Similar in design to the smaller 2008 and 3008 SUVs, the 5008 is the French brand’s new flagship model, and Autodealer discovered just how refined and comfortable this SUV is when the entry-level 1.6-litre turbopetrol (121kW at 6,000rpm and 240Nm at 1,400rpm and mated to a six-speed auto) in Allure guise, pulled into our offices.
From any angle the 5008 looks sleek and compact and you would never guess that it can hold seven passengers. It’s only when you get into it that you see how practical and functional the cabin is. There are three individually-adjustable seats in the second row that offer five different angles of inclination and there are two seats in the third-row that fold flat into the boot floor. When you fold the front passenger seat flat, items up to 3.2 metres in length can be loaded.
The simplicity of altering and folding the seats down is child’s play with use of controls from the outside or from the boot. In just one movement, the second-row side seats tilt and slide forward to allow for easy third-row entry. But, like most 7-seaters, this area is more suitable for smaller passengers and I found the third-row seats well cushioned and parents will be happy to know that all seats feature three-point Isofix anchor points for children’s car seats.
When not needed the third-row seats are also easy to fold flat for a perfectly flat surfaced big boot. I must mention that these seats only weigh about 11 kilograms each and I could easily remove them, plus the floor cover, which can always be a hassle to store when third-row seats are erected, folds up and stores neatly in the boot.
A standard feature that I came to enjoy, as I have not experienced it too often, was the hands-free smart electric tailgate that you activate by placing your foot under the rear bumper. This tailgate is big so luckily my carport gates were open when I activated it otherwise that could have been rather comical. You certainly need a metre plus clearing at the back of the vehicle before opening the tailgate and you can also open it with the key fob. However, with the solidness of the tailgate and sturdiness of the hydraulic hinges, the tailgate does take longer to open or close than if you were doing it manually, but I did like the automatic locking option when closing.
To complement the sheer exterior styling, the 5008 has its own unique Peugeot design elements within the cabin, like a unique compact steering wheel that is light and accurate to manoeuvre the seven-seater around with ease. This smaller steering wheel also does not obstruct the new high-resolution digital dials that clearly display different driving modes and relevant driver information, which can be selected from the steering fingertip controls, and includes on-board navigation, lane departure warning, driver attention warning, speed sign recognition and speed suggestion, cruise control, front collision warning, smartbeam assistance, and active blind spot monitoring.
Within the new i-Cockpit cabin, the sleek infotainment touch screen is not overloaded with unnecessary functions and is quick to navigate and use. There are separate switches – elegantly finished in satin chrome, that allow you to easily access the radio, air conditioning, sat nav, vehicle settings, telephone, apps, and hazard lights as well.
Permanent connectivity to your phone is also possible with the mirror screen function that displays a copy of your smartphone screen to the vehicle’s touchscreen, making for easy app access. This system is compatible with MirrorLink (Android), Android Auto, and Apple Carplay (iPhone 5 and later).
The one comfort and convenient feature that I have always appreciated from Peugeot and Citroën is the fragrance diffuser. With the 5008 you get three fragrance choices, all developed with Scentys and Antoine Lie an international perfumer. Cosmic Cuir, the brand’s sensual, vibrant signature perfume, was my choice to enlighten my senses.
You can also zhoosh up the atmosphere in the cabin with the two sensory modes – Boost for energetic driving and Relax for a calmer experience. Depending on the mode chosen, changes are made accordingly to the display screen, cabin lighting, music acoustics and the perfume diffuser’s intensity and fragrance. Both modes can also be fully customised and Peugeot says this helps accentuate the pleasure of the driver and passengers alike, for a unique, unforgettable on-board experience.
Of European descent, the 5008 naturally comes standard with a full host of active and passive safety features. Although Autodealer was testing the entry-level derivative, it too is loaded with about 90 percent of the features found on the higher priced models.
A few of the stand out points for me were, excellent sound insulation, the number of comfort features included in the price, the refined cabin and its smooth driving delivery. Peugeot claims an urban consumption figure of 9.8 and we achieved a commendable 9.9l/100km.
On open roads I did find the power plant slightly sluggish at times to get the 5008 up to speed, but there are also steering paddles to help it along. If you are in the market for a luxury seven-seater SUV and do a lot of cruising, the bigger 2.0 derivative may be a better choice, otherwise this model demonstrated great poise and versatility as a family vehicle.
Our test model sells from R534,900 and includes Peugeot Pride: A five-year/100,000km comprehensive warranty; five-year/100,000km comprehensive service plan; and, Customer Support: roadside assistance, 24-hour customer contact center, license renewal reminder, service plan and warranty expiry notifications.
