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2021 Peugeot 5008 GT Driven and Reviewed

gaycarboys - Alan Zurvas

MY21 Peugeot 5008 GT Petrol.

Peugeot 5008 2021 Updated and Rated

Australian Peugeots are marketed as posh, premium, and even, yes I’ll say it, luxury. Yet, in the land of parlez vous, they’re mere taxis.

PCA (Peugeot Citroen Automobiles) has a long and lavish lineage of comfy and cosy cars, buses and vans. In a surprise move, the French got all bolshy last year, forming a mega group called Stellantis. This mega maker was formed by merging with FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), with a huge 13 in the portfolio. All of a sudden, the Peugeot family are on the upper rungs of the automotive ladder.

Download full Specifications HERE: MY21 Peugeot 5008 Spec Sheet

The recent merger has yet to produce a vintage so that batch is in the cellar for the time being.

Meanwhile we have the updated 5008, which has so far, failed to fire up a feeding frenzy.

We attended the original launch, here is our video review of the event HERE

There is a single model, the GT. This is where it gets a trifle baffling. The petrol is the base model, and the diesel is the top model. Despite increased trim level of the diesel 5008 and the $8,000 price difference, Peugeot insists that both are named GT. Well, that’s the French for you.

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ABOVE: 2021 Peugeot 5008 GT Petrol

Outside

Peugeot brought the gorgeousness of the 508 to the practical pseudo-SUV. I say pseudo because a model range of SUVs without an AWD option is nothing more than a spacious tourer. And that’s what 5008 would be best at.

The front end is simply stunning. Large DTRLs and clever LED headlights make the face a force to be reckoned with.

The tailgate is powered, with a waggy-foot feature. If the door fails to open, no matter. At least you’ll have given the gongoozlers something to laugh at.

The doors are huge, but capacious rear openings fail to fully realise 7 seat advantage, but more about that later.

The over all look is both stunning, and chunky. As modern and cutting edge as it is, 5008 somehow misses the cool factor completely.

Inside

The cabin is drop dead gorgeous. Our optional nappa seating has powered adjustment for the driver. A final flourish of lumbar support is accompanied by a quite decent massage feature. Sadly, only your back is tended to. Your bum and legs will have to fend for themselves.

Front pews are firm but supportive, and have pull-out thigh support.

2nd row is equally deluxe and all three rows have lavishly quilted leather coverings. There is a shedload of space, but that all goes tits up when someone tries to load actual humans into the 3rd row. Unless you’re a 4’6” Circ du Soleil performer, there isn’t enough room to slip in without rupturing at least 3 discs. Once ensconced, the 2nd row can no longer slide back far enough to avoid touching the seats up front. In practice, the 2nd and 3rd row then become more like visiting day at Long Bay. Having said that, we are yet to find a 7-seat SUV where the 3rd row is anything more than a useless waste of space.

Although there is no option to omit the 3rd row, they can be removed and left home.

That is the bad, which makes the good all the more piquant.

The dash is a triumph of both form and function. Swathes and luscious curves cocoon the driver. I-Cockpit puts a classy digital dash above the tiny steering wheel. There is no HUD because Peugeot fancies it isn’t needed in their i-Cockpit, but is not a fancy I share. I’m used to heads up displays and the information they project on the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight

The wheel has an array of controls, with paddles mounted to the column for manual gear selection. Smart cruise control is a smaller paddle-shaped stalk, but can be difficult to use. Sadly, the smart cruise doesn’t have a queue function

A central lcd is flanked by side controls depending on function displayed, and sits above a set of piano keys to access individual apps. Further function is located on a second, les impressive, row of keys.

The centre console has a delectable pistol grip style gear lever, and an electric brake control. The drive mode button sits nearby, and a Qi charger and usb / 12v outlets sit the base of the centre stack.

Although it is slightly busy, the attractive layout eschews the less-is-more ethos in favour of artful touches simply there to look pretty.

Graceful sweeps of (optional) timber trim sit alongside leather, metal, and plastic in a mix that is soothing, yet familiar.

The Drive

There is no getting away from the fact the 121kw is short of optimal, with a 0-100 time of 10.5 seconds. The 1.6L turbo 4-pot sings happily, occasionally aided by sports mode. It is super smooth and feels finely crafted, with little vibration. The 6-speed automatic does the job, but you can’t help but feel jipped by the diesel having an 8-speed.

Ride is a sensation.

it is beautifully smooth on all but the most rubbish surfaces, but it tends to comfort more than handling. Somehow Peugeot manages to make a decent fist of most corners despite a spot of body roll.

Steering is nicely weighted, but remember, electric steering simulates road feel so it all depends on how the tuner has calibrated it. You just have to know 5008 is going to go where you point it, even if at times it doesn’t feel it.

We took the road south, then turned into the mountains. Tarmac was well kept at first, but unloved sections were frequent once off the main drag. We stopped at a windy hilltop lookout for a flask of tea and a scrummy sandwich. From then on, the road got a bit iffy. In fact, one section was absolutely brutal. Poorly kept is an understatement. There were potholes big enough to park a bus in, but 5008 treated them with indifference.

On our return trip, we used Google Maps via CarPlay. Inbuilt navigation volume can be turned down but not off. Nuff said. The problem is the map won’t be shown on the driver screen but that’s a small price to pay for sanity.

You can’t go to far afield without 4WD of some kind. Peugeot has no AWD models so no mud, or sand, rough or otherwise.

Conclusion:

Look and feel is classy all the way. It worries me that Peugeot is trying to position itself as premium brand with a price to match.

For this price I’d expect an AWD option, and smart cruise control with queue assist. We tried the rear seats, but that made the 2nd and 3rd row seats somewhat unpleasant.  As we pointed out in the video, Subaru Outback has AWD and the top model is $20,000 cheaper than the 5008 GT Diesel. After checking the exact pricing, the figure is closer to 12 grand, but that is still a chunk of change.

I adore 5008 for all its foibles, but it needs to be cheaper and absolutely must have an AWD model. I’d banish the wretched 3rd row to the back of the garage where it belongs, and consider 5008 as a high-riding hatch.

Peugeot has been a personal favourite for many years, but I fear buyer tastes have changed and peugeot/Citroën is having trouble keeping up with it. They need to take an AWD system from one of their other brands and shoehorn it in quick smart.

Download spec sheet HERE:MY21 Peugeot 5008 Spec Sheet

Price: $51,990 (as tested $56,639)

Engine: 1.6L 4cyl, Euro 6, turbo petrol

Power: 121kw/240Nm

Econ: 7L/100k

Tank: 56L

Trans: 6 speed automatic

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