A few years ago, the French caused quite a stir with the arrival of the new Peugeot 3008 and 5008. Models that evolved from the modern minivans of the early 2000s into the far more popular and desirable SUV segment.
What attracted attention most was their striking design and the noticeably improved sense of quality. There were also critical voices, mainly about the lack of all-wheel drive. After all, what kind of SUV doesn’t offer 4×4? In the end, that didn’t stop the models from becoming a success, clearly illustrating the real priorities of modern SUV buyers.
Now it’s time to take a closer look at the most spacious car in Peugeot’s range – the 5008.
Design
The facelifted model is easiest to recognise from the front. When I first saw the official photos, I wasn’t entirely convinced – mainly because of the unusual front grille. Grilles have become quite a controversial topic lately.
Over time, however, my opinion improved.
The front of the 5008 now looks more modern, and the integration of Peugeot’s new design language works very well. The grille itself is actually quite interesting, creating a sense of visual depth. I also appreciate the reduction of chrome elements, which gives the car a more European appearance.
The rest of the 5008 hasn’t changed significantly, and frankly it didn’t need to. The car still has a distinctive presence. The body is long and quite boxy, with particularly long rear doors and a sharply cut rear end. These details clearly signal that interior space is the priority.
The rear design is clean and simple, with the characteristic dark light strip connecting the taillights. The only element I truly dislike is the rectangular fake exhaust outlets. The real exhaust sits hidden under the bumper.
Personally, the 5008 still looks more like a van than an SUV. But the design elements that give it a more muscular appearance are obvious, and they successfully transform it into an SUV in the eyes of most buyers. In the end, what matters is that the result is attractive and very much in line with current trends.
Interior
The 5008 adopts Peugeot’s now-familiar avant-garde interior layout, with a high-mounted instrument cluster and the small two-spoke steering wheel positioned below it. The central console features the signature “piano key” buttons, providing shortcuts to frequently used functions.
The centre console itself is slightly angled toward the driver. Together with the recessed area containing the gear selector and driving-mode controls, it creates the feeling of a focused, almost sporty cockpit. In truth, that character doesn’t entirely match the drivetrain options or the purpose of the car, but it still creates a pleasant atmosphere.
In this high GT trim, materials and build quality approach traditional premium territory. I particularly like the decorative trim covered in light grey Alcantara. The contrast with the seats is pleasing, and the texture creates a cosy ambience while diffusing the ambient lighting beautifully at night.
The infotainment system features a generously sized touchscreen positioned high on the dashboard. It isn’t the most intuitive system, but it works well enough once you get used to it. Physical shortcut buttons help. Apple CarPlay works flawlessly, which unfortunately cannot be said about every car – and not only in the mainstream segment.
I was slightly surprised that the digital instrument cluster doesn’t feature the 3D technology introduced in the Peugeot 208. I expected the facelift to bring it here as well. Even without it, the display remains clear and configurable.
One particularly interesting feature is the optional night-vision system with an infrared camera (around €1,200), though it wasn’t fitted to the test car. This technology is rare in this segment, and Peugeot deserves credit for offering it. Considering how often cyclists without lights or careless pedestrians appear on dark country roads, the benefits could be significant.
But the real essence of the 5008 lies elsewhere. This is a people carrier – the most spacious model in Peugeot’s range, even though the Peugeot 508 SW is about 14 cm longer.
The van DNA is unmistakable. The second row consists of three individual seats with a flat floor, and the backs of the front seats feature fold-out tables that attach magnetically.
Space in the second row is excellent. Large windows, dedicated rear air vents with fan-speed control, window blinds and the folding tables make it an inviting place for long journeys. I can easily imagine even a pair of grumpy teenagers being satisfied back there.
Behind the second row sits a large, well-shaped boot. From the floor emerge two additional seats, turning the 5008 into a seven-seater.
Interestingly, the third row can accommodate adults on medium-length journeys. Slide the second-row seats forward and it becomes surprisingly usable. My knees didn’t touch the seat ahead, there was still some headroom, and I could place my feet under the seat in front. The only compromise is the slightly low seating position.
Overall, the cabin combines clever practicality, avant-garde design and solid build quality. The driving position might not suit everyone, but that comes down to personal preference.
On the Road
The test car features the most powerful diesel option – a 2.0-litre engine producing 180 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 9.2 seconds, and average fuel consumption is rated at around 6.0 l/100 km.
My meeting with the 5008 began somewhat hurriedly outside Peugeot’s Sofia showroom, as I wanted to beat the Friday traffic. I quickly found a comfortable seating position, connected my phone via Apple CarPlay without any issues, and soon found myself on the Hemus motorway.
In GT trim, the 5008 comes standard with adaptive cruise control, which proved capable even when dealing with drivers performing unexpected manoeuvres without using mirrors or indicators.
On the motorway, the car offers decent comfort and good sound insulation. Aerodynamic noise is impressively low. Road and engine noise could be slightly better isolated, but overall the experience remains pleasant and suitable for long journeys.
The 5008 behaves confidently at speed. The transverse bumps typical of the Hemus motorway shake the body slightly but never compromise stability or require major steering corrections.
At the end of the motorway stretch, my average speed was 123 km/h with fuel consumption of 7.1 l/100 km – quite respectable.
Things became more interesting once the motorway ended and the heavy traffic toward Veliko Tarnovo began. Long convoys of more than fifty cars formed behind slow trucks whose drivers seemed unwilling to let anyone pass.
Here the 2.0-litre diesel proved well suited to the car. Overtaking performance felt strong enough that I initially assumed the car accelerated about a second faster to 100 km/h than it actually does. That says a lot about the engine–gearbox combination and the car’s ability to build speed confidently when needed.
Even with heavy traffic and frequent full-throttle overtakes, the stretch from the end of the motorway to Veliko Tarnovo returned an average consumption of 5.9 l/100 km.
Later I moved onto smaller secondary roads, some in terrible condition and others surprisingly good. Poor surfaces showed that the 5008 handles bumps and potholes well, making it one of the more comfortable cars in its class. Still, the Peugeot 508 with adaptive suspension remains noticeably more comfortable – a feature unfortunately unavailable on the taller 5008.
At one point the car even warned me to keep my hands on the wheel – apparently my slalom around potholes confused the driver-assistance systems.
Eventually I reached a beautifully resurfaced road near Kapinovo. Normally a roadster would be more appropriate here, but it offered a good opportunity to test whether the family-focused 5008 could deliver some driving enjoyment.
Sport mode engaged, throttle pressed.
After two corners it became obvious that spirited driving isn’t the car’s natural habitat. With passengers in all three rows, motion sickness would likely appear quickly. Comfort-oriented suspension leads to noticeable body roll, though grip remains strong and understeer appears relatively late.
The steering is better than expected, offering decent feedback, but ultimately the 5008 is not a sporty SUV. With some determination it can move briskly, but anyone seeking a genuinely sporty SUV should look elsewhere.
As for off-road ability, the available snow, mud and sand modes – along with hill descent control – feel somewhat unnecessary. With only front-wheel drive and moderate ground clearance, the 5008 is best suited to light gravel roads.
Conclusion
The facelift strengthens one of the 5008’s strongest qualities – its design. Fortunately, that design is backed by real substance.
The car’s biggest strengths are its interior space, practicality and pleasant cabin atmosphere enhanced by quality materials. The seven-seat configuration also allows businesses to reclaim VAT in certain markets, adding another practical advantage.
The 5008 comes very close to traditional premium offerings. Where it falls short is drivetrain choice – most engines are rather modest, and only the 180 hp versions (diesel or petrol) provide truly adequate performance.
If you don’t need the seven seats or the additional interior space but still appreciate Peugeot’s style, I would recommend looking beyond the SUV trend and considering the Peugeot 508 SW. There you’ll find better comfort, more engaging driving dynamics and a lower price.
Eng. Tsvetan Iliev
