We road test the stylish Peugeot E-5008 electric seven-seater…
If you’re looking for a big SUV that’s capable of carrying seven people in reasonable comfort, there’s already a pretty good choice.
Petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric – there’s something for everybody.
At the more affordable end of the list there’s the Mazda CX-80, Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, SEAT Tarraco and Kia EV9, for instance.
The Peugeot 5008 should also be on that shortlist. Originally launched in 2009 as a dowdy MPV, the 5008 hasn’t looked back since 2017 when it was re-invented as a family SUV.
Now the third generation, introduced in 2024, is even better, blending kerb appeal with practicality and a premium feel.
Peugeot’s hedging its bets with the 5008 because it’s available as a full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric.
Right now I’m focusing on the EV version (badged E-5008), which comes with either a 73kWh or 97kWh battery back.
Priced from £48,650, my test car had the smaller battery (paired with a 207bhp electric motor), which in theory is capable of a range of up to 310 miles. For the record, the 97kWh can travel up to 414 miles, and soon a four-wheel drive variant will be offered (73kWh, 310 miles).
Effectively a stretched version of the E-3008, the E-5008 is one of the sharpest-looking electric seven-seaters on the market.
The well-proportioned E-5008 has serious road presence, thanks to its bold front end featuring slim LED headlamps integrated into the frameless grille. Naturally, Peugeot’s trademark light signatures are present too – ‘lion’s claw’ LED daytime running lights up front and ‘three-claw’ at the rear.
Inside, there’s the wow factor of Peugeot’s new ‘Panoramic i-Cockpit’, complete with a floating, curved 21-inch HD screen that combines the driver’s display with the central touchscreen.
I’ve had my issues with the i-Cockpit design before, because the dinky, low-set steering wheel and higher dashboard results in a slightly awkward driving position for taller drivers (ie the steering wheel is almost in your lap, otherwise it blocks the dashboard).
Thankfully, this situation is much-improved in the E-5008, though it’s still a quirk.
The main takeaway is that the infotainment screen and instrument cluster are a huge-step up from the previous model. The graphics are still not-class-leading, but it’s a big improvement and works well.
There are no physical buttons, but the touch keys are great and the ability to create shortcuts boosts usability. There’s also a handy ‘OK Peugeot’ voice assistant and integrated ChatGPT.
The E-5008 also ticks the sustainability box. Peugeot claims that more than 500kg of green materials are used in each car. For instance, recycled plastic is used in bumpers, storage bins and carpets.
The E-5008 is available in two trim levels – entry-level Allure, and range-topping GT.
All models come with a reversing camera, wireless charger, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, ambient lighting, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keep assist, to name but a few goodies.
GT specs cars gain features such as adaptive headlights, two-tone paint, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate and adaptive cruise control.
Inside, the Peugeot E-5008 is light and spacious, while the overall finish and build quality is getting close to premium rivals. Visibility is good, which helps with manoeuvres, along with light steering and the reversing camera, which offers two angles – rear view or bird’s eye.
Like a lot of seven-seaters, there’s just enough space for adults in the third row, but only for short distances. Children and small people will be fine.
Access is helped by the wide-opening rear doors and the second-row seats which slide and tilt.
With five seats in play you get an impressive 916 litres of boot space. This drops to 348 litres in the seven-seater. Fold down both rear rows and you get a massive 2,232 litres of load space.
Naturally, the E-5008 feels substantial on the road, but it’s more agile than you might think, managing to stay remarkably flat in more challenging corners. However, it’s at its best as a refined cruiser.
Additionally, the suspension soaks up bumps nicely, delivering a comfortable ride, and it generally feels nicely planted. Overall, I think it handles better than the E-3008.
It’s not savagely fast like some competitors, but 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds is more than enough to hold its own, and the instant torque off the mark makes it seem quicker. Just a shame that there’s a fair amount of travel in the brake pedal before anything happens and then it’s on the grabby side.
Three drives modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) are available, but as ever, Eco dulls the driving experience, Sport is fine for short bursts, but Normal offers the best blend of performance and efficiency.
There’s paddle-mounted brake regeneration with three different settings to ‘claw’ back some of that energy otherwise lost when slowing down. However, there is no one-pedal option, liked by many EV drivers (not me).
Talking of charging, the E-5008 can do so at speeds of up to 160kW, meaning a top-up from 10 to 80% will take you around 30 minutes, though most owners will probably charge overnight at home.
We’d need to drive the E-5008 for a week or so to give a proper estimate of real-world range. Based on our test drive on mixed roads, where we achieved a creditable average efficiency of 3.8 miles per kWh, I’d say the entry-level 73kWh model is capable of as much as 240-250 miles, though colder weather and driving style will knock it down.
Verdict: Sharply styled, spacious, safe and easy to drive, the Peugeot E-5008 is a welcome addition to the growing seven-seater SUV category.
