Should you buy one?

It’s debatable, given the strength of the opposition. The 5008 takes things up a gear compared to the old car and should be considered a more premium product too. Outside it looks more stylish than you’d expect for a car this size, and inside it’s spacious and refreshingly modern.

Sure, its interior doesn’t feel as plush as something from Mercedes-Benz or BMW for example, but it’s interesting and full of cool fabric, interesting tech and neat ideas. At this price point, the 5008 is competitive too, and arguably more tempting than its more electric counterparts.

Our main issue? The mooing gearbox. In this context, and set against the excellence of the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron the 5008 struggles in the battle to become our favourite seven-seater SUV. Having said that, the electric e-5008 is something else entirely – and well worth a look if you can plug in.

What’s new?

The seven-seater SUV Peugeot 5008 is more stylish and more premium than ever before, and feels like a much more luxurious offering than its direct rivals. Like the smaller 3008 it shares so much of its componetry with, it’s based on parent company Stellantis’ latest vehicle platform, only here it’s been scaled up to make room for a third row of seats.

At 4,791mm it’s 150mm longer than the old 5008, with 60mm that going between the wheels for a stretched wheelbase. The new 5008 is both 50mm wider and 40mm higher than the old model too, with the overall aim being more space with better accessibility.

The 5008 comes with several powertrain options. Customers after an internal combustion engine can choose between the mild-hybrid in this review, as well as a plug-in hybrid. Peugeot also makes the E-5008 for those who want an all-electric 5008, and that comes in a base model, long-range model and ‘sportier’ all-wheel drive model – with the latter two arriving in the next few months.

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What’s it like inside?

Jump aboard the 5008, and the first thing you notice will be its vast i-Cockpit screen. It measures a whopping 21 inches from corner to corner, and is a floating swathe of tech that stretches almost the entire length of the dash. In true Peugeot style, it resides above the 5008’s compact steering wheel. Without doubt, it looks impressive and adds premium flair to its cabin.

The middle is reserved for the usual navigation and media functions, while the part above the wheel takes the place of traditional cockpit dials. Underneath there’s another touchscreen where you can store your favourite shortcuts. It’s called the i-Toggle in Peugeot’s marketing speak, and although it features large bezels it’s another nice idea that elevates the Peugeot’s interior. Other cool features include a hidden wireless phone charger.

Thankfully, there are some physical buttons to play with, and the whole thing is wrapped materials that make the 5008 feel like a high-end airport lounge. There are ambient lights here too, and when combined with its lofty driving position the 5008 feels like a car you’d be happy to rattle off the miles in.

Move to the second row of seats, and you’ll immediately notice the benefits of the 5008’s extended wheelbase. There’s lots of room here, meaning I was even able to sit behind my 6ft 3in frame with ease. This was helped by indents on the rear of the front seats that make extra space for knees. Clever.

Getting the second row of seats to move is relatively clunky but do that, and you can get to the third row. The seats back there aren’t huge – so best suited for smaller members of your party – but they’re there. Boot space is 348-litres if you’re using them, but 916-litres if you’re not.

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Peugeot 5008 engines

The mild hybrid we’re driving uses a new 1.2-litre turbocharged engine with 136hp and 170lb ft of torque, and pairs it to a small 0.9kWh battery under the passenger seat. The whole thing goes through new six-speed, dual shift clutch gearbox and will hit 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds. Maximum speed is 123mph and the WLTP combined fuel consumption figures are 44.6-52.5mpg.

The plug-in hybrid makes 195hp and 258l ft of torque from a 1.6-litre ICE and puts it through a seven-speed box. Mpg rises to a great-on-paper-but-probably-impossible-to-achieve 212.7-356.2mpg according to the WLTP test results.

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What’s it like to drive?

Set off in the 5008 and it quickly makes sense as a comfortable people mover. The steering is quick, easy and light, giving the impression the 5008 is smaller than it actually is. It’s also good at U-turns too, as we found during the UK launch drive in the Cotswolds. You can read how we test cars at Parkers if you’re interested in seeing how we perform our assessments. 

The brakes are competent but lack feel at the top end, and the engine feels every bit as sluggish as its 11.3 second 0-62mph sprint time suggests. It’s ample around town and on B-roads – we just wish that it was quieter and more refined. Put your foot down and you’re presented with a mooing noise before you get any significant forward progress. It’s one of the key differences between this, and the more expensive E-5008.

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Still, what the 5008 lacks in straight line performance it makes up for in poise; at 1,705kg, the mild hybrid is considerably lighter than the 2,218kg E-5008 base model. That means it’s nimbler in the corners, changes direction slightly faster and the ride is better.

Simply put, the 5008 will soak up most bumps, the suspension working with the seats to give you a soft, cosseted ride. It’s exactly what you want from a car of this size, and makes driving feel relaxing and effortless. In town, you’ll also be able to use electric power only at times, for a near-silent experience.

If you’re interested in dynamics, you’ll be best pointed at the as yet unreleased dual motor E-5008, but there is an element of fun when driving the 5008. We found it rewarding to guide the 5008 through some of the Cotswold’s more interesting curves, for example.

What models and trims are available?

We’ve already gone over the 5008 model range, but once you choose the mild hybrid there’s one more decision to make. Peugeot have made things simple with just two trims available, a base-level Allure trim and then a top of the range GT trim.

These are considerably cheaper than their equivalent models in the E-5008 model range, with the plug-in hybrid ssitting about halfway between the two. As you’d expect, the GT model comes with more as standard, including Alcantara, better floor mats, cruise control and other trinkets.

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What else should I know?

The mild hybrid is available alongisde the base model of the all-electric E-5008. The plug-in will arrive in early 2025 along with a long-range and performance version of the E-5008.

The new 5008 has moved on the game significantly, but also faces very capable rivals headed by the excellent Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento. Does it have what it takes to see off it opposition and set new class standards? Find out by reading our verdict on the next page.