Peugeot 5008 2021 review

Earlier on carsguide.com.ua: Peter Anderson drove a Peugeot 5008 and really liked it. 

I don't think it will be much of a shock when I find out that the recent update to the 5008 seven-seater has improved the car and thus my opinion of it. 

Also, it's more than just an update. Prices are much higher than when I drove the Crossway edition 5008 in 2019 (remember those happy times?), and the difference between petrol and diesel engines is especially big now in 2021.

The updated 5008 is a lot like its 3008 sibling, and they both share a very important attribute - they're distinctly French, in a good way.

Peugeot 5008 2021: GT line
Safety Rating
engine's type	1.6 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	7l / 100km
Landing	7 Places
Price from	$40,100

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

Local Peugeot is presenting the 5008 in an interesting location. While it's far from the largest of the seven-seaters, it's also not the cheapest, an honor that goes to Peugeot's former off-road tech partner, Mitsubishi. 

Now there's only one specification level (even though it's actually not), GT, and you can get it in petrol version for (deep breath) $51,990 or diesel form (keep breathing) $59,990. That's a lot of money.

The 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster is new.

But, as I said, they have different characteristics. And there's a lot there.

The petrol GT opens with 18-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (apparently updated), a new 10.0-inch touchscreen (same), front and rear parking sensors, surround view cameras, leather and alcantara seats, keyless entry. and start, automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, power tailgate, rear window blinds, automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers and a space saver spare.

The petrol GT wears 18-inch alloy wheels.

The pricier diesel gets a diesel engine (obviously), a loud 10-speaker Focal stereo, acoustic laminated front side windows, and 19-inch alloy wheels. 

The diesel GT's front seats have also been upgraded, with additional adjustment, a massage function, heating, a memory function, and electric drive for just about everything on them.

Both versions have a new 10.0-inch multimedia touch screen. The old screen was slow and really needed a good punch to work, which is a bit of an issue when there are so many features packed into the system. 

Inside is a new 10.0-inch touch screen.

The new one is better, but still lags. Ironically, the climate control labels constantly frame the screen, so the extra space goes to those controls.

Diesel GT seats are available as an option on the petrol version as part of the $3590 Options Package. The package also adds Nappa leather, which is itself a separate $2590 option for this higher-spec model. None of the backpacks are cheap (but the Nappa leather is fine) and the massage seats are more than a novelty.

Other options are $1990 for the sunroof and $2590 for nappa leather (diesel only).

Only one "Sunset Copper" paint color is provided free of charge. The rest are optional. For $690, you can choose from Celebes Blue, Nera Black, Artense Grey, or Platinum Grey. "Ultimate Red" and "Pearl White" cost $1050.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

The 5008 has always been the slightly clunky big brother of the 3008. That's not to say it was (or is) ugly, but the big box attached to the rear is a lot less savory than the fast rear of the 3008. 

There aren't many changes at this end, so the cool claw-shaped lanterns carry the style. 

In profile, again, it's a bit clunky (compared to the 3008), but nice work with different materials and shapes helps keep it bulky.

The front is where the facelift has taken place.

The front is where the facelift has taken place. I've never been completely sure about the front of the 5008, but redesigning the headlights to look less like they're squeezed out of a tube of toothpaste is a noticeable improvement. 

Updated headlights are perfectly combined with a new frameless grille. The fang-style daytime running lights that debuted on the great 508 look fantastic here on the 5008. This is excellent work.

5008 looks a bit awkward.

Inside, it hasn't changed much, that is, it's still brilliant. It truly is one of the most inventive interiors in any car, anywhere, and is a delight to sit in. 

The seats look brilliant, especially in the diesel car with their fine stitching and racy shapes. The wacky "i-Cockpit" driving position works much better in more upright vehicles like SUVs and is present and correct, while the new 10.0-inch screen also looks good. 

Inside the 5008 has not changed much.

Even if you're not interested in buying one of these, if you're passing by a Peugeot showroom, stop by and take a look, touch the materials, and wonder why more interiors aren't as cool.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

Legroom in the middle row is ample, knee room is ample, and the long, flat roof keeps you from getting a haircut. 

There is enough legroom in the middle row.

Each of the front seats has an airliner-style drop-down table that kids go crazy for.

The third row can only really be used occasionally, but it gets the job done and is easy enough to access. The middle row also slides forward (60/40 split) to leave a bit more space for the third row, which is nice.

The third row is really for casual use only.

The 5008 has a trick up its sleeve - removable third-row seats. If you fold the middle row and stow the rear row, you get a whopping 2150 liters (VDA) of cargo volume. 

If you just fold down the third row, you still have an impressive 2042 liters of volume. Push the rear row out again but leave the center row in place and you have a 1060 liter trunk, stick them back on and it's still an impressive 952 liters. So, this is a massive boot.

The third row seats are removed.

The 5008 is designed to tow 1350 kg (petrol) or 1800 kg (diesel) with a trailer with brakes, or 600 kg (gasoline) and 750 kg (diesel) without brakes.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10

As the name of the cars suggests, there are petrol and diesel engines. Both drive to the front wheels only through automatic transmissions.

Petrol 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with 121 kW at 6000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1400 rpm. The petrol variant is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and accelerates to 0 km/h in 100 seconds.

For monsters of torque, a diesel with 131 kW at 3750 rpm and 400 Nm at 2000 rpm is best suited. This engine gets two more gears for a total of eight and accelerates to 0 km/h in 100 seconds. 

So neither is a drag racer, which is to be expected when you have enough weight to pull (1473kg for petrol, 1575kg for diesel).

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

Peugeot claims a combined cycle rate of 7.0 l/100 km for petrol and 5.0 l/100 km for diesel. A petrol figure seems plausible, but a diesel one doesn't.

I drove a lighter 3008 for six months with the same engine (but two gears down, of course) and its average consumption was closer to 8.0L/100km. The last time I had a 5008 I got 9.3L/100km.

When I drove these cars at a launch event (mostly on the highway), the 7.5L/100km figure listed on the dashboard I saw is not a reliable indicator of actual consumption. 

Both tanks hold 56 litres, so according to official figures you will get around 800 km on petrol and over 1000 km on diesel. Roll at daytime range is about 150 km lower.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

5008 lands with six airbags, ABS, various stability, traction and braking systems, speed limit sign recognition, driver attention detection, distance warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road edge detection, automatic high beams , rear view camera and around- view cameras.

The diesel accepts lane positioning assistance, while neither has reverse cross traffic warning. No less annoying is the fact that the curtain airbags do not reach the rear row.

The front AEB includes cyclist and pedestrian detection in low light at speeds from 5.0 to 140 km/h, which is impressive. 

The middle row has three ISOFIX anchorages and three top cable anchors, while the removable third row has two top cable holders.

In 5008, the 2017 model received a maximum of five ANCAP stars.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

Peugeot's five-year unlimited mileage warranty is pretty standard now, but always welcome. You also get five years of roadside assistance and five years/100,000 km of flat-price service.

Interestingly, the maintenance prices for gasoline and diesel are not much different, with the former costing $2803 for five years (average $560 per year) and the latter $2841 (average $568.20 per year). 

You have to visit your Peugeot dealer every 12 months / 20,000 km, which is not too bad. Some turbocharged cars in this segment require more visits or cannot cover as many miles between services.

What is it like to drive? 7/10

Once you get comfortable with the i-Cockpit, with its tall dashboard and tiny rectangular steering wheel, you'll feel like you're driving a much smaller car. 

Over the years I have assumed that the light steering combined with the small steering wheel makes it more dynamic than it really is, but I think that is wrong - this is a really well tuned machine to have fun in.

The 5008 isn't fast, and it's not a cool SUV.

I was only able to drive the 1.6-litre petrol engine with the six-speed automatic at launch, and it was on a terribly rainy day during the recent floods in Sydney. 

The M5 motorway was covered in standing water, and spray from large trucks made driving conditions more difficult than usual. 

The big Michelin tires grip the pavement pretty well.

5008 has been through it all (pun intended). This engine is hardly the last word in power and torque, but it gets the job done and the car is well calibrated to the numbers. 

The big Michelin tires grip the pavement pretty well, and while you always feel the weight of the seven-seat SUV, it feels more like a raised van than a loose SUV. 

The 5008 is a car to have fun in.

Fewer of its rivals are loose these days, but there's a bit of spark in the 5008 that lives up to the promise of its looks. 

It's not a fast or cool SUV, but every time I get into this or its smaller 3008 brother, I ask myself why more people aren't buying them.

Annoyingly, the diesel costs a lot more if you want the extra power in a gear and two more gears.

Verdict

The answer, I think, is twofold - the price and the badge. Peugeot Australia has work to do to make a difference as 2020 has been a tough year and 2021 promises to be almost as tough. There are no significant changes in 5008 that would suddenly make it stand out from the crowd, because it has already done so. So the badge printing doesn't match the premium price.

Peugeot SUVs are very popular in Europe, but here they are barely noticeable. Since there is no cheaper model that could lure buyers off the street, it is harder to sell. Peugeot's glory days in the late 1990s and late 1970s mean that people who have fond memories of the badge are older and probably have no affection for the French lion at all. Perhaps a buoyant 2008 will start that conversation, but it doesn't come cheap either.

Having said all that, it's hard to see why people who can spend over fifty thousand dollars on a seven-seat car - and there are many - don't pay more attention to the 5008. It's striking, practical, but not overbearing. t is unreasonably large or even slightly awkward. It may not have all-wheel drive, but hardly anyone ever uses it. It will handle the city, the freeway, and, as I found, the biblical rain. Like his brother 3008, it's a mystery that they don't exist anymore.