The days of the Peugeot 5008 being a boxy MPV seem very distant indeed, and the more recent models have established the nameplate as a key player in the family SUV market. But now the new model has brought the car even deeper into the 21st Century with electric power and a fresh look, will the more conventionally powered versions feel a bit superfluous?

To find out, we sampled the new 5008 Hybrid on UK roads. It features a 1.2-litre hybrid system under the bonnet. It’s the ‘basic’ engine option in the new-look 5008 line-up, ideal for those that aren’t yet ready to go electric.

What does the new Peugeot 5008 Hybrid look like?

The hybrid 5008 looks exactly like the electric version, with the same grille that’s integrated into the front bumper, the same claw-like light signature and the same basic body shape. There are a couple of ways to tell it apart, however, thanks mainly to the lack of an ‘E-‘ prefix to the 5008 logo on the nose, and slightly different wheels. The result is a car that won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s in keeping with Peugeot’s ultra-modern design language, and it’ll attract as many customers as it alienates.

A look inside the Peugeot 5008 Hybrid

Just as the hybrid 5008 is almost identical to the electric version on the outside, the same goes inside, where there’s a very modern, angular cabin that’s easy on the eye. That’s partly because of the decision to use fabric coverings on the dash panels, creating a stylish and tactile surface from what is really a fairly cheap swathe of plastic underneath. Ploy or not, though, it really works, and it makes the 5008’s interior look and feel great.

Of course, it isn’t alone on that front. The wide, angular screens that float above the dash help, as does the bank of built-in ambient lighting. The angular shapes and the relative lack of switchgear also plays its part, alongside Peugeot’s now-familiar tiny steering wheel.

As usual, the small but high-set steering wheel plays havoc with the driving position to a degree, and unless you have a very specific body shape, you’ll find yourself craning your neck to see the bottom part of the digital instrument display. We’d recommend test-driving one before you sign on the dotted line just in case you can’t live with the layout.

Otherwise, though, the 5008’s interior is really quite well made, with some well-judged materials and a smart design, as well as plenty of space. Even with all seven seats upright, the boot is about the same size as that of a Volkswagen Polo, and it grows to a cavernous 916 litres when you fold the rearmost seats down. That’s a lot by anyone’s standards, and it’s certainly more than you get in a Skoda Kodiaq, a car lauded for its interior space.

Of course, many buyers will come to the 5008 specifically because it has seven seats, and Peugeot goes to great lengths to extol the virtues of said extra pews. But while the company says it’s easier to get in and out of the rear seats than before, it still requires a fair bit of contortion for any adult of above-average height. Even when you’re in, you’ll have to trade comfort in the middle row for space in the back.

The Peugeot 5008’s on-board technology

The hybrid-powered 5008 gets just the same on-board tech as the Peugeot E-5008, so you get the same single display housing the same touchscreen and digital instrument display. Obviously, the instrument cluster has to be slightly different because of the powertrain, with fuel level displays and the like, but it’s much the same idea.

And that’s a good thing, because although you can’t necessarily see the whole screen thanks to the wheel and driving position, what you can see is crisp and easy to read, and it all looks modern and upmarket.

The screen doesn’t look bad, either, with smart graphics and all the usual functions, although the decision to keep buttons to a minimum has meant it has plenty to do. Even the climate control panel is hidden away in the touchscreen, and with so many things going on all at once, it seems to trip over itself occasionally.

How efficient is the Peugeot 5008 Hybrid?

Peugeot has given this basic hybrid version of the 5008 much the same hybrid system you’ll find in a 208, and though that might sound a bit puny for such a big car, it copes admirably. In the 5008 Hybrid, the system combines a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and a six-speed automatic gearbox, into which the electric motor is integrated.

That gives the car a maximum power output of 136hp, all of which goes to the front wheels, and offers drivers adequate performance. It isn’t fast by any stretch of the imagination, but it isn’t too sluggish, either. The only real problem is that when you need full performance, it requires the engine’s neck to be thoroughly wrung. At least the three-cylinder engine makes a nice noise when it’s pushed.

But performance is not the aim of the game for either the 5008 or the hybrid powertrain, and economy is way more important. Happily, the system leans on the electric motor more than you might expect, and the engine lies dormant for a surprising amount of the time. It’s less effective than it is in the 208, though, presumably because it’s simply lugging around a much bigger and heavier car.

Even so, it’s efficient. The official figures suggest it’ll burn about five-and-a-half to six litres of unleaded every 100km, and our test suggested that’s reasonably accurate. Certainly, something in the low sixes should be achievable. And for a big, seven-seat SUV, that really isn’t bad going.

Driving the Peugeot 5008 Hybrid

Creating an exciting driving experience was clearly not high on Peugeot’s priority list when it built the 5008, despite the claims that the small steering wheel and high-set instruments are supposed to make it feel like a go-kart.

And while the steering is light, and the response is fairly quick, that’s better suited to manoeuvring in a car park than tackling a winding road. As is the suspension, which has been built to provide a balance between comfort and body control but ends up failing to provide a remarkable amount of either.

Don’t get us wrong, it isn’t uncomfortable or bad to drive, but it could ride more smoothly, especially with just one or two people on board. Instead, the back-end bobs around very, very slightly, making the car feel a bit unsettled when there’s nothing in the boot and nobody in the back.

There’s a fair bit of wind noise, too, thanks in no small part to the bulky body, but there’s little in the way of powertrain noise, even when the petrol engine is running. That little 1.2 is remarkably smooth and makes a much more attractive noise than most four-cylinder alternatives.

So, while those looking for family transport will find the 5008 inoffensive, those seeking a big SUV as an off-roader or a tow car will be disappointed. Thus far, the only all-wheel-drive option will be electric, and this hybrid version has a maximum towing weight of just 750kg.

How safe is the Peugeot 5008?

Euro NCAP, the independent crash safety organisation for Europe, is still yet to assess the new 5008, so there’s no definitive word on how safe it’ll be. However, the old car received a five-star rating, albeit back in 2016, and the new model is expected to continue the success, particularly as it has so much safety equipment.

As standard, all 5008 models get a fleet of airbags and all the usual driver assistance technology, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and speed limit warning technology. Some of those systems are more useful than others, and some we’d switch off immediately, but they should all help the car score well with the Euro NCAP.

How many child seats can you fit in a Peugeot 5008 Hybrid?

Despite fitting the 5008 with seven seats, Peugeot has only given the car two ISOFIX child seat mounting points, which might put some buyers off. However, Peugeot reckons 80 per cent of its customers have two or fewer children, so the brand doesn’t expect it to be an issue for most.

How much does the Peugeot 5008 cost in Ireland?

Peugeot still hasn’t confirmed how much the new 5008 range, whether that’s hybrid or electric, will cost, but we’ll update this section when we find out more.

The reasons you’d buy a Peugeot 5008 Hybrid

Offering greater flexibility than the E-5008 and less charging hassle than either that or the plug-in hybrid, the 5008 Hybrid undoubtedly has appeal. But a lot will depend on the final pricing, because if this model is undercut by its plug-in hybrid and electric siblings, it’ll be difficult to justify.

Ask us anything about the Peugeot 5008 Hybrid

If there’s anything else you’d like to know about the Peugeot 5008, or indeed any other car on sale in Ireland, please avail yourself of our Ask Us Anything page, where you can ask our experts for their help, advice and opinions. It’s like having your own armada of experts on tap, and best of all, it’s completely free of charge.