PACKING IT IN

Our long-term has been proving its versatility to Matt Allan

Ikea furniture is famous for coming in neat, flat packages that make it easy to transport – if you’re buying it new.

If you happen to be buying it second-hand it’s not quite so portable, especially if the furniture in question is a massive Kallax shelving unit or two.

But such is my confidence in our 5008’s load-swallowig abilities that when I set out to pick up our “new” shelves I didn’t even take an Allen key. Some fag-packet calculations had convinced me it’d be fine and, for once, I was proved right. The two 147cm by 30cm by 15cm units slotting ( just) one on top of the other into t h e 2 , 5 0 0 - l i t r e b o o t s p a c e . And that was before I realised the front passenger seat folds completely flat to create even more space for long items.

Being able to fit unreasonably large bits of furniture into it is impressive enough, but the a l most s i mul t a n e o u s r e a l i - sation that the centre bin is big enough to hold a bottle of B o r d e a u x a n d a c o u p l e o f wheels of Brie was even more pleasing.

The massive central storage s p a c e , w h i c h i s g e n u i n e l y shaped to hold a wine bottle snugly, is just one of the myriad cubby holes and storage spots that prove this Peuge - o t wa s d e s i g n e d b y p e o p l e who have families. There are spaces for all the detritus of modern life, from phones and keys to loose change and bottles of various sizes, plus multiple charging points. There are also fold-down tables that make it easier for sprogs to enjoy an in- car picnic without making an almighty mess.

T h a n k s t o t h e 5 0 0 8 ’s l ay - out of three seats in the middle row we haven’t had to use the rearmost seats much, but a few runs with six on board has revealed that they don’t q u i t e ma t c h t h o s e i n r iva l s such as the Skoda Kodiaq.

T h e m e c h a n i s m f o r r a i s - ing and lowering them isn’t quite as simple and the leg - r o o m f e e l s t i g h t e r o ve r a l l , although being able to move each row-t wo seat separate - ly is a bonus. They are small margins but, like most in its class, those last two seats are best kept for children or ver y small adults.

Comparing it to the Sko da a l s o i n e v i t a b l y r a i s i n g t h e issue of the media and navigation system. The i-cockpit’s main instrument screen with its various choices of information is a great example – possibly better than the Skoda’s Virtual Cockpit – but the infotainment system lags behind.

C o m p a r e d w i t h t h e b e s t e x a m p l e i t ’s s l o w a n d f i d - d l y wi t h g r a p h i c s t h a t l o o k ropey next to the slick instrument d i s p l ay. I t s mai n s av - ing grace is the presence of Android Auto, which simplifies the media and navigation elements but not the vehicle settings.

Again, it’s small margins but as something you’ll be using e ve r y t r i p , i t ’s a s h a me t h e Peugeot’s interfaces aren’t as user friendly as the rest of the experience.