Brand New Peugeot 5008 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid 195 GT 5dr e-DSC7

Peugeot's seven-seat 5008 aims to offer the best of both worlds in Plug-in Hybrid form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

With this third generation 5008, Peugeot has at last brought us a Plug-in Hybrid version - and if you can afford the up-front asking price, you might find it quite a tempting package. Don't put your name down for an E-5008 before considering one of these first.

Background

Prior to this generation model, we'd never had a Plug-in Hybrid version of Peugeot's 5008. Not in the UK market anyway. Now though, this PHEV model is one of two 5008s you can plug in, the other being the E-5008 full-EV model. This Plug-in Hybrid variant won't give you much on that full-electric derivative, but right at the moment, with charge station queues growing, it could be the smart model in the range to pick. Assuming you've decided to ignore the non-plug-in base Hybrid 136 version anyway, which would save you quite a lot. But that self-charging Hybrid doesn't come with the super-low BiK taxation rating that many potential 5008 PHEV customers will want. That and the pleasurable feeling of being able to waft around on electric power most of the time in suburbia, yet with the reassurance of a petrol engine for longer trips. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

The Plug-in Hybrid 195 version is based around a 150hp 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to a 21kWh battery that energises a 125hp electric motor; which claims to be to drive the car for up to 55 miles on the combined cycle on battery power. As the variant's name suggests, the total power output is 195hp, which is a useful slide more than the 136hp you get from the non-plug-in Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 variant in the range. Rest to 62mph in the PHEV takes 8.3s en route to 137mph, which is 3 seconds and 14mph faster than the Hybrid 136 version. A family-sized seven-seat SUV isn't meant to be thrown about. But it should be capable of safe, high speed handling, should circumstances demand that. If you want us to get right to it, that's what's been delivered here. Don't expect to particularly enjoy the back doubles on your way home from the school run. But if necessary, the 5008 will get you through them surprisingly quickly if your kids have made you late for your first appointment of the day. At the wheel, the unusual driving position of the 'i-Cockpit' design takes some getting used to, but does encourage wrist-flick direction changes aided by this Peugeot's relatively light weight by class standards. As on all 5008s, there are three stages of selectable regenerative braking (Low, Moderate and Enhanced) and three main driving modes - 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport'. Like the Hybrid 136, this PHEV has a straightforward twist beam suspension set-up - the more advanced and supposedly more supple multi-link rear axle arrangement is reserved for the E-5008. Ironically though, this Plug-in Hybrid version rides better than its all-electric stablemate because it carries around a lot less weight.

Design and Build

You wouldn't call this third generation 5008 pretty, but it looks quite futuristic - perhaps more the kind of car the current 3008 would have been if Peugeot hadn't decided to make that model a coupe-style SUV. As you'd expect given the need to fit in three seating rows, this 5008 is much boxier than its stablemate - and pretty large, the new STLA platform facilitating a length increase of around 150mm over its predecessor, which means it's now slightly longer than a rival Skoda Kodiaq. Overall, it's 4.79m long, 1.69m tall and 2.1m wide (including the mirrors). So not quite Kia EV9 territory, but not far off. Inside, it certainly feels like a car designed in the new electric era, the up-front cabin space replicating the 3008 design. Which means it's unusual and different, with a high dual-level centre console and an upper 'floating' 21-inch panoramic screen pod. This houses the infotainment system and, to the right of it, the driving information display, which as usual in a Peugeot you view over the top of the wheel rather than through the spokes. There's a small squared-off steering wheel, while swathes of grey fabric on the doors and the 'spine' that connects the dash to the centre console create cool Scandinavian-style vibe. But practicality will be a key requirement for 5008 customers - who may be disappointed to find that the three individual second row seats of the previous generation model have been replaced by a different configuration. This one lacks the old individual ISOFIX points but offers two larger more comfortable outer seats, flanking a narrow one in the middle that does without the child seat mount. The bench base slides by up to 150mm and the backrest reclines: even before you start fiddling with this, there's plenty of head and legroom. Having a third row of seating isn't a given in a PHEV crossover, but you get it here. The rearmost chairs aren't too difficult to get to and, thanks to this MK3 model's extra 60mm of wheelbase length, are reasonably spacious for kids - though are still clearly primarily intended for those of school age. Luggage capacity seems to be unaffected by the PHEV installation. With the third row in place, there's 348-litres of boot space. Fold the rear-most seats down and the revealed completely flat area is 916-litres in size. There's 2,232-litres of space with the second row folded too.

Market and Model

From launch, 5008 Plug-In Hybrid pricing started from around £43,500, which to give you some range perspective is about £5,000 more than the base non-plug-in Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 model, but about £5,000 less than the base 73kWh 210 version of the all-electric E-5008. As usual with Peugeot, there are two trim levels, base 'Allure' and, for around £3,500 more, top 'GT' spec. 'Allure' trim includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control, body-coloured accents for the front grille and keyless entry. Plus ambient lighting linked to the drive modes, a wireless smartphone charging pad and wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring built into the panoramic 21 inch HD curves display. There's keyless entry, tri-zone automatic climate control and an HD reversing camera with a wash system and rear parking assistance. 'GT' spec upgrades you to 20-inch wheels and adds a contrasting black roof and rear spoiler, as well as a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beams, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functions, a hands-free opening tailgate and front parking sensors. You also get a hands-free electric tailgate and Alcantara upholstery. Each spec level can be specified with a choice of various different options packs. There's lots of camera safety kit too, including autonomous braking and Lane keep assist. And there are six different paint colours.

Cost of Ownership

As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the Plug-in Hybrid 195 5008 will go up to 55 miles on a charge. True, that's not in the same league as the 311 mile EV range of the 73kWh E-5008, but on longer trips, it's hard to put a value on the benefit of not having to stop every few hours of driving and potentially brave a possibly lengthy public DC charging queue. Obviously, you don't get anything like as good a Benefit-in-Kind taxation rating as the E-5008, but 8% is still pretty impressive - and of course in a different league from the 31% rating of the non-plug-in Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 version. That's due to a CO2 return rating of up to 18g/km. The combined cycle fuel return is rated at up to 356.2mpg, though in reality, what you'll actually get won't be that much difference to the frugality of the previous generation diesel. The Plug-in Hybrid needs five hours 30 minutes for a full charge using a 3.7kW supply. And gets a 60-litre fuel tank that's 5-litres bigger than the Hybrid. As for servicing, well on all 5008s an initial check is required at 8,000 miles or at the end of the first year. The first scheduled service is at 2 years or 16,000 miles, then every 16,000 miles or two years thereafter. Owners can opt to purchase a single service plan to cover all essential maintenance.

Summary

It's a pity that the 5008 PHEV doesn't offer a significant price saving over the E-5008 because if it did, we might be tempted to recommend it is the pick of the range. Apart from the price after all, there's lots to like about this partly-electrified battery seven-seat crossover. The cabin design is avant-garde, the practicality will suit a growing family and there's a refined cruising demeanour perfect for the longer trips you'll be able to undertake without the range anxiety you might get in the full-EV model. Ride quality could be better and there isn't quite the solid feel of a rival German brand model, but otherwise, this 5008 PHEV could tick a lot of boxes.