Written by Keith Adams Updated: 20 November 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, but you can be sure that this is going to change in the coming years. However, it’s the third-generation 5008, and this is a car that’s been on quite a journey since it first arrived on the scene as an ugly MPV back in 2009.

It’s now an arresting-looking thing that certainly stands out on the road. SUV rivals for the E-5008 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 available, 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’, shared with the hybrid Peugeot 5008, 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 (yes really!) 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.

The middle row of seats is roomy, and also aided by big doors that make getting in and out an absolute cinch. They are cleverly designed, too, as they flip and slide to make ingress and egress into the rearmost pews surprisingly gracious, too. Bravo Peugeot.

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Head further backwards and the E-5008 gets more impressive. Every single model comes with seven seats this is an area where you can see that Peugeot has developed the luggage space and flexibility further. There’s genuine space for adults in the third row if they can tolerate slightly bunched-up knees – an area where the E-5008 is well ahead of the Mercedes-Benz EQB, although someway behind the much larger Kia EV9.

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.

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Peugeot E-5008 motors and batteries

There will eventually be three iterations of E-5008. It’s currently available 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 320, which uses the smaller battery and has 320hp. 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. You can add 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 Electric 210 model claims 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds, and it doesn’t exactly feel quick off the blocks. 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.

By way of comparison, the mild hybrid 5008 uses a tame 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and is slower to 62mph. It’s a whole 513kg lighter, meaning it feels much 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 (definitely 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? The 5008 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 pairs a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox for around 48mpg fuel economy, while 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 195hp 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?

The E-5008 is priced ambitiously, and you’ll find it’s coming in at Mercedes-Benz EQB money – finance deals aren’t looking too hot at the moment, either. 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 and back here in the UK – you can also find out how we test cars to see how we’ve come to our conclusions in our verdict.