Peugeot 5008 (2017-2024) review

This is Peugeot's range topper, and it may surprise you to find out that it is already in its third generation – but that’s quite alright because the first one was eminently forgettable. 

The seven-seat MPV launched in 2009, right in the middle of the French carmaker’s particularly awkward looking phase. The concept must have had promise, even if the execution didn’t – the second version of the car in 2017 was a much more fashionable SUV number. It was facelifted in 2020 and has proven popular with family buyers. 

It looks good, doesn't it?

We think so – the Peugeot fangs might be polarising for some, but the 5008 has sharp lines, a stylish look (the front end is particularly nice) and it disguises its seven seat heft very well. 

One criticism of the 5008’s looks could be that it perhaps looks too similar to the outgoing smaller 3008 SUV, but then they are essentially the same car underneath, using shared platforms that have been deployed across the Stellantis group. Think of them as the five- and seven-seat versions.

What engines can I have?

You’ve got two powertrain options with the 5008 – a 129bhp 1.5-litre 4cyl diesel or a 134bhp 1.2-litre 3cyl petrol with hybrid assistance. 

The diesel is rated at 45.4mpg/137g/km CO2 and makes it from 0–62mph in 11.8 seconds, while the hybrid car is rated at 45.6mpg/139g/km CO2 and accelerates to 62mph in 10.4 seconds. The hybrid comes with a six-speed dual clutch auto that has the hybrid tech integrated, while the diesel gets a more ‘traditional’ eight-speed auto. 

With such close economy numbers it might seem like there’s a bit of pointless overlap with these powertrains, but the diesel is better if you do a lot of motorway miles and the hybrid with its 0.9kWh is at its strongest around town. It won’t drive for very long in its EV mode, but it will sit still and creep through traffic with the engine switched off, which can make a big difference. 

How much does it cost?

There are three trim levels – Active, Allure and GT – and prices kick off at £38,155 for the entry level trim with the hybrid setup, topping out at £42,850 for the diesel GT model. 

What about rivals?

The hybrid 5008 is probably the one that will draw most attention, at least until the sleek looking e-5008 arrives later in 2024 with its eye-catching 410 miles of range. So let’s look at some seven-seat rivals to the hybrid French car.

The Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid is fairly new out, and costs a whopping £51,885, while the Kia Sorento starts at £42,995. Both cars are evidence of the Korean stable upping its game in recent years, even as Peugeot itself has tried to shift itself a little more upmarket. Those cars have better developed hybrid systems than the 5008 and even come with plug-in hybrid options if you’re feeling fancy. The equally well built Skoda Kodiaq is also a new addition to the market, starting at £37,505 for a seven-seat PHEV version.

If that premium quality isn’t as big a factor, perhaps a tougher competitor for the 5008 is the Dacia Jogger hybrid, which starts at £22,995. The powertrain here feels similar to the Peugeot’s, even if the interior isn’t quite as nice. And if you wanted a more traditional MPV without any of the fancy tech then Volkswagen's Touran starts from £37,420.

The 5008 works much better as an SUV than it ever did as an MPV, and while it’s not a particularly fun car to drive, it does the business of getting people about the place decently well. 

Its interior is more interesting than you’ll find in most of its rivals, though that does come with the caveat that you should sit behind the wheel of one to see whether you’ll get on with the tiny steering wheel and digital dash setup. It splits the TG office clean down the middle and depends on your height and favoured driving position. 

There’s a binary choice of petrol or diesel powertrains available, and the new e-5008 is worth looking at, but the big Peugeot covers all the basics well.