FANGTASTIC
Big beast with a little steering wheel, the 5008 is a car to get your teeth into
I’VE always loved Peugeot’s small steering wheel and the fact you find it on everything from the 208 to the 5008 I’m driving is a bonus.
Some complain it hinders a clear view of the instrument panel but it is fully adjustable.
For me, it transforms the drive of even the biggest car into a bit of fun on the roads.
Here I am driving this big beast of an SUV and we come to a corner. A quick twitch on the compact steering wheel and we’re round it and pulling out into the straight. Magic.
The other bonus is that this lovely spacious car drives really smoothly, soaking up the lumps and bumps on our roads so well, that the sporty quality of the steering simply adds to driver enjoyment.
It is hard to believe such a large SUV could behave so athletically.
From the outside, it is long and wide with Peugeot’s signature ‘‘ fang’’ daytime running lights making it quite distinctive when it comes up behind you on the road.
There are claw-like rear taillights too, a reminder that its symbol is the lion rampant – a bit like our saltire.
There is a roof and rear spoiler and some lovely 18ins diamond cut alloys as well as black gloss trim on the bodywork – very elegant, very French, very Peugeot.
Inside, it comes as a fiveseater with Isofix fittings on the rear seats, or with a quick pull on the handles, a sevenseater for a day out with all the family.
Admittedly, it will decrease the boot space but there is enough room for a collapsible buggy and bag or so.
With the third row seats down, there is 702 litres of boot space that transforms into a whopping 1940 litres with all rear seats down.
This, added to a braked trailer weight of 1100kg, makes this is a very versatile car indeed.
Inside, the comfort is terrific with big plush seats more like armchairs and there are plenty of sockets and practical stuff like two reading spotlights in the rear that will not disturb the driver.
The front passenger seat can even fold flat to a picnic table.
The reversing camera is excellent and is situated on the 10ins touchscreen which has toggle switches below for music, nav, aircon or heating, apps and vehicle settings.
There is Bluetooth, DAB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on Mirror Screen and lovely blue ambient lighting.
A full suite of safety features comes on this Allure Premium+ trim level model which features Peugeot’s award- winning 1.2- litre PureTech petrol engine.
Not enough, you would think, to power such a big car but it does and with panache.
Since its arrival on the scene, the 5008 has been greeted with an equal mix of relief and delight by motorists looking for a big beast with all the trimmings that will not break the bank.
The Peugeot 5008 fills that space and will prove a godsend to families looking for a roomy, adaptable car that will do the business.