Peugeot 5008A few years back probably the last thing you’d have expected from an MPV was enjoyment in driving the thing. But with their new MPV, the 5008, Peugeot reckon that even this elusive quality is within an owner’s grasp. And despite the official designation of ‘compact MPV’, the 5008 is actually not that small: the length of 4529mm puts it between a Focus and a Mondeo, and of course a whole lot taller than either of them.With the 5008 Peugeot is re-introducing one of its most famous series of vehicles – the ‘5’. Previous models have included the 504 and the much-loved 505 family estate, the fame of which largely rested in its ability to carry seven people. Peugeot is hoping for an equally favourable reception to its new ‘5’.Although Europe sees both 5- and 7-seat versions of the 5008, here in the UK all models of the new car have seven seats. The back two can be folded into the floor, so when they’re not in use the boot length is at least a metre, which gives a volume of 830 litres, which is 29 cubic feet, which is over a cubic yard, which is quite a lot. These two seats fold up or down easily, and look comfortable for wee people.The three seats in the centre row are equipped with two seat back tilt positions; they can be individually slid fore/aft and, like those behind, folded flat into the floor, so with all five folded you’ve got massive capacity, or possibly a double bed. Seated in the centre row, you’ll probably want the front seat occupants to move forward a bit, because even with your seat fully slid back, there’s not room for long legs behind an equally long-legged driver.Engines number five – two petrol and three diesel. Our test machine was fitted with the lowest powered diesel, the HDi 110PS, and with this one you can have manual or ‘automatic manual’ transmission, which ours had. Peugeot call it EGC (Electronic Gearbox Controlled) manual, and because it utilises a normal clutch, like a manual gearbox, there’s no penalty to be paid in terms of increased fuel consumption; indeed the official figures for CO2 and mpg are actually better than those of the manual version. The EGC does all the clutch work itself, but changes are not that smooth, especially if you’re in a hurry, and there are some inevitable delays in power delivery as the system changes gear. You can do the changes yourself, with steering paddles or the sequential gear lever, but it doesn’t improve things much. I’d be inclined to go for the manual version and save the £500. Petrol models are only available with manual boxes, but the larger diesel can be manual or conventional auto.They’re not far off with their claim for driving pleasure. Admittedly our 110PS diesel didn’t set the tarmac on fire, but in the right gear (much easier with a manual box) it cruises along well enough to keep up with all the traffic. Ride is well thought out, for although it feels the manifold bumps and hollows with which our roads are heavily littered, there’s not much vertical movement, and roll is virtually absent on the bends. Driving position is high, as ever with an MPV, but there are copious seat and wheel adjustments to make life comfortable for just about any driver shape. Vision out is mostly good, but the thick B-pillars can be obstructive when parking, or edging out into traffic. Peugeot see the 5008 as the ideal MPV for those who can’t be doing with a 3008 on account of it seating only five. That can’t be too many families, but there will be those for whom such capacity makes sense for the netball team or whatever. The car has some unusual features, notably the roof on the top models – big and glassy, and the handbrake – electric. Behind what is a large, steeply raked windscreen, the roof of Exclusive models (and for £350 the Sport too) is largely glass…..well 1.69 square metres of it anyway. That makes for a very light interior, and was universally appreciated by passengers in ours. The electric handbrake – standard on all models – is surprisingly easy to live with, and once you’re used to the idea of not having to bother with putting it on or taking it off (the system does all that for you) it does actually seem sensible. There’s an override control if you need it, and the standard ‘hill holder’ system should take care of those awkward hill starts.Size:4.53m x 2.12m (inc mirrors)Engines: Petrol: 1.6 litres – 120 & 156PSDiesel: 1.6 litres – 110PS 2.0 litres – 150PS (manual) & 163PS (auto)Gearbox:5/6-speed manual/6-spd auto FWDBest Consumption:1.6 diesel auto – 55.4mpgPrice at May ’10:£17,495 to £24,295Full details of the Peugeot 5008 range available on the manufacturer’s website: www.peugeot.co.ukPeter Cracknell - May 2010
Peugeot 5008
A few years back probably the last thing you’d have
expected from an MPV was enjoyment in driving the
thing. But with their new MPV, the 5008, Peugeot
reckon that even this elusive quality is within an
owner’s grasp. And despite the official designation of
‘compact MPV’, the 5008 is actually not that small:
the length of 4529mm puts it between a Focus and a
Mondeo, and of course a whole lot taller than either
of them.
With the 5008 Peugeot is re-introducing one of its
most famous series of vehicles – the ‘5’. Previous
models have
included the 504
and the much-loved
505 family estate,
the fame of which
largely rested in its
ability to carry seven
people. Peugeot is
hoping for an
equally favourable
reception to its new
‘5’.
Although Europe
sees both 5- and 7-
seat versions of the
5008, here in the UK
all models of the
new car have seven
seats. The back two
can be folded into
the floor, so when
they’re not in use
the boot length is at least a metre, which gives a
volume of 830 litres, which is 29 cubic feet, which is
over a cubic yard, which is quite a lot. These two
seats fold up or down easily, and look comfortable for
wee people.
The three seats in the centre row are equipped with
two seat back tilt positions; they can be individually
slid fore/aft and, like those behind, folded flat into the
floor, so with all five folded you’ve got massive
capacity, or possibly a double bed. Seated in the
centre row, you’ll probably want the front seat
occupants to move forward a bit, because even with
your seat fully slid back, there’s not room for long
legs behind an equally long-legged driver.
Engines number five – two petrol and three diesel.
Our test machine was fitted with the lowest powered
diesel, the HDi 110PS, and with this one you can
have manual or ‘automatic manual’ transmission,
which ours had. Peugeot call it EGC (Electronic
Gearbox Controlled) manual, and because it utilises
a normal clutch, like a manual gearbox, there’s no
penalty to be paid in terms of increased fuel
consumption; indeed the official figures for CO2 and
mpg are actually better than those of the manual
version. The EGC does all the clutch work itself, but
changes are not that smooth, especially if you’re in a
hurry, and there are some inevitable delays in power
delivery as the system changes gear. You can do the
changes yourself, with steering paddles or the
sequential gear lever, but it doesn’t improve things
much. I’d be inclined to go for the manual version
and save the £500. Petrol models are only available
with manual boxes, but the larger diesel can be
manual or conventional auto.
They’re not far off with their claim for driving
pleasure. Admittedly our 110PS diesel didn’t set the
tarmac on fire, but in the right gear (much easier with a
manual box) it cruises along well enough to keep up
with all the traffic. Ride is well thought out, for although
it feels the manifold bumps and hollows with which our
roads are heavily littered, there’s not much vertical
movement, and roll is virtually absent on the bends.
Driving position is high, as ever with an MPV, but there
are copious seat and wheel adjustments to make life
comfortable for just about any driver shape. Vision out
is mostly good, but the thick B-pillars can be
obstructive when parking, or edging out into traffic.
Peugeot see the
5008 as the ideal
MPV for those
who can’t be
doing with a 3008
on account of it
seating only five.
That can’t be too
many families, but
there will be those
for whom such
capacity makes
sense for the
netball team or
whatever. The car
has some unusual
features, notably
the roof on the top
models – big and
glassy, and the
handbrake –
electric. Behind what is a large, steeply raked
windscreen, the roof of Exclusive models (and for
£350 the Sport too) is largely glass…..well 1.69 square
metres of it anyway. That makes for a very light
interior, and was universally appreciated by
passengers in ours. The electric handbrake – standard
on all models – is surprisingly easy to live with, and
once you’re used to the idea of not having to bother
with putting it on or taking it off (the system does all
that for you) it does actually seem sensible. There’s an
override control if you need it, and the standard ‘hill
holder’ system should take care of those awkward hill
starts.
Size:
4.53m x 2.12m (inc mirrors)
Engines:
Petrol: 1.6 litres – 120 & 156PS
Diesel: 1.6 litres – 110PS
2.0 litres – 150PS (manual)
& 163PS (auto)
Gearbox:
5/6-speed manual/6-spd auto FWD
Best Consumption:
1.6 diesel auto – 55.4mpg
Price at May ’10:
£17,495 to £24,295
Full details of the Peugeot 5008 range available on the
manufacturer’s website: www.peugeot.co.uk
Peter Cracknell - May 2010
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