Peugeot 5008 review - Engines, performance and drive

The Peugeot 5008 isn’t as sharp to drive as a Skoda Kodiaq, but this family SUV does deliver lots of comfort. Its softer suspension set-up and long wheelbase mean the car smothers worn tarmac and cattle grids with aplomb. This suppleness doesn’t come at the expense of body control because it keeps movements in check with a refined, fairly plush feel.

However, this suppleness has a downside, because the Peugeot leans over in corners more than rivals such as the SEAT Tarraco. The small steering wheel makes it easy to turn the 5008 too quickly and upset the car’s balance. Still, there’s a good level of grip, given the concessions to comfort.

There are two automatic gearboxes used in the 5008 range, and both are fine options. The eight-speed EAT8 used in the 1.2 PureTech and the 1.5 BlueHDi is a typical slushy automatic. It’s smooth, but doesn’t provide the quick changes of a dual-clutch equipped Kodiaq or Tarraco. The 1.2 Hybrid uses a dual-clutch, although an electric motor inside the gearbox allows it to power the car for short distances under electric power alone. Based on our experience with this engine in the smaller Peugeot 3008, it should be able to switch between electric and engine power without fuss at lower speeds.

There’s no four-wheel drive model, but some versions have ‘mud and snow’ rated tyres with Grip Control – effectively an advanced traction control system that can work on the driven wheels individually to maximise traction.

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Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed 

The 5008 engine line-up is similar to that in the 3008, with a 1.2 PureTech 130 petrol, a 134bhp 1.2 Hybrid, and a 1.5 BlueHDi 130 diesel.

A big, seven-seat SUV with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine might sound like a recipe for slow progress, but the unit’s turbocharger helps to deliver maximum torque of 230Nm from just 1,750rpm, which means the 5008 serves up some pretty decent performance. It’ll accelerate from 0-62mph in a reasonable 10.2 seconds. The extra power of the 134bhp 1.2-litre Hybrid can’t negate the extra 120kg of weight from the hybrid system and batteries, so it takes a little longer to complete the same sprint in 10.4 seconds.

Despite the 1.5 BlueHDi diesel having the same power as the 1.2 PureTech (128bhp) and a bit more torque at 300Nm, it’s the slowest of the 5008 range from 0-62mph, taking 11.8 seconds.