"Quiet and Elegant"...French Sensibility in a 7-Seater, the Peugeot All-New 5008 [Outstanding Mobility]

\r\n\r\n\r\n[Financial News] The light turns green, and your foot settles on the accelerator. The car glides forward on electric power alone. As speed builds, the 1.2-liter gasoline engine wakes up smoothly and joins in. The first thing you notice in slow-moving city traffic is how quiet it is. This is the French family SUV, the Peugeot All-New 5008 Smart Hybrid.
The All-New 5008 is the third-generation model, completely redesigned for the first time in 10 years. Peugeot describes it as a "true French SUV," with every stage from planning and design to production carried out in France. Built on Stellantis' next-generation electrification platform, STLA Medium, it pairs that architecture with a Smart Hybrid powertrain to improve both space efficiency and driving efficiency.
\r\nAt first glance, the car's face stands out. A floating emblem at the center and a gradient front grille define the front end. The layout is shared with the Peugeot E-5008, and the grille and headlamps flow into one another without a clear boundary.
\r\nWhat catches the eye is the lighting. Beneath the pixel LED matrix headlamps, three vertically stretched daytime running lights, shaped like a lion's claws, drop down in a long line. It is a Peugeot signature used across several models, and it becomes even more striking at night.
The side profile is finished with black roof rails and matte gray DLO molding. The rear is capped off with 3D LED taillights and horizontal lettering. It measures 4,810 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, 1,705 mm in height, and has a 2,900 mm wheelbase. Compared with the previous generation, it is 160 mm longer overall and has a wheelbase that is 60 mm longer. Although it is still a 7-seater, the body size feels closer to the next segment up.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOpen the door and sit in the driver's seat, and the first thing you notice is the 21-inch curved display stretching across the center of the dashboard. Rather than combining two screens, Peugeot has created a single curved panel that bends toward the driver, reducing the need to shift your gaze. The brand's i-Cockpit concept appears here in its most refined form yet. That said, the layout places the instrument information above the steering wheel, which may not suit everyone and could take some getting used to.
The seats are trimmed in Nappa leather and come with heating, ventilation, massage functions, adaptive bolsters, and AGR certification. That is a rare package in this class. Even during a short test drive, the seats felt both supportive and comfortable. They hold the back and waist firmly, while the bolsters secure your sides in corners.
Space is one of this car's strengths. The second row uses three individual seats, each with sliding, reclining, and 40:20:40 folding functions. Even three adults can sit side by side and adjust their posture comfortably. Heated seats, side window sunshades, and air quality monitoring are also included.
\r\nThe third row is especially notable. It consists of two independent seats with a 50:50 folding function, and the "Easy Access" feature opens up entry space by pulling the upper lever on the second-row seatback. The extra 60 mm in wheelbase is most apparent here. In most 7-seater SUVs, the third row is too tight for adults and is usually folded away, but in the 5008, an adult still has a little room in front of the knees. It would be hard to call it spacious, but it is usable for short trips or when needed.
The trunk starts at 348 liters with all seven seats in use, expands to 916 liters with the third row folded, and reaches up to 2,232 liters with the second row folded as well. That is large for an imported SUV in this class. With a fully flat load floor, it can be used for car camping or camping trips, and it also comes with a power tailgate, kick-motion function, and under-floor storage in the third row.
The heart of the drive is the Smart Hybrid system. It combines a 1.2-liter PureTech gasoline engine, an electric motor, a 0.9 kWh battery, and the e-DCS6 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with the motor integrated inside. The system is based on 48V architecture and is classified under Korean regulations as a mild hybrid. Peugeot uses the term Smart Hybrid to describe a setup that integrates the electric motor into the transmission to improve efficiency.
\r\nPeugeot says the key difference from a conventional mild hybrid, which only assists the engine, is that this system can also drive on electric power alone. In actual use, the engine often stayed off when pulling away from a stoplight or moving through slow traffic, and even when it restarted, vibration was minimal. It suits Seoul's stop-and-go traffic well.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCombined output is 145 horsepower, based on European certification standards. That is enough for city driving and light overtaking. Regenerative braking engages quite clearly as soon as you lift off the accelerator, so it may take a few days to get used to.
Combined fuel economy is 13.3 km/L, and the car is certified as a Class 2 low-emission vehicle in Korea, which means discounts on public parking and reduced congestion charges. Thanks to its small displacement, vehicle tax and insurance costs are also relatively light. Peugeot also offers a maintenance program that replaces consumables such as engine oil and filters free of charge five times over five years.
The All-New 5008 is produced at Peugeot's Sochaux plant in France. Founded in 1912, it is the brand's oldest production base and has been operating for more than a century. Unlike global platform-sharing models or region-specific variants, this one is built in France.
Prices are set at 48.9 million won for the Allure and 55.9 million won for the GT trim. The GT trim is limited to 300 units for the launch. With the individual consumption tax cut applied, the Allure costs 48.14 million won and the GT 54.999 million won, and buyers can also receive benefits for families with multiple children. Peugeot says this is the lowest price among the countries where the 5008 is sold, even lower than in France itself. It is aimed at the space between domestic midsize SUVs in the 40 million won range and domestic luxury SUVs in the 60 million won range.
Bangsil, CEO of Stellantis Korea, said, "The All-New 5008 is a model that considers not only space and efficiency for families, but also the joy of driving." She added, "In particular, we have set a competitive price for the Korean market, so it should be an attractive option for customers looking for a new alternative in the family SUV segment."
It was only a short test drive around Seoul, but the character of the All-New 5008 came through clearly. This is not a car that excites the driver with flashy acceleration or brute force. Instead, it focuses on quiet electric driving at low speeds, a driver-centered cabin, and space for family passengers. For drivers who need family-friendly room but want something different from the usual family SUV, it is worth putting on the test-drive list.
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eastcold@fnnews.com Kim Dong-chan Reporter