Peugeot 5008 review: Is this the most stylish seven-seater?

Join us as we take a closer look at the Peugeot 5008, the stylish French SUV with seven seats as standard

When the Peugeot 5008 rolled into Carparison HQ, jaws dropped as we realised it's a seven-seater.

Because, yes, it looks big. But it doesn't look like the bulky, bulbous seven-seaters of years gone by.

The 5008 is Peugeot's largest SUV, and every model comes with seven seats as standard. Now in its third generation, it's taken a different path from its 3008 sibling.

Where the 3008 has gone for a sloping, coupé-style roofline, the 5008 keeps a squarer shape to make the most of every inch of cabin space.

There are three powertrains to choose from: The 145hp hybrid we drove, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with up to 55 miles of electric range (WLTP Comb), and the fully electric E-5008, which has its own dedicated review.

What surprised us most, though, is how much it feels like a throwback family car in the best possible way. A sunglasses holder in the roof, built-in sunshades and a seatbelt that drops down from the ceiling are all nostalgic touches, wrapped in a design that's packed with French flair.

So, can a stylish French SUV also be a genuinely practical family workhorse? Or is that third row just for show?

We took it for a spin to find out.

What we drove

• Model: Peugeot 5008 GT Hybrid 145 e-DSC6 Auto
• Body style: SUV
• Power: Hybrid (145 hp)
• Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol
• Gearbox: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
• Fuel economy: Up to 52.5mpg (combined)
• Acceleration: 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds
• Seats: Seven
• Colour: Nera Black
• Euro NCAP: Four stars

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Robust, refined and ready for the school run

At 4,791mm long and 1,895mm wide, the 5008 is the largest Peugeot you can buy.

It wears its size well, though. It's robust without ever feeling bulky.

Unlike the 3008, the 5008 keeps a boxier, more upright roofline, which means the third row gets proper headroom. It also keeps the rear wiper, something the 3008 goes without.

Up front, Peugeot's signature claw-style daytime running lights slash down the bumper, flanked by ultra-thin Pixel LED headlamps on GT trim. The aerodynamic floating spoiler and Aerotech wheels look the part and help with efficiency too.

Our Nera Black finish gives it a sleek, slightly stealthy look that suits those sharp lines perfectly.

It's got school-gate kerb appeal: A seven-seater you'll be proud to pull up in.

A modern cabin with throwback family charm

Step inside and the Panoramic i-Cockpit steals the show. It's a curved 21-inch display that's actually two screens under one panel, with the driver's display on the right and infotainment on the left.

Below it sits the i-Toggles touch bar, which makes everyday controls easy and intuitive to use. You can customise the shortcuts too.

The infotainment itself can be a little laggy, though, and some of the menus have one layer too many.

The materials feel genuinely premium, with a fabric-covered dash, soft-touch surfaces and reassuringly solid switches. It's a cabin that wouldn't look out of place in a premium German SUV.

The light grey fabric looks luxurious, but mix light colours with kids and things could get mucky fast.

Manual seat adjustment on GT trim is a bit of a letdown too.

Then there are the features that give it a real nostalgic feel. There's a sunglasses holder in the roof, just like the family cars of old, and the middle seat's seatbelt comes down from the ceiling.

The 5008 has family life built into its very being too.

Built-in sunshades for the rear windows? No more kids complaining the sun is in their eyes.

Climbing into the third row is no struggle either. The middle row doesn't just fold forwards, it slides too.

And those rear seats aren't just for show. Our Beth (who's 5ft 9") sits back there with ease, with no squeezing required. Plus, it's likely to be much smaller passengers back there most of the time anyway.

One disappointment: The old 5008 had three ISOFIX points across the middle row, while the new one only has two. That takes away some of its family practicality.

On the tech front, you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. PEUGEOT Connect PLUS adds a ChatGPT-enhanced voice assistant too, though it's only included for six months before becoming an optional paid add-on.

The boot comes in at 348 litres with all seven seats up, 916 litres in five-seat mode, and up to 2,232 litres in a two-seat configuration.

Van-like practicality with a family-friendly finish? What more could you want?

Big car, small-car feel

Put your foot down and the 5008 is more responsive than you'd expect from something this size.

It doesn't feel huge to drive either, which makes it far less intimidating than its dimensions suggest.

When manoeuvring, though, you do feel the length. Reversing out of a narrow parking space is a mission. 1,000-point turn, anyone?

The steering is light, which is great around town. Take it onto winding country lanes, though, and it feels a little too light to inspire real confidence.

On the dual carriageway it's smooth and settled, with seamless gear changes. It is a bit loud, though. The three-cylinder engine gets gruff when worked hard, so don't be alarmed when tackling hills.

The hybrid can also feel a little stretched when fully loaded with seven passengers or a boot full of luggage.

The speed limit recognition isn't always accurate either. It shows us 60mph on a 70mph dual carriageway. Thankfully, it isn't intrusive. There's no constant beeping like in some cars, just a quiet display reminding you to keep to the limit.

Adaptive cruise control comes as standard on GT trim, making motorway miles a breeze.

Ride comfort is a real strength. It soaks up bumps with ease and is softer than both the Hyundai Santa Fe and SKODA Kodiaq. That's high praise.

It's a cruiser, not a corner-carver. But for families after seven seats and van-like practicality, the 5008 makes a strong case.

Self-charging efficiency for big family miles

The Peugeot 5008 Hybrid is self-charging, so there are no plugs and no charging to think about. Instead, its small battery works in unison with the petrol engine to eke out extra miles.

It simply recharges as you drive, with regenerative braking clawing back a little extra energy every time you slow down.

Official fuel economy sits between 44.6 and 52.5mpg. In the real world, it returns 40-50mpg, which is impressively close to the official figures.

Peugeot makes a bold claim too: In town, more than 50% of driving time is on electric power.

Want a greener option? The PHEV offers up to 55 miles of electric range (WLTP Comb) and 82.2-122.8mpg combined. It charges in as little as 2 hours 55 minutes, or 5 hours 15 minutes, depending on the charger.

Got a home charger? The PHEV is the one to go for. No home charger? Stick with the hybrid.

Safety and warranties

The Peugeot 5008 has a four-star Euro NCAP rating (2025):

• Adult occupant: 80%
• Child occupant: 85%
• Vulnerable road users: 79%
• Safety assist: 62%

Four stars is slightly disappointing for a family car, but this score is largely because some driver-assist tech doesn’t come as standard.

Standard safety kit include:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane-keeping assist
• Driver attention alert
• Traffic sign recognition
• Airbags across all three rows
• Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
• GT trim adds front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control

Want more? The optional 360 Vision and Drive Assist pack adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera.

You also get SOS and Assistance through PEUGEOT Connect ONE, included for 10 years.

When it comes to warranty, the 5008 comes with three years or 60,000 miles of cover, with unlimited mileage in the first two years. That's shorter than rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe (five years) and Kia Sorento (seven years).

That said, Peugeot placed seventh out of 32 manufacturers in the latest Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, which is reassuring.

What's good, and what's not

The good bits

• Stunning Panoramic i-Cockpit and premium-feeling cabin
• Middle row slides forwards for easy third-row access
• Intuitive i-Toggles touch bar
• Huge 2,232-litre maximum boot space

The not-so-good bits

• Engine gets noisy when worked hard
• Feels long when reversing in tight spaces
• Only two ISOFIX points
• Short warranty compared with rivals

What’s the verdict?

Overall Rating: 8/10

Peugeot has built a family car with genuine personality. It's stylish outside, premium inside, and it doesn't look like your typical seven-seater.

The throwback touches are more than just nostalgia, too. They show real thought about how families actually use their cars.

Practicality is strong, with seven seats as standard, a sliding middle row and a huge maximum boot. It's comfortable and far easier to drive than its size suggests.

It's not without compromises. The engine gets noisy, the four-star Euro NCAP rating and short warranty lag behind rivals, and the i-Cockpit won't suit everyone.

But against the SKODA Kodiaq and Hyundai Santa Fe, the 5008 wins hands down on style and cabin design. For families who want seven seats without sacrificing style, it's a seriously tempting choice.

Five reasons to lease the Peugeot 5008

1. Seven seats as standard, so there's room for a growing family without upgrading mid-contract
2. A premium cabin feel on a manageable monthly payment
3. A self-charging hybrid with low running costs and no home charger needed
4. Fixed monthly payments make family budgeting easier
5. A shorter warranty matters less when you're covered for the length of a typical lease

Should you lease the Peugeot 5008?

Yes, especially if you need seven seats but don't want a boring box on wheels.

It's stylish, practical and comfortable: A genuinely easy everyday family car. The hybrid suits drivers without home charging, while the PHEV is there for those who can plug in.

Yes, the engine can get noisy. And yes, the i-Cockpit takes some getting used to. But neither is a deal-breaker when the rest of the package is this good.