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I have serious doubts that there are people who have bought or intend to buy a Peugeot 5008 T8, but tradition dictates that in order to write about the Peugeot 5008 P87, I must also write about the first generation, and in this case, I’m not exaggerating when I say “generation.”

Especially when you consider that the MPV segment is quite obscure and defunct, and the Peugeot 5008 T8 is already an obscure MPV in an already obscure car segment. Furthermore, around 2010 the MPV was already being retired, but the French thought, “No, now it is the best possible time to launch a new MPV with a new nameplate.” So they launched the Peugeot 3008 for the mid-size class and the 5008 for the relatively large class, although it’s not that large. I mean, if you’re going to launch two MPVs at the same time, why build them on the same platform and give them roughly the same size? Why not focus on the larger ones and bring a real successor to the old 806 and take on the Galaxy or the Espace? Because the 5008 fits in the glove compartment of a Galaxy, but a Galaxy doesn’t fit in the glove compartment of a 5008. In fact, not even a picture of the great Robert Matthew Van Winkle fits in the glove compartment of a 5008, but that’s another story. The only real difference between the 5008 and the 3008 is that the 5008 comes with a third row of seats and can accommodate 7 people (more like 5+2), so why didn’t they make a 5+2 version of the 3008, like Renault/Nissan did with the Qashqai+2? Or like Peugeot/Citroen/Mitsubishi did with the Outlander / 4007 / C-Crosser? We’ll never know.

Peugeot 5008 T8 Engines

Petrol

• 1.2 Turbo EB2 PureTech of 130 horsepower – Somehow they thought it was a good idea to offer a 1.2 litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine on a 7-seater MPV. I think there was some really strong garlic in those baguettes when they made that decision, or maybe they just needed to meet emissions standards. In any case, I’d avoid this underpowered oil burner.


• 1.6 VTi EP6 of 120 horsepower – And the next step isn’t the most recommended either because the timing chain and carbon deposits on the valves are likely to break your financial legs. Because the little “Prince” gets to wreck it’s timing chain here too, and it has a more spotted reputation than Randy Orton’s underwear when he saw the Undertaker in one of the, quite possibly, worst WWE matches in history.


• 1.6 Turbo THP of 156 horsepower – So if you somehow have a bizarre fetish and want a first generation 5008 with a petrol engine, at least buy the turbocharged version and enjoy it. Same timing chain issues, but more power.

Diesel

• 1.6 HDi DV6 of 115 hp and 120 horsepower – We start the diesel section with an engine that’s okay for the 307 but putting it in the 5008, a car that should carry 7 passengers + luggage, is like having a public servant work. I would have said on weekends or public holidays, but I’ll leave it at “to work” in general. In addition to complementary injector issues, the 120 hp version is BlueHDi, which means it has an AdBlue system, and you need to constantly check the AdBlue level, otherwise the engine won’t start.


• 2.0 HDi DW10 of 150 hp and 163 horsepower – Realistically, they should have only sold the Peugeot 5008 T8 with this engine because it’s the only one that copes well with long journeys, with 7 passengers and luggage. And it’s a reliable engine.

Peugeot 5008 T8 Reliability Issues 

• The Peugeot 5008 T8 is quite expensive on the parts and maintenance side, and I’m not saying this because it’s a French car. For example, the brake calipers are replaced together with the brake discs. And it’s even more obscure than the film preferences of the quiet coworker. You know him, but you don’t want to know what he watches. And that means many parts are only available as OEM, and it will hurt.


• There’s no cup holder in the front, and there’s no storage space in general, and only the French at Peugeot could make an MPV like that. Because both Renault (Modus and Espace) and Citroen (C4 Picasso or Berlingo) are experts in optimizing interior space.


• The automated manual gearbox is not a good idea from any manufacturer, so I’ll pass. The positive side however is that the 2 litre diesel comes with a classic automatic gearbox that’s reliable as long as you change the oil every 37,000 miles / 60,000 kms. Pay attention however to the manual gearbox because in some cases, the clutch goes and takes the gearbox with it in extreme cases. So keep the clutch in check, just like Vinnie Jones kept his enemies tight and in line.


• The electronic parking brake is another recurring issue with cars from this period, from the Scenic to the Passat, so try to find a 5008 with a classic handbrake, but with such a rare car as the 5008 the issue is that you can’t really be picky about the market.


• All diesel engines with a particle filter also have a Eolys additive tank, and the Eolys needs to be changed every 60,000 miles / 100,000 kms, otherwise the engine won’t start if the tank is empty.

Peugeot 5008 T8 Verdict 

I don’t understand why they made a larger 3008 and sold it as a separate car. They could have made a 3008+2 / 3010, or they could have done a serious job and brought the successor to the old 806 and entered the race for the last chance, alongside the Galaxy and Espace. Because 2010 was the race for the last chance for MPVs. So the Peugeot 5008 T8 remains more of an automotive curiosity, and I needed this article to be able to write about its successor, which was light-years ahead.

Which engines do I recommend? I don’t recommend a petrol engine for the 5008, but I’ll still do it, and I’ll choose the 1.6 Turbo with 156 hp because I have to, but the only engine worth considering is the 2.0 DW10 with 150 or 163 hp, with an automatic gearbox. But good luck finding one.