Why we ran it: To discover if Peugeot has a class leader on its hands by fitting seven-seat MPV convenience into an on-trend SUV body
Month 6 - Month 5 - Month 4 - Month 3 - Month 2 - Month 1 - Specs
Life with a Peugeot 5008: Month 6
What’s a seven-seat MPV-cum-SUV doing sitting alongside an Alpine A110 in our fantasy garage? Its minder explains - 13th March 2019
I have driven Alpines, Porsches and Ferraris. Audis, BMWs and Land Rovers. The list goes on.
You name ’em, I’ve lived a life lucky enough to have got behind the wheel of ’em, with the slightly perplexing exception of a Lamborghini, the keys to which always elude me. I imagine your hearts are bleeding as you all reach for your violins.
But (and I write this in the full knowledge that your eyebrows are about to soar up your forehead, shortly to tumble again as you conclude that I’m clutching a large paper envelope stuffed full of fivers) the first slot in my dream garage is now reserved for the Peugeot 5008.
This is not a joke, nor some misguided attempt at humility, but in fact something I’ve been pondering for the past 7500 miles or so at the wheel. I am certain that I am right: the 5008 is – undisputedly – the most fundamentally capable, quietly joyous family transport that I’ve had the pleasure to run, buoyed both by its inherent capabilities and qualities and the fact that its badge carries no baggage.
I’ll admit that when Peugeot’s styling folk announced they were reinventing their largest MPV as an SUV, I rolled my eyes – it sounded like a recipe for a car that fell into a gap between two clearly defined slots, or the sort of marketing sleight that makes my blood boil. Then I started noticing more and more 5008s on the road. And I liked what I saw.
Design is, of course, subjective, but I reckon the 5008 is bestowed with a presence that makes it known without any need to be shouty. The details are many and varied, but if I had to pick one I think it would be the vertical slotted rear headlights, which are distinctive without veering into some of the blinking slot-machine kitschness that certain German marques mistake for looking premium (in my humble opinion).
Inside, Peugeot’s design team ups its game again. It’s slightly ironic that as brand stable-mate DS fights to establish its interpretation of an upmarket but non-German look, Peugeot seems to be showing it the way – combining traditional materials with neat, non-leather touches. It is amazing just how much flourishes such as the fabric inserts lift the interior ambience.
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I like it
I hired a 3008 over the New Year in Germany (the car hire company tried to sell me an upgrade to a Mercedes, but upselling always annoys me, so I said no) and I didn't know what to expect with the Peugeot. I have to say that I agree with pretty much everything they say about the 5008 where it applies to the 3008. The interior really does show that you can be imaginative and not just copy those dull interiors. The car has a real style about it, inside and out and, in this regard, is a breath of fresh air. And yes, I was surprised to learn, when I got home and looked it up, how small the engine is. I wouldn't have known from driving it. And yes, the USB port is hard to get at.
PS. If you've never spent New Year's eve in Germany, do so, before the killjoys stop the fireworks!
Sounds very interesting...
Thank you for all these reports on life with the 5008, Mr Holder. Much appreciated and might well be very relevant. We are a city-based family with three children who need to replace an old diesel XC90 and this sounds like it might be just the job.
A friend has a Skoda Kodiaq and struggles to fit three kids across the middle seat. We will go and look at the 5008 with interest. I'm looking forward to the prospect of a petrol engined car again...