2018 Peugeot 5008 Launch Review

Peugeot dealerships in Australia now have an all-new mid-size SUV to offer Aussie buyers – the 2018 Peugeot 5008.

You might remember the 5008 (five-thousand and eight) as a people-mover (or MPV), the model is back though and back in the shape of a seven-seat SUV.

Here to compliment the other fresh SUV offerings in the Peugeot range, the 2008 and 3008, there’s a lot to like about this French entry into the market.

Exterior

Mid-size SUVs are often criticized for their styling, the market research must indicate that a conservative and tried and true design is what people are after.

The new Peugeot 5008 though breaks from the pack.

To be honest, I’m not completely in love with the front of the new Peugeot SUV, but I do like the side profile and the rear, especially with those ‘cat claw’ taillights, works really well.

Interior

Your eyes are first drawn to the tiny little steering wheel when you open the door of the new offering. Like the 3008, the 5008’s steering wheel has a flat top and flat bottom – combined with the small proportions it gives you an unusual feel.

I quite like it though.

What I also like is the fold-flat front passenger seat (as seen here). Enabling you to accommodate loads up to 3.18 metres, this could be really handy for surfboards and the like.

The rear seats, all five of them, fold down nice and flat too, and if you need a bit of extra cargo space you can actually quite easily remove the third-row seats without any tools.

The Peugeot designers have also provided 5008 owners with plenty of nicely-sized storage spots around the cabin.

There’s also handy (little) fold-down airplane style tables for the two outer rear seat occupants, as well as window blinds.

Up front you will find a very modern dashboard layout with full digital instrumentation and a large infotainment screen.

You can flick from one function to the next in the infotainment system via the smart ‘piano keys’ that are centrally located.

How much space is there for third-row occupants? Well, not a lot – I squeezed in but only just. Like most of the others in this segment the third-row is best left for kids.

There are a couple of complaints that I had about the vehicle. Firstly, and repeated in every Citroen/Peugeot vehicle, is the bonkers positioning of the cruise control stalk.

The buttons and controls are completely obscured by the steering wheel and that means unless you know by memory which button is which you most likely won’t get it working.

There also seemed to be a few minor rattles emanating from the rear of the vehicle, I believe this could have been an issue to do with the folding third-row seats.

While I felt the centre console lip was uncomfortable to rest your leg on (which you invariably do in an auto vehicle).

Features

There are three specification levels available in the 2018 Peugeot 5008 – Allure, GT-Line and GT and standard kit across the range includes:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Autonomous Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Lane Departure Alert
• Electric parkbrake
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reverse camera
• Push-button ignition
• Digital Radio
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

The mid-spec model adds features like Active Blind Spot Monitoring, an electric tailgate, LED headlights and fog lights, powered folding door mirrors, and a ‘Black Diamond’ roof (instead of body colour).

The top-spec Peugeot 5008 gets the full with additions like 19″ alloy wheels (up from 18″), Alcantara/leather interior, and an electric/massaging driver’s seat.

Drive and Engine

The new Peugeot 5008 is offered with a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine in base and mid-spec variants, the top-spec model gets a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel.

The petrol engine delivers 121kW/240Nm, the diesel providing 133kW/400Nm, on the Australian launch of the 5008 I only got to sample the petrol-powered model.

Mated to a six-speed auto transmission (as is the diesel), the engine provides better than decent acceleration and hill-climbing ability, albeit we didn’t try the vehicle with a full load of seven people.

Perhaps the diesel, with its 400Nm, might be the better option if you’re likely to be regularly hauling a heavier load?

Aside from the engine I am really pleased to say that this is a very well sorted vehicle.

The ride is very good, the steering is sharp and the handling is far beyond what you might expect from a seven-seat SUV – full marks.

There’s also good visibility from the driver’s seat and nicely-sized mirrors too.

Overall, the Peugeot is a pleasant and easy vehicle to drive.

Safety

At this stage there isn’t an ANCAP safety rating for the 2018 Peugeot 5008. Standard safety gear though includes front, side and rear airbags, three ISOFIX child seat restraints (middle-row), and assist features like speed limit recognition and Driver Attention Alert.

Good Bits

• Styling and overall feel
• On-road characteristics
• Standard features
• Clever storage areas/options

Not So Good Bits

• Diesel only in top-spec, petrol not in top-spec model
• Third-row seat space
• Cruise control stalk positioning
• Minor rattles

Summary

The Peugeot 3008 has been met with strong enthusiasm by Aussie SUV buyers and I don’t see any reason why the 5008 won’t also be a vehicle in demand.

It’s French, but not too French, versatile, easy to drive and boasts enough prestige to keep most people, especially families, happy.

It’s a good vehicle and well worth a test-drive if a mid-size seven-seat SUV is on your ‘to do’ list.

Facts and Figures: 2018 Peugeot 5008

• Engines: 1.6 litre turbo-petrol producing 121kW/240Nm or 2.0 litre turbo-diesel producing 133kW/400Nm
• Transmission: Six-speed auto
• Safety: Not tested
• Warranty: Five years
• Origin: France
• Price: Allure from $42,990, GT-Line from $46,990, GT from 52,990