Written by Stephen Dobie Published: 1 July 2024 Updated: 2 July 2024

Overview

The Peugeot E-5008 is a minor pioneer. It’s a seven-seater SUV with electric power – something the car market isn’t currently swamped with. SUV rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Kia EV9 are much pricier (the latter much larger, too), while MPVs like Peugeot’s own E-Rifter are about two thirds of the price but visibly and technically close to the vans they’re based upon and have only modest driving range figures.

Family buyers craving a bit more panache can currently choose this E-5008 – and very little else. Though with mild and plug-in hybrid versions also due later in the year, it aligns very closely with the Skoda Kodiaq for those who don’t currently want (or need) an EV. Now in its second generation, that Czech crossover continues to be a fine choice in this segment.

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What’s it like inside?

The latest iteration of ‘i-cockpit’ is bold and broadly very good to use. Like all Peugeots in the past decade, it pairs a diddy steering wheel with a bank of dials curving round above it, this time amidst a lush 21.0-inch digital infotainment display – one which forgoes the need for a head-up display beamed onto the road ahead. It looks good and is broadly intuitive, though our usual bugbears (not exclusive to Peugeot) about fiddly climate controls remain here.

Head backward and the E-5008 gets more impressive. Every single model comes with seven seats (Skoda makes the back row optional, and its plug-in variants are currently five-seater only) and rather than rest on its laurels, Peugeot has developed the luggage space and flexibility further.

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The boot is longer and more commodious than the outgoing 5008 regardless of layout, offering 348 litres of luggage space with all three rows of seats in place, rising to 916 litres with the back row flipped and 2,232 litres – and a 2.0-metre long load bay – once the middle seats are folded.

Just be warned some of the quoted capacity is tucked below the boot floor or rear seats, calling for a mite of ingenuity to combine lots of people and possessions. But there’s genuine space for adults in the third row if they can tolerate slightly bunched-up knees. The middle row flips and slides cleverly to make ingress and egress surprisingly gracious, too. Bravo Peugeot.

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Peugeot E-5008 motors and batteries

In time, there’ll be three iterations of E-5008. It launches as the single-motor, front-driven E-5008 Electric 210 combining 210hp power with a 311-mile range. It’ll be followed by a long-range Electric 230 which hikes battery capacity up from 73 to 89kWh for figures of 230hp and 410 miles.

Those seeking performance (or four-wheel drive) will want the dual-motor Electric 230, which uses the smaller battery and has 316bhp. So it’ll be quick, but will have the poorest range figure of the trio.

The E-5008 uses 400V lithium-ion battery architecture and will accept DC rapid charge of up to 160kW. Which is close to where a lot of the UK’s rapid-charging network currently sits though perches the car someway below the abilities of Hyundai and Kia’s offerings. Peugeot promises 62 miles of range in 10 minutes and recharging from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes. For slower AC charging, an 11kW three-phase charger is fitted as standard with 22kW capability optional.

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What it’s like to drive?

The range kicks off very modestly, this launch Electric 210 model claiming 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds. While it’s hardly the prime number for a family shuttle, such relaxed power delivery with an empty car suggests this really won’t be brisk when fully loaded. That does encourage a calmer driver style to prolong the car’s impressive range figure, though. And like all EVs, its instantly available torque zips it down slip roads and into traffic fairly breezily.

Though with a 2.2-ton kerb weight in single-motor form, this is a heavy car even before you’ve piled it with family and luggage (or another motor). In corners it really feels its heft and its firm reactions on bumpier roads proves the chassis is working hard. Still, settle at a cruise (and on smoother roads) and this is a hushed and effortless thing to drive – just as a family car ought to be.

We’re yet to drive either of the hybrids, but while the mild hybrid 5008 uses a tame 1.2-litre petrol engine and is slower to 62mph, it’s a whole 513kg lighter – meaning it may well feel more agile than an empty E-5008 even with all of its seats filled.

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What models and trims are available?

There are two trim levels, Allure and GT, but all of the good stuff is standard on both – seven seats, the fancy dashboard screen, a reversing camera and bold 19-inch wheels. The GT brings 20-inch alloy wheels (likely worse for the ride) plus LED lights front and rear, heated seats and steering wheel and adaptive cruise control. Desirable options include a 360-degree parking camera and a vast panoramic sunroof.

Not sold on EVs yet? Mild and plug-in hybrid powertrains are on their way. The 5008 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 pairs a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox for around 48mpg fuel economy and 130g/km CO2 emissions. Peugeot also claims similar in-car hush, with 67dB of ‘driving sound’ versus 65dB for the fully electric models.

The 5008 Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DCS7 uses a larger 1.6-litre engine combined with an electric motor and a seven-speed transmission for a 192bhp total and almost 50 miles of electric-only range. It could be a winner for company car users.

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What else should I know?

Prices are yet to be confirmed but will sit around £2,000-3,000 more than an equivalent 3008, which means a starting point higher than £37,000 for the mild hybrid and more than £48,000 for an electric version. Not a steal, then. At least the plush interior and swish exterior help back up such sturdy pricing.

All electric Peugeots offer something called Allure Care, an eight-year (or 100,000-mile) warranty that covers the whole car, so long as you follow the servicing schedule at an official Peugeot dealer. The hybrid versions continue with the traditional three-year, 60,000-mile offer, mind. Talk about a push towards EVs…

Does this all stack up, and can this car’s obvious design flair tempt you out of more premium-badged rivals? Read on to see how we rate the E-5008 after driving it at the international launch – you can also find out how we test cars to see how we’ve come to our conclusions in our verdict.