Peugeot 5008 HDi 150 – A Traveller's Delight

Reviews by Steve Wicks & Catherine O’Donnell | Photos by Steve Wicks

Category: 
Vehicle Reviews

Peugeot’s recently introduced 5008 is one of those vehicles that goes almost unnoticed simply because it's a very user friendly device and does everything it should with ease.

 

 

I was fortunate enough to spend a week driving the 5008 HDi, which I used for a trip to the week-long Knysna Speed Festival. It is a 7-seater people mover, but the rearmost seats are a tad difficult to access although a compact sized human would not battle. The bonus is that the seats, and the middle row, fold flat onto the floor so there's lots of space available for carrying things like camera bags, a mountain bike and all the luggage a lady will need for 10 days away from her wardrobe and dressing table. Handy floor mounted hooks allow everything to be strapped down securely and a cargo net is supplied as standard.

 

There’s a neat heads-up display on the windscreen showing a digital speed readout while the conventional instrument binnacle has an analogue speedo and rev counter. The automatic handbrake took a bit of time to get used to, but it quickly became second nature. Headlights and wipers are also automatic.

 

There’s useful storage for small odds and ends in the deep door pocket and centre console, where accessory plugs, including the USB, are located. Other neat touches are the panoramic roof and individual driver and passenger climate controls. It also offers a number of family friendly features including rear sunblinds, underfloor storage cubbies, a supplementary rear view mirror to help keep an eye on the kids and a host of 12V sockets.

 

The 2-litre diesel delivers 110 kW at 3,750 rpm and 340 Nm of torque, which is coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox to give a relaxed cruising gait for favourable fuel consumption figures. Overtaking from the legal 120 km/h limit is effortless, even in sixth gear, and around town in traffic there is a ratio for every occasion.

 

There is a lot of choice in this vehicle segment with most manufacturers vying for a slice of the market. However, Peugeot has a definite edge thanks to its recently announced 5 year / 100,000 km maintenance plan. Apart from the usual servicing, parts and maintenance (excluding tyres), the plan also includes 24/7 roadside assistance.

 

 

According to Peugeot SA’s managing director, Francis Harnie, one of the main benefits is that it allows you to budget for five-year ownership, safe in the knowledge that there won’t be any hidden costs.

 

Peugeot clearly has confidence in its vehicles, which is a good enough reason to put the Peugeot 5008 at the top of your shopping list.

 

On the road
Packed and ready to head for Knysna, my comment of, “You do not need all that,” having been ignored, the Peugeot 5008 comfortably took everything.

 

With a full tank of diesel and snacks on hand, off we went for a 12-hour drive. The car purred along as the radio played, and the climate control proved a dream. My side - nice and warm - while the other side was very much on the chilly side. This was total bliss, no arguing about how hot versus how cold we were. After 12 hours in the car, mutters of, "These seats are not comfortable," were heard, but once in Knysna and using the car daily to run around, the seats were perfectly comfortable.

 

This is a good car. Forget the specs (which I never understand anyway). It is easy to drive, has lots of space for the kids, and dogs if necessary, and enough gadgets to be modern but not so many as to confuse those of us more accustomed to a 10-year old car.

 

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