Peugeot 5008 2017 Review

Off the bat, Peugeot has already proved its first crack at a proper SUV isn't a dud. Sure, the front-drive-only 3008 isn't perfect and, with a $37,000 starting price, is pricier than competitors like the Mazda CX-5.

However, it's stylish, good to drive, has a great cabin and offers more than enough panache to pinch sales from more conservative mid-size SUV rivals.

But what if you need more space, or have a rapidly expanding family?

Peugeot thinks it has the answer with its larger seven-seat 5008. At 4640mm long, the 5008 is 190mm longer than the 3008 on which it's based. That's why, side by-by-side, the bigger car has a slightly elongated appearance, but it's still handsome and looks refreshingly different to its rivals.

Speaking of which, it seems almost unfair to compare the still diminutive 5008 with giants like the Mazda CX-9 that is a substantial 435mm longer and 129mm wider, but with pricing expected to range between about $40,000 and $55,000, for the range-topping GT model, we have no choice.

That means the little Peugeot will have its work cut out beating Carsales’ reigning Car of the Year.

Luckily, the space available in the 5008 has been used intelligently and for anyone who's had to hunt out a park for a CX-9 in a congested town or city centre, you might be grateful for the Peugeot's more petite proportions.

Like the 3008, the bigger new 5008 is billed as an 'SUV', but climb aboard and you realise the seven-seater is more of a people-mover in disguise -- and that's a good thing.

It's why the front passenger seat can fold flat and, in the rear, you'll find three individual chairs that both can slide and recline, or fold flat in the floor.

Real thought has gone into the Peugeot's interior's design – there are large side pockets and useful underfloor cubby holes to keep valuables out of sight.

Better yet, if you're blessed with triplets all three of those second-row seats have full ISOFIX child seat mountings.

Carry more kids (or mates back from the pub) and access to the third row is relatively easy but there's only enough legroom for short adults once you've slid the second row forward.

So far so good, but the 5008's packaging isn't perfect, especially on the range-topping GT version we drove.

As nice as a standard panoramic roof with an electric blind is, it robs far too much headroom in the second row. If you're tall you'll have to recline the seats back just to fit under it.

There's also no air-conditioning vents for those in the rear-most row.

Most will probably fold those rear seats down to take advantage of the huge 780-litre boot space. Better yet, you can remove the seats altogether (a five-minute job) to grow luggage space to a van-like 1060 litres behind the second row.

With the seats gone, Peugeot offers a neat docking station for either an electric scooter or an electric fold-up bicycle for those who would normally be forced to finish their commute to work in a city on foot or bus.

Up front and behind the wheel, the 5008 looks and feels remarkably like a 3008 and, again, that's no bad thing.

The latest i-Cockpit cabin design is a triumph of minimalism and all models come with the firm’s latest 12.3-inch virtual dash that's combined with an 8.0-inch infotainment system that's handily accompanied by a row of 'piano key' shortcuts that sit below.

It all makes cars like the Kluger feel dull and boring in comparison. Even fit and finish don't let the side down, but it's not without fault – far from it.

It's frustrating that the smart new virtual dash can be partly obscured by the steering wheel if you sit low with the wheel set high, and the infotainment system is crying out for some traditional dials to adjust the climate control. Without them, you have to interrupt the nav to cycle through menus just to raise or lower the temp.

The sat-nav also lags behind the class leaders. Even in its native France it was slow to react to an input and wasn't as clear as other systems but, thanks to standard-fit MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it is possible to use better third-party apps to guide you.

Since it's based on the 3008, you would expect the larger 5008 to drive almost identically and you'd be partially right.

Both sit on PSA's latest EMP2 platform that is both stiffer and lighter than the old car's underpinnings, bringing a significant reduction in weight.

Like its smaller brother, the 5008 comes with a steering wheel that feels like it’s two sizes too small for the car. Apparently, this is to give the impression of nimble handling and provide the driver a better view of the road ahead (at the expense of the dash).

We wish Peugeot hadn't bothered. Factor in a fast steering rack that also feels too light, and the tiny tiller feels unnatural and lifeless, providing little information of what's happening beneath.

Of course, the great irony is the 5008 doesn't even need any gimmicks to make it feel light, nimble and agile.

Compared to its bigger rivals it's a featherweight, tipping the scales at between 1365kg-1530kg. That's up to 475kg lighter than the CX-9 and a mighty 615kg less than the heavyweight Kluger.

The difference in mass naturally impacts on the way the Peugeot drives.

If you want your seven-seat SUV to drive like a family hatch, stop reading now and buy the Peugeot. The 5008 rolls less, changes direction quicker and generally offers levels of agility other large seven-seat SUVs just can't.

The 5008 we drove also offered better ride quality than the stiffly sprung 3008, but a word of caution: we only drove it on smooth roads, not the lunar landscapes Aussies have to endure.

The only irritation hindering smooth driving is that both 3008 and 5008 have brakes that are difficult to modulate at the very top of the pedal, making it difficult to avoid a juvenile jerkiness when coming to a stop.

Australian specs are yet to be confirmed, but there’s likely to be the choice of just two engines – a 121kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder and a more powerful 133kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Both are matched with Peugeot's 'EAT6' six-speed automatic transmission that does a decent job most of the time but can be reluctant to react to provocation when you need a quick down-change.

All-wheel drive is not an option. Instead, Peugeot will offer its Grip Control traction-enhancing electronics, plus mud and snow tyres as an option for those feeling adventurous.

In truth, the system is decent enough for most urbanites who accidentally stray out of the city. It's perfect for dragging you out of the odd patch of sand or mud but no more; it's still no match for proper four-wheel traction.

We drove the punchier 133kW diesel for our test. It takes 9.1 seconds to hit 100km/h -- a tenth of a second quicker than the petrol turbo.

The far bigger (and four-cylinder turbo-petrol only) CX-9 reaches the same benchmark almost a second soon but, behind the wheel, the sedate progress doesn't feel too much of a burden thanks to the diesel's 400Nm torque available.

Towing could be an issue though. The 5008 can only haul up to 1800kg, which is below par for the class.

Helping claw back points is the 5008 should offer some of the lowest running costs out there for a seven-seater.

Peugeot claims the diesel is capable of averaging just 4.8L/100km fuel consumption while emitting only 124g/km of CO2. Even the turbo-petrol is said to return a very respectable 5.8L/100km – much less than even the 2WD CX-9 (8.4L/100km) and Kluger (9.1).

Since the 5008 is set to arrive here late this year, Peugeot Australia says it's too early to talk pricing. As a guide though, in some European markets the 5008 commands premiums of only around $1500 over the smaller 3008.

It's the same story for nailing down what grades and specs the 5008 will come with. It might mirror the 3008's Active, Allure, GT Line and GT trims, but nothing's certain yet.

We drove a range-topping GT that was rumoured to be close to Australian spec, coming with 19-inch alloys, 360-degree cameras, auto-park, massaging seats, a premium sound system, hands-free tailgate and wireless phone charger.

Throw in a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating and the 5008 racks up as one of the best all-rounders the French car-maker offers.

But would you really buy one over the current crop of seven-seat SUVs — specifically the excellent CX-9, which is almost certain to have the edge of the French newcomer for value?

Even so, the 5008 deservedly carves out its own niche for those looking for a stylish seven-seat alternative to a large SUV, and its modest running costs and agile handling are just the icing on the cake.

Peugeot 5008 diesel pricing and specifications:
Price: TBC
On sale: December
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 133kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.8L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 124g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP, 2017)