Space and style: Armstrongs
Peugeot’s SUV family is showing no signs of slowing down. The 5008 GT is the largest in the range being a full seven-seater. However, is it a case of Gallic style or substance? Let’s see. Ben Selby reports.
The 5008 GT is available with a petrol or diesel variant. The petrol GT featured here sits at $65,990 plus ORC. Power comes from Peugeot’s 1.6L PureTech 180 Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine. Mated to a slick eight-speed automatic transmission (more on that in a bit), it churns out 133kW and
250Nm of torque.
Outside, the current 5008 GT has a handsome face. Plenty of striking edges, and its LED daytime running lights and taillights seem to resemble a cat’s claws. Kind of fitting given the badge.
Inside you are greeted with a cabin which is quintessentially modern Peugeot. Everything from the clean-cut angular switchgear to the dark wood dash inlays, and petite GT embossed steering wheel, reflects the French obsession with quirky style to great effect.
The leather clad seats, which also happen to be heated and can give your back a massage, hold you well in place, though the seat bases are a bit firm. The 5008 GT claws back points by sporting a tonne of interior space. Even the lankiest folk will find room to get comfortable, though children are best left for the third row.
This being a seven-seater, the third row can fold out and, when stored away, give you a hefty 952L of space. Want more? Drop the second row down too, and this increases to a gargantuan 2150L.
A good amount of kit comes with the vehicle. The GT includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist with semi-autonomous drive capability, parking sensors front and rear, reversing 360-degree camera, rain sensing auto wipers, blind spot monitoring, forward collision alert, wireless phone charging, power tailgate, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. An optional panoramic sunroof does an excellent job of letting the light in.
Move off and the 1.6 turbo four pot shows itself to be a punchy wee unit. While it’s probably not the most exhilarating engine note around, the mid-range gives a decent mechanical burble. The eight-speed automatic transmission was also a bit of a surprise. Flicking up and down via the shift paddles, each gear is reached pretty much instantly.
It’s very slick in every way, especially in Sport mode.
Talking of Sport mode, the 5008 GT also manages to be a relatively engaging drive. The small steering wheel feels good in your mitts, and easily sorts the bends. Another plus is the level of ride comfort. While not magic carpet-like, the 5008 GT serves up a comfortable, yet supple, way of dealing of with coarse tarmac and off-camber bitumen.
For those after an SUV with oodles of space and style, the Peugeot 5008 GT offers up a certain “je ne sais quoi”, a refreshing alternative to the mainstream norm of urban seven-seater SUVs.
FACT FILE
Peugeot 5008 GT
Price: $65,990 plus ORC
Engine: 1.6L Turbo Petrol
Transmission: 8-speed Auto automatic
Drivetrain: FWD
Power: 130kW
Torque: 250kW
COMBINED Fuel Consumption: 5.6L/100km
CO2 OUTPUT: 128g/km
BOOT SPACE: 952L
WEIGHT: 1521KG
Ben Likes
– Good power delivery
– Cabin style
– Slick transmission
Azariah Likes
– Love how the cabin looks
– Interior Space
– Boot Size
(Azariah is Ben Selby’s wife)
