Peugeot 5008 engines & performance

The 5008's hybrid powertrain combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a 0.9kWh battery mounted under the front passenger seat.

The battery drives an electric motor mounted within the six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and activates at slower speeds to allow for all-electric manoeuvring.

The three-cylinder engine actually sounds quite pleasant under load. It has a satisfying growl but is quiet when you want it to be.

Jonathan Bryce

Editorial Assistant

Peugeot is keen to point out that the motor and battery – which gives only a 0.6-mile electric-only range – are there to aid efficiency, rather than performance.

The 134bhp system is good for a fairly reasonable 0-62mph time of 11.3sec and a top speed of 123mph. It also produces 170lb ft of torque helpfully low down in the rev range.

Generally speaking, the powertrain is up to the job of hauling the car's 1705kg kerb weight without much protest. It accelerates briskly enough that you don't worry about getting up to motorway speed on a slip road or taking advantage of a desirable gap in a roundabout. 

That being said, we can't help but think the powertrain will begin to act its size when there's a full load on board. A system that's good enough for the 208 and 308 hatchbacks may become slovenly when a car of this size and heft is loaded up with an extra 300kg of people and their inventory.