Should you buy one?

Only if you can get a screaming deal on one. At the time of writing this review, we had some E-5008 leasing deals for less than £275 per month, which makes it a much more affordable option than the £400 per month Mercedes EQB, the £500 per month Kia EV9, or the £600 per month Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB. In fact, as far as leasing is concerned, the E-5008 is currently the cheapest way of getting seven seats and an electric powertrain.

But cheap doesn’t always mean good. The E-5008 has flawed ergonomics, a poor electric range, compromised dynamics and an unsettled ride. I suppose you get what you pay for – and if you’re happy to live with those flaws, this Peugeot makes for quite the bargain.

Personally, I couldn’t live with it. I’d sooner take the Kia EV9 or Volkswagen ID. Buzz over the E-5008. Yes, they’re more expensive, but you can justify that expense because they’re far better cars with greater practicality, more efficient battery packs and more user-friendly interiors.

35

And you can’t forget the E-5008’s traditional rivals. Stick with combustion power and you’ve got a gaggle of incredibly talented (and exceptionally well-developed) seven-seat SUVs that includes the excellent Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Kodiaq, both of which cost about the same amount of money as the E-5008 to buy with cash. Or, if you’re shopping on a tight budget, there’s always the dirt-cheap Dacia Jogger and Vauxhall Frontera.

It’s also worth remembering that the rate of progress is rapid in the electric car game. Seven-seat electric SUVs are thin on the ground for now, but that’ll soon change. Skoda (the best name in the business where practicality is concerned) will have its seven-seat SUV on sale by the end of 2026 – and that promises to be a giant-killer. Just something to keep in mind when shopping.

What we like

The E-5008 has a big boot, an interesting design language and good build quality. I also like Peugeot’s i-Toggle shortcut panel, and the leasing deals are currently very affordable. The rearmost seats are also easy to get into thanks to the wide rear doors.

What we don’t like

Its interior ergonomics are awful, its battery doesn’t use electricity very efficiently, it’s heavy, its suspension can’t control that weight, its infotainment system is too complicated and it’s barely quick enough to get out of its own way.

There are better options out there. The E-5008 is trading on its price, but you can get a more well-rounded car for the same money if you just stick with petrol power. Electric cars are improving all the time, too – and, if the new Fiat Grande Panda is anything to go by, cheap EVs are about to get a whole lot better. If you can only afford to shop in the E-5008’s price bracket (and you’re not desperate for a new car), it might be worth holding out a little longer.