If you’ve been looking for something different in the crowded seven-seater SUV market, the 2025 Peugeot 5008 certainly stands out. As Australia’s only French seven-seater, it brings that distinctive European flair that makes you do a double-take in the school pickup line. But before you fall head over heels for its stunning looks, there are some important things every family should know.
What You’ll Pay and What You Get
The Peugeot 5008 comes in two flavors that won’t completely break the bank. The base Allure starts at $55,990, while the fully-loaded GT Premium we tested sits at $67,990. That $12,000 jump might seem steep, but you’re getting a serious upgrade in luxury features that transform the daily driving experience.
When you stack it against mainstream competitors like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, or Toyota Kluger, the pricing sits in a reasonable sweet spot. You’re paying for that French sophistication, but you’re not venturing into luxury car territory.
The Interior: Where French Design Meets Daily Reality
The Good Stuff
Step inside the 5008 and you’ll immediately understand why French cars have such a reputation for style. The cabin feels like a concept car that actually made it to production. That massive 21-inch curved display dominates the dashboard, creating a cockpit that feels genuinely futuristic.
The materials are gorgeous – there’s this cloth-like dashboard trim that looks amazing, though you might want to think twice if you’re the type who eats breakfast on the go. The front seats are exceptional with heating, ventilation, and massage functions that make even the daily commute feel like a spa day.
Storage is surprisingly practical for a French car. There’s wireless phone charging, decent cup holders that actually hold takeaway cups properly, and door pockets that fit proper water bottles.
The Quirky Bit
Here’s where things get interesting – that tiny steering wheel. It’s classic Peugeot, sitting low in your lap while you peer over it at the instruments. Some people love this setup, others find it completely bizarre. There’s no middle ground. You’ll know within five minutes of driving whether you’re in the love-it or hate-it camp.
Living with Seven Seats (Sort Of)
Front and Middle Rows: Pretty Great
The front seats are genuinely comfortable for long drives, and the second row is perfectly adequate for adults. There’s decent legroom, the seats slide and recline, and you get proper amenities like USB ports, air vents, and cup holders. Even tall adults can sit back there without feeling cramped.
Third Row: The Reality Check
Here’s where we need to have an honest conversation. Those third-row seats are really only suitable for small children or very patient teenagers. Getting back there requires some yoga-level flexibility, and once you’re in, you’ll be counting the minutes until you can escape.
There are no child seat anchor points in the third row, which is a huge limitation for families with multiple young kids. The space is so tight that even with the middle row pushed forward, adults will struggle to fit comfortably.
The boot space behind the third row is decent at 348 litres, expanding to 916 litres with those back seats folded down. So think of this more as a really spacious five-seater with emergency seats rather than a true seven-seater.
The Driving Experience: Surprisingly Delightful
Power and Performance
Don’t let the small 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine fool you. Combined with the mild-hybrid system, it produces 107kW, which is plenty for everyday driving. The car feels lighter and more agile than its size suggests, making it surprisingly fun to drive around town.
The electrified dual-clutch transmission works beautifully, providing smooth shifts and that little electric boost at low speeds where you’d normally feel engine lag. It can even run on electric power alone at very low speeds, though don’t expect it to replace a proper hybrid.
Fuel Economy Reality Check
Peugeot claims 5.1L/100km, which sounds amazing on paper. In the real world, expect something closer to 8L/100km for mixed driving. That’s not terrible, but it’s worth budgeting for premium unleaded fuel, which adds to the running costs.
How It Feels on the Road
The 5008 feels much smaller than it actually is, which is both good and bad. Good because it’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces and feels nimble through corners. Bad because you might forget you’re driving a nearly 4.8-meter-long SUV and misjudge parking spaces.
The ride quality is mostly excellent, soaking up bumps better than the smaller 3008 thanks to its longer wheelbase. Road noise is well-controlled, making it a pleasant companion for highway driving.
Safety and Technology
The 5008 earned a four-star Euro NCAP rating, which is solid if not exceptional. It comes with all the expected safety tech like autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
One refreshing thing? It doesn’t constantly beep at you. Unlike many modern cars that ding and dong for every speed limit change, the 5008 gives you visual warnings without the audio assault. Sometimes French restraint is exactly what you need.
Ownership Costs and Warranty
Peugeot offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which provides good peace of mind. Service intervals are quite long at 12 months or 25,000km, and you can pre-pay for servicing plans that work out to about $399 per year.
The biggest concern? Resale value. French cars traditionally don’t hold their value as well as Japanese or German rivals, so factor that into your long-term budget.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 Peugeot 5008 is a gorgeous, quirky, and genuinely enjoyable SUV that brings something different to the market. It’s perfect for families who want style, technology, and driving enjoyment but don’t actually need seven proper seats.
If you’ve got older kids who don’t mind cramped quarters occasionally, or you see those back seats as bonus emergency seating, the 5008 could be exactly what you’re looking for. Just don’t buy it expecting to comfortably transport seven adults on a regular basis.
The French approach to automotive design isn’t for everyone, but if you appreciate thoughtful touches, distinctive styling, and a driving experience that feels genuinely different from the mainstream options, the Peugeot 5008 deserves serious consideration. Just make sure you test drive it with your whole family first.