BUYER'S GUIDE: 2019 Peugeot 5008

Peugeot launched the all-new Peugeot 5008 locally in July. Given the PHP3,190,000 starting price, it's safe to say that the luxury SUV isn't going to make any top 10 best seller lists any time soon, but with what's on the menu, the 5008 is guaranteed to make a lot of jaws drop. It's basically a bigger 3008 with emphasis on BIG. Think of the 5008 as a bigger and louder movie sequel that doubles down on everything that made the old 3008a hit, and you get an idea of what this upmarket SUV has in store for you.

Specification

'Beefy' and 'rugged' are descriptions that you would often associate with an SUV. 'Sexy' and 'sophisticated,' not so much. And yet with the front-wheel drive Peugeot 5008, all these adjectives seem to fit. Under the hood, you’ll find a 1.6-liter THP (Turbo Haute Pression, French for High Pressure Turbo) delivering a maximum output of 165 hp and max torque of 240 Nm. A six-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission (EAT6) that uses Direct Exchanger Turbo Injection fuel system means you'll be sipping your merry way toward impressive fuel economy.

Exterior

The 5008's aesthetics demand attention. For sure, the sheetmetal represents Peugeot's design language well, exuding confidence with its sleek, sensual lines, robust heft and refined cuts. Illuminating the way is a couple of full LED headlamps with daytime running lamp (DRLs), auto on/off and leveling and the nifty Follow-Me-Home feature, a practical safety tech that leaves the headlights on for a brief moment after the car has been locked so you won’t have to fumble in a dark parking space or garage. It's also got LED front fog lamps with cornering function, roof rack, rear spoiler and dual chrome exhaust nozzle. The latest 5008 is available in four colors: Emerald Crystal, Pyrite, Platinum Grey, and Pearl White.

Interior

Inside, you'll find Peugeot's very own i-Cockpit 2 design language, similar to what you’ll find in the new 3008. The i-Cockpit 2 is called that way because everything inside is digital, controlled via an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen that rivals the latest mobile phone models in terms of responsiveness. There's also a massive 12.3-inch digital instrument panel that you can customize according to the way you want it to look. As for the seat material, enjoy the uber-soft Mistral Piedimonte leather trim and grab on to the Mistral full-grain leather steering wheel to get a taste of what genuine luxury feels like. Other standard interior features include automatic B-zone diffusion air conditioner, illuminated chiller compartment, LED interior lighting, and three 12-volt sockets to power up your various electronic devices.

Space

As mentioned, everything is big in the Peugeot 5008, and that equates to enviable spaciousness. Unsurprisingly, every row offers optimal legroom--second row captain seats provide unbeatable comfort for passengers, while removable third-row seats supply ample boot space for even your very large home furnishings.

Safety

The all-new Peugeot 5008 offers an impressive array of standard safety equipment, starting with six airbags (driver, passenger, two sides, two curtains), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), and blind spot information system. It's also got an array of driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, hill start assist, cruise control, and a five-mode advanced grip control. When maneuvering in parking lots and tight spaces, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree color reversing camera will help ease the task in hand.

Our Verdict

Since its release, the all-new Peugeot 5008 has been reaping awards left and right from various award-giving bodies and car/tech publications, but if there's any accolade that we at CARMUDI PHILIPPINES would like to bestow upon this SUV, it's that it managed to prove that SUVs can be downright sexy. Check out the all-new Peugeot 5008 and see for yourself what all the hype is about.