BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A PEUGEOT 5008 FROM OSV: http://bit.ly/2V7kafE

Peugeot's second generation 5008 switches market categories - from MPV to SUV. It can still seat seven though.

Peugeot returns to the family-orientated seven-seat SUV segment with this second generation 5008 model. It's more targeted at Surbiton than the Serengeti but that's what buyers want these days. These people will love the integrated mobility solutions that can slot into the boot - and the luxurious, spacious cabin. It's also notably efficient and very safety orientated.

Background
Back in 2007, an explosion in consumer interest in SUVs left Peugeot scratching its head a little. The French brand had no contender of that kind to offer and needed a short-term stop-gap model to compete in this growing segment. So the marque turned to Mitsubishi, whose Outlander 4x4 was re-branded as the Peugeot 4007. That car stayed on the market until 2012, when it was replaced in Europe by a smarter-looking 4008 model we didn't get in the UK.

When the time came to replace the 4008, Peugeot knew that British buyers would want the new design - the car we're going to look at here, badged '5008'. The first generation 5008 was an MPV. Now, this moniker has been applied to a spacious seven-seat SUV. Is it any good? Let's find out.

Driving Experience
Despite this 5008 model's switch to SUV genre, Peugeot won't be offering it with 4WD, which won't really help with the rough and ready market positioning. In compensation, an 'Advanced Grip Control' system is being offered for extra traction on slippery surfaces. And there's 'Hill Assist Descent Control to ease you down slippery slopes. The car is being offered with two petrol engines - a 130bhp 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech unit with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. And a more powerful 163bhp 1.6-litre powerplant, which will be offered only with auto transmission.

Most 5008 customers though, will want a diesel, probably the 130bhp 1.5-litre BlueHDi unit; the older 1.6-litre BlueHDi unit continues on too, in 100 and 120bhp forms and in its pokier guise can be had with an EAT6 auto gearbox. If you want a bit more pulling power - as you might if you'll regularly be using this car to transport seven people - then 150bhp and 180bhp versions 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel models are also available.

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