This content is out of date and scheduled to be removed.

Review: Peugeot 5008

Image of James Fossdyke
Author: | Updated: 06 Aug 2014 16:51

Peugeot has a long and illustrious history of building spacious and practical family cars, so the French company’s 5008 seven-seater really ought to have the large MPV segment all sewn up.

However, having been launched in 2010, the 5008 is getting long in the tooth while the competition in the large MPV segment has hotted up. With old faces like the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso upping its game and new entrants to the market like the Fiat 500L MPW, we decided to see whether a 2014 facelift is enough to keep the big Pug competitive.

IMG_7983

Smarter

The first piece of good news for Peugeot is that the facelift certainly improves the car’s looks. The adoption of the ‘floating’ grille and the smaller, more intricate headlights has brought the 5008 in line with the rest of the Peugeot range as well as giving the car an altogether smarter appearance – vital when it’s competing against sharp-suited opponents like the Grand Picasso, S-Max and the new Zafira.

At 4.53m long, 1.64m tall and 1.84m wide, the Peugeot is smaller than many of its competitors, especially the huge SEAT Alhambra, but it’s much more spacious. At a pinch, adults will fit in the third row of seats and with the second row folded flat, the boot space is a whopping 2,506 litres, around 500 more than the S-Max and over 300 more than the Grand C4 Picasso.

IMG_8041

See our Peugeot 5008 personal leasing deals here

It’s clear that the Peugeot has been designed to make family life easier, with seats that fold with the pull of a toggle and a range of movements to make the 5008 easily configurable, while mid-spec Active cars get a nifty boot torch.

Despite this obvious forethought, the storage solutions are sadly lacking. The glovebox is hardly commodious enough for a large pair of sunglasses and the compartment under the steering column is little better.

In fact, the only saving grace is the big storage bin in the centre console. It’s made from scratchy, hard plastic and the lid is flimsy, but there’s plenty of room for iPods, phones and portable sat navs. In fact, there’s enough space in there for the contents of an overnight bag.

Recycled Cozy Coupes

The biggest downside inside the 5008, however, is the build quality, which is no better than average. MPVs are often built down to a price, but in places the 5008 really does feel more like a van than a car.

Swathes of shiny, thin plastic have been used on the centre console, and lower parts of the door cards feel like they’re made from recycled Cozy Coupes.

IMG_8034

On the plus side, the 5008 does come with plenty of kit. Basic Access models (from £19,050) are even fitted with air conditioning, 16in alloy wheels and Bluetooth connectivity as standard.

Moving up to mid-range Active model adds automatic lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors,

In the top-spec Allure models like the one on test (from £23,450), the cabin comes equipped with satellite navigation, cruise control, a reversing camera and the ‘Cielo’ glass roof, while options fitted to the test car included the classy leather upholstery.

Engines

The 5008 is available with five engines – two petrols and three diesels – offering fuel economy between 40mpg and 66mpg.

As standard, the 5008 comes with a 1.6-litre VTi petrol engine. With 120hp, it takes the big Pug to 62mph in 12.3 seconds while returning 40.9mpg.

If performance is in order, the 1.6-litre THP petrol engine is the one to go for, using 156hp to accelerate to 62mph in 9.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 121mph. It’s only slightly less economical than the basic petrol engine, managing 40.4mpg.

Economy is more likely to take precedence with those wanting a 5008, and the most frugal engine is the 1.6-litre e-HDi diesel engine, which uses stop/start to help it achieve as much as 65.7mpg depending on the tyres fitted. It’s also the least polluting engine, emitting CO2 at a rate of just 123g/km. Speed isn’t its forte though, with 0-62mph dealt with in a fairly pedestrian 12.6 seconds.

It doesn’t stack up that well compared to the competition, with the most efficient Citroen Grand C4 Picasso managing over 70mpg and the fastest Ford S-Max getting to 62mph in 8.5 seconds.

On the road

Like most cars, the 5008 has a very upright driving position, almost like a large van. It’s to be expected, but when the (only slightly) slightly smaller MPVs like the Fiat 500L MPW has a much more regular driving position, you wonder why the other MPVs can’t follow suit. It’s only a minor irritation, though, and something you’d get used to fairly quickly.

Around town and on the motorway, the 5008 is quite competent, with reasonable refinement and good visibility through the big windows. However, it’s the B-roads between the town and the motorway that cause problems.

IMG_7987

See our Peugeot 5008 business leasing deals here

It would be unfair to expect the tall, bulky 5008 to handle like a supercar, and it offers up no surprises. At speed, feel for the front wheels is very limited, but somehow every pothole unsettles the car – a problem made worse by vague steering.

The gearbox does little to improve the driving experience, with a loose and notchy feel and while the light clutch makes the car less tiring to drive in heavy traffic, it’s uninformative, making smooth clutch control a test.

Scrapping a normal handbrake in favour of the electric one has made driving harder than it need be, too. It’s a decision that necessitates Hill Start Assist (standard on all models), but the system is too grabby, meaning too gentle a touch with the accelerator won’t trigger the automatic brake release.

The verdict

Peugeot may have facelifted the 5008, but the unchanged underpinnings are starting to show their age. It’s not as economical as the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, nor is it as quick as a Ford S-Max. That said, the major downsides – cheap plastics and slightly awkward driving position – are symptomatic of the segment, so it’s hard to penalise the car for that.

When all’s said and done, the Pug is a well thought-out family bus with plenty of neat touches. It’s also well-priced, undercutting the Ford S-Max and the Vauxhall Zafira and on a par with the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, so it’s definitely worth a look.

IMG_7985

Peugeot 5008 at a glance

For

+ Spacious
+ Well thought-out cabin
+ Facelift has made it easier on the eye

Against

- Not as economical as some
- Driving dynamics are uninspiring
- Loose, notchy gearbox

Vital stats

Length: 4529mm
Width: 1837mm (2118mm incl. mirrors)
Height: 1639mm
Wheelbase: 2727mm
Boot space: 823 litres / 2506 litres
Petrol engines: 1.6 VTi 120, 1.6 THP 156
Diesel engines: 1.6 HDi 115, 1.6 e-HDi 115 (start/stop), 2.0 HDi (man/auto)
Fastest option: 1.6 THP 156 Allure – 9.7s 0-62mph, 121mph max speed
Best fuel economy: 1.6 e-HDi FAP EGC 115hp – 58.9-65.7mpg, 123g/km CO2
Trims: Access, Active, Allure
Starting price: £19,050 – Access 1.6 VTi 120
Rivals: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, Ford S-Max, Seat Alhambra, VW Touran

Categories:
Previous Post Next Post
Not sure what car you want?
  • Easy-to-use tool
  • Save time and money
  • Meet your match
Find your dream car

Manufacturer Spotlight

Related Deals

  • Peugeot 5008

    1.2 PureTech Active 5dr EAT8

    Peugeot 5008 1.2 PureTech Active 5dr EAT8
    Personal Contract Hire
    6+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £3,054.78
    £509.13
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Jet Vehicle Finance
  • Peugeot 5008

    1.2 PureTech Active 5dr EAT8

    Peugeot 5008 1.2 PureTech Active 5dr EAT8
    Personal Contract Hire
    3+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £1,619.04
    £539.68
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Jet Vehicle Finance
  • Peugeot 5008

    1.2 PureTech Active 5dr EAT8

    Peugeot 5008 1.2 PureTech Active 5dr EAT8
    Personal Contract Hire
    9+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £4,336.74
    £481.86
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Jet Vehicle Finance
  • Peugeot 5008

    1.5 BlueHDi Active 5dr EAT8

    Peugeot 5008 1.5 BlueHDi Active 5dr EAT8
    Personal Contract Hire
    1+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £600.18
    £600.18
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Jet Vehicle Finance