Stunning looking Peugeot 5008

Test Drive by Graham Breeze

If recollections of the first-generation Peugeot 5008 don’t send your pulses racing be prepared for a shock with the newly released 2018 model.

The traditional seven-seater MPV has been dispatched to the waste bin at Peugeot’s design centre to be replaced by a stunning looking competitor for such opponents as Nissan X-Trail, Volkswagen Tiguan and Renault Koleos in the SUV sector.

Its arrival comes hot on the heels of the successful 3008 and although it only went on sale in the UK in January the model has already been weighed down by awards from the experts in the motor industry.

Seven-seat flexibility was the previous model’s strength and Peugeot has been careful not to damage that advantage - in fact I’d have to say they’ve improved it, making full use of the extra 11cms length to ensure the back seated passengers don’t need to be midgets.

Available in Active, Allure, GT-Line or GT format the new 5008 has stand-out looks and is one of the best looking cars I have driven for a very long time – easily the best looking in SUV sector for me. I lost count of the number of people stopping to look at the sleek lines when parked on streets.

It comes with that premium feel that Peugeot has been striving for over recent years and with an entry price below £25,000 is more than just an attractive option. In fact it’s got the industry talking since being named SUV Of The Year by the leading trade press.

The 5008 features Peugeot’s brilliant i-Cockpit design with high level dials, a centre screen, high level dials and the small steering wheel which I particularly love. One pleasing point is that Peugeot has maintained some of the high-use switches, meaning you don’t have the distraction of searching for everything on screen.

Safety levels are high too, with standard-fit autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and driver attention warning system. You also get Peugeot Connect SOS and Assistance.

The 5008 Allure Blue HDi 120 Auto on test gets dark tinted rear side and tailgate windows, illuminated vanity mirrors, parking sensors, power folding door mirrors with blind spot detection and a 180% reversing camera – one of the best I’ve seen.

Inside the cabin blue ambient door lighting is impressive as are the leather and cloth finished seats while rear seat passengers get tray tables and window blinds to make the journey more comfortable.

There’s 3D connected navigation with live updates along with voice recognition for radio, navigation and telephone features.

Outwardly the Allure gets a good looking front bumper scuff plate, black and chrome front wing trims and 18” five-spoke alloys.

£17,030 will get you the base model while the test car had £2,000 worth of extra bits such as metallic paint, black diamond roof, smartphone charging point, electric tailgate, keyless opening and adaptive cruise control which added another £2,000 to the bill.

The 1.6litre diesel engine was linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox and produced combined fuel figures of close to 60mpg with a top speed of 113mph and 0-62mph in 12.8 seconds with CO2 levels at 108g/km.

Seven-seat flexibility is key to being successful in this sector and the 5008 scores highly with a multitude of seating combinations and even the front passenger seat folding to make an additional table when needed.

In seven-seat mode there’s only room for a small amount of luggage or a small set of golf clubs behind the rear seats but with the back seats down the loading space is enormous at 1,060 litres.

The all-new 5008 SUV offers a new perspective with a sophisticated style, an unexpectedly agile driving experience, is more practical than its predecessor and is set to be a huge success for Peugeot.