What Do We Have?
Peugeot has been slow to monopolise the key markets over the last decade. They were late to the 4×4 market and their foray into the MPV market has hardly been headline news. It took them a long time to catch up. Suddenly they are the best thing winning accolade after accolade for their SUV range badged the -008’s
Here we have the 5008 Allure. And what can l say about it that hasn’t already been said? How about l don’t like it. I joke because there really is a lot to be said about this particular 5008 model. It is the better selling model of the range and it leaves you wanting nothing, give or take a few personal options.
DRIVING
This really is true to form for the French company. Bucking the trend on the important Teutonic ride, Peugeot has opted for smooth sophistication and softer hues of damping. It makes for a pleasant car to mile munch just so long as you don’t want to rush about too much. The ride isn’t set to stun in the corners. I’ll grant you that it will hold on well in fast sweeping corners and you will back off before the handling becomes messy due to the body roll angles achievable. However, if you decide to throw the 5008 into a corner, it’ll protest first through the squeal of the tyres.
ON THE INSIDE
This time Peugeot really do have the dominant Germans on the run. It’s first class in tactility. Solid chunks of rubber are everywhere. It makes for a rattle free interior and gives a reassuring thud to the close of the doors. I don’t want to rave about the interior too much because the i-cockpit in the 5008 is more or less the same as in the 3008 and I am no fan of shared layouts through different ranges. The Allure has a fabric inset into the doors and dashboard and it adds layers and textures that other manufacturers are yet to match.
What doesn’t work is the dullness for your rear passengers. For all the joy of the neon lights set into the dashboard and doors, there is absolutely nothing for those in the rear. Even the heater controls lack illumination. What they get given instead is a glare from the neon optics set into the panoramic glass roof. This is the 5008’s biggest failing which itself is ironic considering this is designed to carry people.
OWNING
The 5008 is a great car and the accolades levied on it by the motoring press the world over are telling you no lies about how good the car is. The Allure model we tested with the 1200cc 130bhp engine piloted me around in comfort and with great economy. The trick the 5008 has is its extra 2 seats in the boot. Admittedly they are not well suited for adults but they are comfortable to sit in and strangely they are given map reading lights as a goodwill gesture over the missing leg room. They also have a 12v socket and a cubby hole storage unit.
VERDICT
I like the 5008. It’s an easy car to live with and comes loaded with toys. The standard 360-degree parking camera system is one of the best and most accurate I’ve tried even if the screen graphics are not quite HD ready. The Allure starts at £28,215. As tested it is £33980. For that, I’d leave out some of the options and instead make an already good value car even better value.
Love
Quality feel
Soft ride
Price
Loathe
Lack of integrity in the rear
Some options pricy
Infotainment system sometimes slow to respond
The Lowdown
Car – Peugeot 5008 Allure PureTech 130
Price – £33,980 (as tested)
MPG – 54.3 mpg (combined)
Power – 0-62mph – 10.4 seconds
Top Speed – 117 mph
Co2 – 120 (g/km)