Peugeot 5008 Review

In the C-segment 7-seater SUV market, consumers often seek a balance between spatial practicality and configuration refinement—they want to meet the loading needs of daily family travels without compromising on tech features and driving experience. The core selling point of the 2021 Peugeot 5008 Allure precisely addresses this pain point: while maintaining a class-leading wheelbase, it has upgraded its smart cabin configurations and continues Peugeot's signature handling tuning. Our test drive this time aims to verify whether it can indeed become a strong competitor as an "all-around family SUV."

At first sight of the 2021 Peugeot 5008 Allure, the most intuitive impression is of a more refined design. The front features the Peugeot family-style frameless grille, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides. The daytime running lights extend claw-like to the edges of the grille, making it highly recognizable. The side profile of the car has smooth lines, with a waistline running from the A-pillar to the rear and complemented by 18-inch multi-spoke wheels, preventing the 4670mm long car from looking bulky. At the rear, the smoked LED taillights also adopt a claw-like design, echoing the front, while the silver skid plate under the rear bumper adds a touch of SUV ruggedness. Overall, this car retains the stability of a family car while emphasizing youthful features through its detailed design.

Inside, the first thing that captures attention is the i-Cockpit cabin layout. The 10-inch capacitive touch central control screen replaces the old 8-inch screen, and its interface smoothness is significantly improved, allowing quick operation of commonly used functions like navigation and music. The fully digital instrument panel is clear and supports multiple themes, displaying key information such as speed and fuel consumption in real-time. In terms of materials, the top of the center console is covered with soft-touch plastic, and the inner sides of the door panels are wrapped in leather, delivering a good tactile experience. For configurations, both the front and rear seats support 6-way electric adjustment, with the driver's seat featuring 4-way lumbar support, making it comfortable for long drives. Other practical features, such as dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear independent air outlets, keyless entry/start, and a 220V power socket, are all available. However, the removal of the heads-up display (HUD) and rear-seat LCD screens from the previous model is a bit regretful, though this trade-off is reasonable considering the price and market positioning.

Space performance is one of the core strengths of the 5008 Allure. The 2840mm wheelbase ranks above average in the same segment. The second-row seats support a 40:20:40 split-fold and can slide forwards and backwards. Passengers 175cm tall sitting in the rear have around two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, making long journeys feel roomy. The third-row seats are more suitable for children or short-haul adult passengers. When folded down, the trunk space expands to 952L, easily fitting large items such as strollers and suitcases. As for storage, door panel storage compartments, center armrest box, and front cup holders are thoughtfully designed, making it convenient to store daily small items.

In terms of power, the 2021 Peugeot 5008 Allure is equipped with a 1.6T turbocharged engine producing a maximum power of 167PS and a peak torque of 240N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain remains consistent with the previous model, but its smoothness in actual driving has been improved. The throttle response is active during start-up, with the turbo engaging early to deliver maximum torque at 1400rpm, making it easy to follow traffic or overtake at the start. When switched to sport mode, the transmission delays gear shifts, keeping the engine speed above 2000rpm, offering a more direct power output. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 8.9 seconds, which ranks moderately high among 1.6T models in the same segment. In everyday driving, gear-shifting logic in the transmission is clear, and the shifting is smooth with almost no perceptible jerkiness.

In terms of handling, Peugeot's tuning has always been trustworthy. The steering wheel is precise, with minimal slack, light at low speeds, and stable at high speeds, providing enough confidence. The combination of the front MacPherson and rear torsion beam suspension ensures good handling while effectively filtering road bumps. When passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension quickly absorbs the vibrations, and the body shows no excessive bouncing; when cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, and the support is sufficient. However, the rear torsion beam does transmit some extra vibrations to the cabin when dealing with continuous minor bumps, but overall performance aligns with the positioning of a family SUV.

We also tested fuel consumption, which was about 9.5L/100km in urban congested conditions and dropped to 7.2L/100km on highways, with a combined fuel consumption of approximately 8.3L/100km, roughly matching the official figure of 8.2L/100km. The fuel economy performance is commendable. In terms of noise control, wind and tire noise are not noticeable at speeds below 80 km/h; above 100 km/h, wind noise increases slightly but remains acceptable. The seats offer excellent wrapping and support, ensuring you won't feel tired even during long drives.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2021 Peugeot 5008 Allure are its practical space, upgraded smart features, and well-established power tuning. Compared to the 2019 Allure model, although the HUD and rear row LCD screens were removed, the upgrade to a 10-inch central control screen enhances the sense of technology, and the price is more competitive. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Honda CR-V 7-seater version, it has a longer wheelbase, more practical third-row space, and richer configurations. This car is suitable for consumers who value family travel and balance space with configurations—whether it is daily commuting, weekend family outings, or occasional long-distance driving, it can handle it with ease. If you're looking for a 7-seater SUV that is both practical and sophisticated, the 2021 Peugeot 5008 Allure is worth considering.