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There’s something refreshingly different about the 2025 Peugeot 5008 Hybrid.
It’s not trying to be a faux-tough off-roader, nor does it fall into the usual seven-seat SUV trap of bland box-on-wheels design. This is a car that dares to inject a bit of joie de vivre into family motoring and does so with substance to back up the style.
Now in its third generation, the 5008 has evolved into something genuinely compelling. It blends French sophistication with everyday usability, adds in clever hybrid tech that doesn’t ask you to plug in, and tops it off with a stunning cockpit that wouldn’t look out of place in a concept car.
And the best part? It won’t cost you luxury car money. Let’s unpack it.
Design that turns heads, even in suburbia
Peugeot has absolutely nailed the visual language here.
The 5008 is bold, athletic, and downright handsome for a vehicle that can carry seven humans and a weekend’s worth of camping gear.
From its ‘claw effect’ LED pixel headlights (just like those seen on Peugeot’s ballistically quick 9X8 Le Mans race car) to the chiselled front end and dramatic rear light bar, this is a family-friendly SUV with genuine road presence.
The 5008 is a 100 per cent anti-generic crossover. There’s a distinctly European attitude at play here. One that feels proud to be a Peugeot. You can thank designer Matthias Hossann for that; he’s the same guy responsible for much of Peugeot’s recent design renaissance, including its space-age hyper-racer.
Peugeots have always looked more appealing than their rivals and have always been a joy to drive, even on the daily commute.
A cabin that could belong in a sci-fi film
Step inside and things get even more futuristic.
The centrepiece is Peugeot’s new 21-inch curved i-Cockpit panoramic display.
Presented in a beautiful sweep of digital real estate that combines driver info and multimedia in one seamless panel, it’s immersive, crisp, and miles ahead of most rivals in this segment. It’s also the only screen setup that can justifiably claim ‘floating’ status.
You also get Peugeot’s signature compact steering wheel (which still divides opinion, but I’m firmly in the “love it” camp), along with configurable i-Toggles, which are essentially virtual shortcuts for climate, navigation, or whatever functions you use most. It feels advanced and properly sporty, but not gimmicky.
Material quality across the cabin is impressive too, with tasteful use of soft-touch surfaces, vibrant ambient lighting, and metallic trim that wouldn’t feel out of place in a high-end luxury car. The cabin is an exciting place to be no matter how brief or long the journey might be. The 5008 Hybrid is properly playing in premium territory now.
Space for seven, without the squeeze
Unlike some so-called seven-seaters that are really 5+2s in disguise, the 5008 is genuinely usable for families.
The second row easily slides fore and aft by 150mm, making access to the third row easier than most. And when you don’t need those extra seats, they fold flush into the floor.
Boot space is enormous: 348 litres with all three rows in place, 952L in five-seat mode, and a whopping 2232L with everything folded flat behind the front seats. Whether it’s a road trip, Ikea haul, or a weekend of kids’ sport, it’s more than up to the task.
There are thoughtful touches everywhere, including USB-C ports across all three rows and even a flat floor in the second row to make life easier for middle-seat occupants.
A hybrid that just works: No charging required
Peugeot’s 48V mild-hybrid system pairs a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a 21kW electric motor integrated into the dual-clutch automatic transmission.
No, it’s not going to pin you to your seat with outputs of 107kW and 230Nm, but it’s silky smooth, frugal, and doesn’t ask you to change your habits.
It’ll switch to electric-only propulsion in traffic jams and car parks, and recuperates energy during deceleration to improve fuel-efficiency. In the real world, expect 5.1L/100km on the combined cycle – impressive for a seven-seat SUV.
It’s a setup that suits urban families perfectly. You don’t need to find a charger or worry about electric range. It just works in the background, reducing emissions and fuel bills.
Composure, comfort and grip when you need it
On the road, the 5008 rides with that classic French suppleness that so many brands have forgotten.
The suspension is beautifully tuned for comfort without feeling floaty, and body control is excellent, even when the car is fully loaded.
It’s hard not to wax lyrical about the ride comfort because it’s that good, but when it comes to seven-seat SUVs of this size from a traditional luxury brand you’d have to spend north of $140k to get this level of ride comfort.
Steering is also nicely weighted and responsive, while the hybrid system’s electric boost smooths out gearshifts and low-speed acceleration nicely.
Importantly, there’s no turbo lag from this three-cylinder engine, which is comforting when pulling out of busy junctions. There’s even a terrain-select function that adapts the traction control for snow, sand or mud , which is handy for those occasional trips off the bitumen.
While it’s not a sporty SUV by any means, it is a rewarding one to drive and that matters more in this segment than many people might think.
Safety and tech: Nothing left on the table
Peugeot’s safety suite is fully loaded. Think autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centring, plus blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a high-res 360-degree camera.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are keyless entry, wireless phone charging, and over-the-air software updates.
GT Premium models get all the fruit, including heated and massaging seats, heated second-row outboard seats, and even a heated windscreen for frosty mornings.
Honestly, the level of spec on show here in the 5008 Hybrid makes many of its rivals feel decidedly undercooked.
Verdict: French sensibility meets Aussie reality
The 2025 Peugeot 5008 Hybrid feels like the perfect SUV for modern Australian families who want space and versatility without sacrificing style, comfort or efficiency.
It dares to be different, and in doing so manages to tick all the boxes that matter.
Prices start from $55,990 plus on-roads for the Allure, with the flagship GT Premium coming in at $67,990. There’s an extensive inventory of creature comforts even in the entry-level Allure, but it steps up significantly with the top-spec GT Premium.
If you’re looking for something outside of the usual suspects, something that feels a little more thoughtful and a lot more premium, this is it. The 5008 Hybrid might just be the most underrated family SUV on sale right now.
Take a Peugeot 5008 Hybrid for a test drive and tell me I’m wrong.
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