What is it?

The Peugeot 5008 is the third SUV launched by Peugeot in 18 months. It follows the multi-award-winning 3008, as Peugeot continues its offensive to move more up-market. We try the Peugeot 5008 GT Line BlueHDi 150.

The 5008 proved to be well-balanced, favourably mixing style, respectable performance and unparalleled standard safety. Of the Active, Allure, GT and GT Line variants, the nose styling is accented differently.

Allure by name, alluring by nature, yet the GT and GT Line’s deeper grille, sharper headlight lines and use of LEDs for the fog lights make for a more attractive design choice. When it comes to business though, it’s not all about looks, right? Here’s what works and what doesn’t in the Peugeot 5008.

What’s hot

• When it comes to engines and CO2 emissions, the Puretec betters the diesel by only 1g/km CO2. Coupled with a range of 50-62mpg, the 5008 is competitive with other C-segment rivals, like Nissan’s X-Trail, Skoda Kodiaq and Renault Koleos.
• The drudgery of the concrete commute is livened with the 5008 GTLine’s sport mode. Heavier steering, more dynamic suspension and a punchier throttle response offers drivers a chance to shake off the parental sensibilities, post-school run, and have a little fun.

• The piano key-style switchgear of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit is unexpectedly practical. Buttons that stand so proud make toggling between menus on the display is easy, even in the dark… and they look great.

• There’s also voice control and the smartphone mirroring suite – Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink – offering the widest choice of compatibility, ensuring executives stay connected and productive while on the road.
• Though smartphones can be connected via conventional Bluetooth, tethering with a USB cable will not only give you access to more apps while on the move, but will also help maintain a charged battery – crucial for business continuity. Magnetic tray tables and additional 12V ports in the rear can be furnished with USB accessories to keep everyone in the back happy too.
• Spacious is something of an understatement. Three full middle row seats accommodate three full child seats, if needs be, and the additional two seats in the rear can be used to take more passengers, or removed to take boot capacity to 1,060 litres.
• Thoughtful touches like the flip-out boot floor helps protect slacks from dirty bumpers and all rows fold flat, including the front seat, to offer over three metres of length – something that might pique the interest of trades drivers.
• Peugeot has focused on offering a sensory experience, i-Cockpit Amplify, which at the time of presentation seemed a little gimmicky. However, the choice of scents, music and an optional massage seat driver-side in “relax” mode are worth the test drive alone. If all stressed commuters had access to such features, perhaps life on the road would be significantly less fraught!

What’s not

• • The jury is still out on the i-Cockpit’s key combination of a smaller steering wheel, digital head up display/cluster and driver-centric tilted centre display. The two latter are really rather impressive, with improved touch response, stylish motion graphics and easy-to-use steering controls. However the smaller steering wheel is, well, small and it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, particularly if a vehicle is shared.
  • The cruise control and speed limiter sticks are tucked away behind the tiny steering wheel and yet still totally obscured. The 5008’s adaptive cruise control is a main event for business users, helping to reduce speeding penalties and driver fatigue. Steering wheel positioning would have been preferable in this instance.
  • There is no denying that Peugeot has done an outstanding job of packing several cutting-edge ADAS features into the 5008 – Distant Alert, Lane Departure and Lane Keep Assist, Speed Sign Recognition and Blind Spot Monitoring, to name just a few. In the case of Driver Attention Alert, the car responded well. However, some of the ADAS features were a little laggy or, in the case of Park Assist, totally unresponsive. Though this technology is in its infancy (and as such should be judged as a toddler rather than an adult), the only saving grace is that much of it comes as standard and in the case of safety, sometimes it’s better late than never.

Verdict on the Peugeot 5008 GT Line BlueHDi 150

The affordable sub-£32,000 price tag of a top-spec 5008 make it a valid choice for a niche group of business users. That’s not to say this seven-seater “MPV in disguise” isn’t versatile.

On the contrary, the 5008 is a practical and roomy SUV, with broad safety, technology and driving capabilities – perfect for personal and professional use. For company car managers, this presents a great choice for employees and would suggest wide take up.

Yet, this vehicle is going to be overkill for anyone that doesn’t a) ferry around plenty of family en route to a job requiring stacks of equipment, b) drive endless miles in the name of business, or c) have some extreme sports passion for which roof racks do not suffice.