Peugeot-5008-SUV-Review-2018
Peugeot 5008 Review
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★★★★★
Quick Facts
Model spec: 5008, Allure, EAT6, THP 165 s/s Price: £30,995.00 Engine: 1.6-litre turbo, 4-cylinder petrol
BHP / Torque: 165 / 240 Max Speed: 128 CO2: 140g/km 0-62mph: 5.5 seconds
Economy/Range: 40mpg combined Tax: £140/year
Fashions change with time, time never reverses (as the movies would like to make you believe) and Jeremy Clarkson and James May dislike Peugeot. Maybe the Grand Tour duo would prefer it if Peugeot could somehow go back in time to a point when the company was known for its pepper grinders and bicycles. But time moves forward remember, and besides Peugeot do still make two wheels. You can spec your 5008 with a folding electric bike if you happen to be a millennial. So, the 5008 started out life in 2009 as an MPV because back then consumer research revealed that people wanted more MPVs. Several years later consumer research discovered a sharp u-turn in opinion, people now wanted SUVs. Remember, time moves forward it never reverse’s and to survive one must always, always follow the ever changing market. Peugeot did just that. As a result, it’s completely transformed, it’s full-on SUV very well proportioned from the front to rear and the distinctive exterior styling cues give the 5008 a significant edge compared to the more somber looking opposition. The interior also looks familiar, it essentially copy-paste 3008, which is no bad thing at all because it is the best-looking and best-made interior in its class by a huge margin. And it’s a big interior, seven seats big, although the third-row seats are really best used for children, when the second and third-row seats are folded down it opens up a massive loading bay, over 2100-litres massive. Hoarders will love the extra storage and cubbie-holes dotted around the cabin. Second-row seated passengers will find that the 5008 offers limited headspace if you are above 5ft11, however, the seats do slide and recline. Conversely, the extra length does make for more than enough room to kick-back and stretch your legs, almost limo style massive. Equipment levels are also massive with LED daytime running lights, heated electric door mirrors standard across the range, as is a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument binnacle which is complemented by an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system which features the usual DAB, smartphone connectivity etc. Sat/Nav is only standard from Allure trim onwards. The latest passive and active safety technology such as front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, Auto Emergency braking is also standard. Blind spot detection, Active lane keeping assistance, driver alert are standard, only from Allure trim onwards. Also included is an ambient lighting package, perfect mood lighting for those gluttonous passengers who can rest their super-sized portions of food the on folding rear trays mounted on the back shoulders of the front seats. The only real omission is that there is no 4×4 on offer at all, it’s front wheel drive all the way. Peugeot does offer Advanced Grip Control but this is, in essence, is a form of traction control. As with the 3008, the 5008 is available in 4 trim levels and has the same engine range, two petrol engines, and two diesel engines. The 5008 on test was fitted with the 4-cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. While I personally prefer the extra pulling power of a diesel engine the 1.6-litre petrol engine feels more civilized and easier to live with on a day to day basis. There is far less vibration, compared to a diesel, the engine revs smoothly and is barely audible which makes for a relaxing driving experience. You also get a choice of either a 6-speed manual and or 6-speed automatic, long geared for extra efficiency. With the 6-speed auto, the 5008 could manage around 40mpg on a combined cycle, dependent on driving style. The ride is a little on the firm side without causing any discomfort, in other words, its comfortable. The firm ride allows for fairly spritely handling, and when entering a corner body-roll is kept in check. The 5008 is well balanced which allows for the overall handling to be well mannered. Motoring journalists always talk about the feel of the steering, but what does this actually mean? The leather? What? It doesn’t mean much at all unless you drive a high-end sports car, for most everyday uses, modern-day electric steering systems are calibrated for efficiency so you don’t get much feel at all. And for an SUV I don’t necessarily want or require an epic steering experience, I just want to cruise and relax. So a comfortable ride and handling that doesn’t induce nauseousness are more important than nailing that apex to grab the headlines for the front cover of a print magazine. Prices for the 5008 start at £25k for the entry-level Active model, the Allure starts from £26k. The test vehicle had optional extras fitted, metallic paint (£525), Panoramic glass, sunroof (£470) and Advance Grip Control (870) boosted the price up to £30k.  Peugeot-5008-SUV-Review-2018
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