allure trim levels.

The Allure is the entry point to the 5008 family, sitting below the GT-Line and GT in the seven-seat SUV line-up. It'll set you back a non-inconsiderable $42,990, but there's plenty of bang for those bucks.Expect 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, auto headlights and wipers, electric (and heated) door mirrors and keyless entry. Inside, you'll find those three rows of 'man-made leather' seats, dual-zone climate and automatic windows. Tech is covered by an 8.0-inch central touchscreen with navigation and DAB, along with wireless charging for your Android phone (iPhones require a special case).Nestled under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine good for 121kW at 6000rpm and 240Nm at 1400rpm. It sends its power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Peugeot isn't exactly top of mind in the Australian new car market, but the long-established French brand is mounting a product-led campaign to win greater awareness and sales.

Peugeot's 5008 is a longer version of the 3008, which launched in Europe in early 2016. It’s 190mm longer, in fact, but the net yield in interior space far outweighs that seemingly minor increase.

Two wheel drive compact SUVs are squeezing ‘genuine’ people movers off buyer’s radar because they’re cheap and perform a similar mass transit function - almost. Sometimes however, only a people mover will do.A properly designed and engineered ‘family bus’ such as Peugeot’s new 5008 is a sensible vehicle for conveying seven people economically, comfortably and safely. The new Pug bus joins the ugly 3008 that has hung around like a bad smell for a while.We drove the newcomer recently on an extended 1000km test run sometimes with people, sometimes in van-mode house moving.VALUEGoodies such as a panoramic sun roof, satnav, front arm rests, front and side park assist, reverse camera, dual-zone climate control with adjustable side pillar vents, electric park brake, cruise with speed limiter, retractable side window blinds, pollen filter, trip computer and auto headlights and wipers are standard kit.Other practicalities include two DVD players for the second row occupants with bluetooth head sets and multimedia connections.Leather costs three grand more on top of the 1.6 at $36,990 and the 2.0-litre diesel at $40,490, both six-speed autos only. The vehicle is a little more compact but taller than a Honda Odyssey  that has difficult third row access and is only beaten on price by Kia’s new Rondo ($29,990).DESIGNIt is OK to look at too, a bit like a five door hatch morphed and plumped into a wagon. The 5008 has characteristic current Peugeot design cues about its flanks in particular the head and tail lights, grille and side highlight lines. The interior of Aussie spec’ 5008 is the same in both 1.6-litre turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbo diesel variants and is to medium luxury level.With all seven seats in place, a reasonable load space remains. But there’s no spare, only a tyre inflation kit. The 5008 will take seven adults with relative ease and provides simple access to the third row through folding ‘cinema’ seats in the second row. The third row with two seats comes complete with a proper foot well, sedan-like seat positioning and adjustable aircon’ vents.The second and third rows are all foldable to provide a large, completely flat load space if needed. And the process is quick and easy. Access to the luggage compartment is by a large, top-hinged hatch and the load deck height is roughly the same as a small hatchback.SAFETYSafety rates five stars with six air bags including a curtain bag that covers the entire side to aft of the third row.ENGINEWe got a crack in the high-tech, direct injection, turbo petrol 1.6 rated at 115kW/240Nm (the 2.0-litre diesel achieves 120kW/340Nm) and though initially sceptical about the ability of such an engine to move more than 1.5 tonnes of vehicle and potentially half a tonne of human and some luggage, we were soon convinced.DRIVINGThe engine is in a few other Pugs including the RCZ auto and other less glamorous models. It churns out plenty of low rev grunt to get the whole plot quickly mobile and has no trouble whizzing along at freeway speeds including uphill, fully laden with the air on.Noise is minimal and the vehicle has a comfortable and controlled ride from the simple strut front and torsion beam rear suspension. The driving position is car-like and comfortable over a long run and we were able to achieve the manufacturer’s claimed 7.6-litres/100km combined fuel economy. But it prefers 95 or better petrol. The auto is good and the drive feel is decidedly not “mum-bus”.It has a few direct competitors apart from perhaps Citroen’s C4 Picasso which is essentially the same vehicle underneath - at a bit more money.VERDICTA worthy vehicle if you are a breeder and must have a people mover.