Peugeot e-5008 review: the world’s best electric seven-seater?

Meet Peugeot’s first electric seven seater - the e-5008.

Okay, we’ll level with you. That might not sound exciting, but when you bear in mind that it’s also going to be its first seven-seat hybrid, and its first seven-seat plug-in hybrid, it’s actually quite a big deal.

We’re focusing on the electric version, which combines a 73kWh battery with an electric motor. You can also have a 96kWh version, which gives an impressive electric range of up to 410 miles, and a performance-oriented dual-motor version.

Charging speeds max out at 160kW, which is claimed to be good enough for 62 miles of range in 10 minutes or 20-80% in 30 minutes. This is pretty good, but it’s not all that much better than rival models from Tesla, Kia or Hyundai.

The 211bhp, front-mounted electric motor feels capable enough of hauling the 2218kg seven-seater without much protest. We can't fault its refinement, either.

Peugeot is no stranger to using electric motors and batteries and this combination feels like the culmination of all of its efforts and experience. It is quiet, refined and simply blends into the background. What’s more, it builds speed gradually rather than kicking you in the back of the head, which means it never feels intimidating.

That being said, the 9.7sec 0-62mph time means that it is reasonably fast with one or two people on board, but when you have seven people and their luggage on board, it might struggle to build up speed as fast as you want it to. If this is a priority, we would recommend the dual-motor version, which will offer 310bhp and four-wheel drive when it arrives early next year.

Around town its chunky 55-section tyres help to to deal with potholes quite well, although the noise of the tyre entering said pothole can ricochet around the airy cabin and make it sound more impactful than it actually is.

Its boxy proportions mean that once you're up to speed, there is more wind and tyre noise than you really want, which is a pity but hard to avoid in a car of such proportions.

That being said, it is 33mm longer and 31mm wider than the Skoda, so it feels roomier inside, especially for third row occupants. Here, two adults will be able to squeeze in for short journeys, but children have more than enough room. Third row access is quite easy thanks to wide-opening doors, but some USB outlets or air conditioning vents wouldn’t go amiss back there.

Moving to the second row and you'll find that one of the three ISOFIX seating points has been removed in favour of wider seat bases in the outermost seats. Peugeot says this was done in the name of comfort, and it has largely paid off. What you lose in practicality you gain in long-distance comfort; these are some of the most absorbent seats in the class. Legroom is more than enough for children and adults, and even with the optional panoramic sunroof headroom isn't an issue either.

Standard equipment is generous. You get a 21in curved infotainment and instrumentation display, tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a reversing camera and interior pre-conditioning.

The 21in curved infotainment and instrumentation display is generally fine to use, being clear and responsive if initially a little cluttered with multiple menus and functions. There is, however, a useful row of shortcut buttons beneath it for important functions such as the sat-nav, air conditioning, vehicle settings and ADAS systems. But overall you're having to take your eyes off the road for far too long as you're getting used to its functionality.

With the third row in place, you get 348 litres of boot space, and with it folded you get 916 litres, both of which are class-leading figures.

Around corners, the e-5008 is pretty impressive. Of course, we are speaking in relative terms here. There is no getting away from the inevitable body lean and additional interior ambient noise that comes with a vehicle of such proportions, but what impresses us is how well the 5008 manages it all.

All told, the e-5008 is a refined, well-priced and reasonably efficient seven-seater that does everything it needs to do in order to succeed. If only its powertrain offered a bit more performance and its third row more creature comforts, but it’s still a strong performer.