Peugeot’s first effort at a compact, chunky MPV hits the right spot in Scotland. The new Peugeot 5008 is a compact 7-seater people carrier, which not only looks great but is the company’s first attempt at an MPV. Renault has led the market for 20-plus years with its Espace model, but the 5008 shows that Peugeot can compete.
The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) awarded the new 5008 as ‘Scottish MPV of the Year’, which is a great accolade and worthy of the spacious car. Although the 5008 was launched in 2009, it has since received a revamp and a new face, which ultimately give it a more pleasant look.
The engine line-up remains the same; the fairly gutless 1.6 diesel manages 53mpg but is very slow. A better choice is the 2.0HDi diesel, which is just as economical but its 0-60mph (10 seconds) time isn’t measured with a calendar.
Peugeot 5008 - 7 Seater Car MPV
Peugeot has really upped its game in the family-car market: its 407 is a suave beast; the new RCZ is a brave, sporty racer; the 308 is a chunky, fun city car; the 208 is a great supermini; and now the 5008, which is a perfect addition as a 7 seater.
The 5008 is a good choice for buyers who are looking for a large vehicle that can carry kids without hassle but that doesn’t break the bank. Servicing is recommended every 20,000 miles. It is good on fuel and as it is in insurance group 11, it really is an affordable MPV.
The Peugeot 5008 is a very safe car; it has passed the latest EuroNCAP protection test, receiving a maximum of five-stars in the progress. The 5008 is also a pleasant place to be inside. The cockpit is almost spaceship-like with its head-up display (HUD), meaning the driver doesn’t have to take his or her eyes off the road to see their speed. There are optional leather seats, high quality plastics and a easy to use dashboard. None of the controls are in any weird places – they are all close to hand and perfectly designed.
For those families who like to splurge on their vehicles, the top of the range 5008 Exclusive model comes with a Cielo panoramic glass roof. For those long journeys, cross-continental jaunts or simply a trip to the beach, having the sky visible through the roof is a very cool thing indeed. It also adds more light to the cabin, which makes it feel bigger inside than the regular roofed model.
For a large family car with seven seats that doesn’t look like a mini-bus, the Peugeot 5008 manages to hit all the right notes. A good, strong diesel engine (2.0HDi), a funky look and a plush interior make it top of the pile for MPVs. No doubt Citroen, Ford, Renault and VW are sending the design teams over to gain some tips.
