Peugeot 5008 GT Line 2018 Review

What better place to launch a French SUV than Paris, France – and that’s exactly where Peugeot debuted its 5008 this time last year.

The completely redesigned former people mover is one of two all-new SUVs the brand has introduced to the Australian market within the last twelve months (the other being the five-seat 3008); and arrives as a competitor to upper-medium seven-seat rivals like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-8, Nissan X-TRAIL and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

Based on Groupe PSA’s EMP2 platform, the Peugeot 5008 shares its underpinnings with a range of models that include the 308 small hatch. Engine choices are of course comparable, the 5008 offering grade-dependant 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel units, both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

The Peugeot 5008 isn’t as cheap as some of its aforementioned rivals, owing in part to the higher levels of standard equipment offered.

Pricing for the three-variant range starts at $42,990 for the entry-grade 5008 Allure, the mid-grade GT Line on test priced from $46,990. Both are petrol-powered only. The high-series, diesel-only GT BlueHDi starts at $52,990.

Metallic paint (any colour other than Bianca White) attracts a $690 premium, while leather upholstery with seat heaters and driver-seat massage function is an additional $3700. The optional panoramic sunroof with LED side lighting is a further $2000 and Peugeot’s GripControl soft-road technology adds $200.

Peugeot Australia offers a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with included roadside assistance on its entire passenger range. The 5008 line-up requires servicing annually or at 20,000km intervals (whichever comes first) with capped-price servicing for petrol models costing $3000 and diesel models $2878 for the first five years.

If the thought of a properly practical family hauler appeals the 5008 could just be the ticket. The flexibility of the passenger and cargo compartments outranks anything we’ve sampled in the class, the triple-split second-row and fold-flat front passenger seat a tremendous aid in loading 2.7m lengths of timber, for example...

The cabin is especially quiet and the ride comfortable, but not too plush. The body is well supported in cornering and the steering response accurate, but not overtly sharp. Peugeot’s pint-sized steering wheel feels well placed and allows a clear view of the 12.3-inch i-Cockpit digital instrument panel and its multitude of personalisable displays.

That said the LCARS-like interface of the 8.0-inch centre screen, aforementioned instrument panel and minimalist hard-button array takes time to learn, and is difficult to navigate on the move. Seemingly simple functions like dimming the instrument panel, for example, mean digging deep through a series of menus. On the bright side, I guess owners would only need to do this once.

Engine response is a little muted from standstill but the turbocharged THP petrol unit soon finds its stride. The transmission cooperates cleanly with calls for kick-down and in spite of offering only six ratios provides a good spread for maintaining pace with fast-paced city traffic and freeway passing manoeuvres. The 5008 offers paddle shifts and Sport mode, both of which are handy for coaxing a little extra performance when travelling with four or more passengers on board.

The tight turning circle (11.1m) and light electric steering make parking a breeze. The 360-degree camera fitted to our test car is also very handy, and joins the 5008’s largely unobstructed visibility in providing confidence in close-quarter manoeuvring. The 5008 really does shrink around you.

The Peugeot 5008 is available now, having commenced Australian sales in February this year (2018).

The flagship SUV model joins an eleven-strong line-up that includes the small 208 hatch, 308 hatch and Touring (wagon), sporty 208 and 308 GTi variants, larger 508 sedan and Touring, 2008 light SUV and 3008 mid-size SUV.

Peugeot’s Mitsubishi ASX-based 4008 SUV is no longer available, but is likely to be replaced by a sexy coupe-styled SUV bearing the same nameplate within the next 18-24 months.

Like most SUVs the Peugeot 5008 is squarely aimed at family buyers. In this instance the 5008’s more compact exterior dimensions, temporary-use third-row seats (read: primary school-aged children only) and extremely generous cargo area – replete with optional e-Kick electric scooter – are bound to prove a hit, along with the long equipment list, amenity levels and a stylish look inside and out.

Safety equipment includes the expected electronic chassis aids, six airbags (with full-length curtain airbags), autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-go function, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition with intelligent speed adaption and a reversing camera. The Peugeot 5008 shares its five-star EuroNCAP rating with the smaller 3008 on which it is based.

The 5008 GT Line on test also picks up auto high-beam, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and driver attention alert (fatigue monitoring). These complement the standard safety, comfort and convenience items that include 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment array with satellite navigation and digital radio, keyless entry and ignition, LED headlights, park assist, powered tailgate, and wireless phone charging.

Family buyers are also bound to appreciate the slide-fold-recline functionality of the second row’s individual three seats, fold-flat front passenger pew, removable third-row seats, and second-row window blinds and tray tables. They will, however, likely lament the omission of third-row ventilation outlets and a spare wheel on GT diesel models.

In much the same way the Mazda CX-8 is the seven-seat alternative to the smaller CX-5, the Peugeot 5008 can be thought of as the bigger brother to the five-seat 3008.

Measuring 4641mm long (or 190mm longer than the 3008), 1844mm wide and 1646mm high, the 5008 rides on a 2840mm wheelbase and offers between 780-1940 litres of cargo space and up to 1500kg braked towing capacity with 70kg towball down-weight. It tips the scales at 1473kg (tare) in GT Line format.

Those numbers place the Peugeot 5008 in competition with Medium SUV rivals that include the strong-selling Mazda CX-5 (13,847 sales YTD 2018), Toyota RAV4 (11,770), Nissan X-TRAIL (10,524) and Hyundai Tucson (10,280). By comparison, the 5008 sold just 307 units during the same period.

Initially, the 5008 might seem a little dear compared to its rivals from Honda and Nissan, but when viewed against the competition from Mazda and Volkswagen it begins to make a little more sense. Here’s a genuinely useful family hauler with the safety and infotainment smarts to challenge the best in the segment. It’s also a far more refined on-road performer than most of its 5+2 seat brethren.

With top-notch material quality throughout, sound ergonomics, a wonderfully hushed cabin, and acres of inner space it seems odd that the 5008 sells as poorly as it does – especially when you consider its after-sales provisions and safety technology are up there with the best in the business.

It might have been launched in Paris, but we reckon the 5008 is a great fit for the Aussie market too. The lack of a spare wheel on diesel models aside, it’s an impressively well thought-out family car that we think is well worth considering.

How much does the 2018 Peugeot 5008 GT Line cost?
Price: $46,990 (plus ORCs); $53,380 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 121kW/240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined); 8.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 156g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP (2016)