Peugeot's new 5008 is a seven-seat MPV that expanding families will love.
It's been a while since Peugeot used the number '5' in its range, but many readers may remember some of Ireland's favourite family cars like the 504 and 505 estates with their rearward facing third row of seats. Unlike those classics, the 5008 isn't based on a saloon car but is a standalone mid-sized MPV. The 5008 is similar in size to the 7-seat Citroen C4 Picasso and like the C4 Picasso the latest French offering is a stylish addition to the very practical world of MPVs.
The 5008 is available only as a seven-seater in Ireland and the UK (five-seat versions are available in Europe). It features the classic two-three-two individual seat formation. The rear two seats are best for kids but adults can squeeze in, too - if they're bold!
As a five-seater the boot space is impressive. Fold down the middle row of three equal sized seats and the 5008 turns into an Ikea friendly van with a flat floor and a massive 2506 litres of cargo space. If you love buying planks of wood that are 2.76m long... they'll fit in the 5008, too!
At a recent test drive I drove the 1.6 litre petrol and diesel versions but there is just one engine coming to Ireland for now. Power will come from PSA's famous 1.6HDi (110bhp) that seems to be fitted to almost every car on the planet at the moment! This tax friendly engine is ideal for use in a family vehicle as it is quite frugal on juice (52mpg+) but strong enough to pull the whole family along without too much fuss.
Peugeots are as a rule comfortable and inside the 5008 Peugeot continues to impress with a cabin that is comfy, driver-oriented and well-equipped. The Continental Irish Car of the Year 2010, Peugeot's 3008 (as voted for by the Irish Motoring Writers' Association) revealed the French firm's interior styling development but the 5008 is an even nicer cabin to be in. The new toys we saw with the 3008 are available like the HUD (Head Up Display), distance alert etc. A manual six-speed gearbox is standard.
The 5008 ticks all the boxes in terms of safety with a maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP. ESP (electronic stability programme) is standard, too, and this driving aid is a potential lifesaver. ESP intervenes when grip is compromised to keep the car going in the direction it's being steered. How does the car knows this? Well, its computer calculates how much the steering wheel is being turned and compares this to how much each front wheel is turning. If either wheel spins more than it should within a specific steering input range ESP will retard the wheel that's losing grip and help the vehicle stay on track. Very clever and thankfully the EU will soon demand it as standard on all cars.
The 5008 is due to be launched in Ireland in the first quarter of 2010. A very large panoramic sunroof (1.69m²) should be top of the options list for buyers.
An excellent offering.
Michael Sheridan
