Peugeot 5008

• The engine is a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 180 hp and 300 Nm of torque. This is better than many naturally aspirated engines but still lower than what you get in larger SUVs. It pairs with a 6-speed automatic transmission and is smooth most of the time
• The turbocharged engine is decent for daily city driving to navigate through city traffic. The 300 Nm of torque gives good pull when you need to accelerate. The engine works quietly when you drive normally, but it gets noisy when you push it hard.
• The 200 mm of ground clearance is perfect for Saudi city speed breakers and roads. 

Some Realities:

• When the car is fully loaded with seven passengers and luggage, you will notice the engine working harder, especially on highways.
• The engine is turbocharged, which is excellent; they are known for lag, which is noticeable when you start from a standstill.
• Front-wheel drive is the only option. This means that when you accelerate hard, the steering wheel pulls slightly to one side. 
• Check on the fuel economy claims, and expect a little less than what the brochure or sales rep says. 

• On smooth highways, the ride is comfortable. The cabin stays quiet at normal speeds. Wind noise and road noise are controlled well up to about 100-110 kph.
• The high seating position gives you a good view of traffic. This helps in busy Saudi traffic where you need to see over other cars.
• The panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel bigger and brighter.
• Parking a 4,791 mm long SUV can be difficult, but the standard rear parking sensors and camera help a lot. The GT trim's 360-degree camera makes tight parking spots much easier to handle.

Things That Matter More:

• The 180 hp engine is okay for highway driving, but it is not powerful. When you need to merge into fast-moving traffic, you have to plan ahead. 
• Handling is basic, as you get the sense of how it leans while on corners. The steering is light and easy for parking, but it gives you almost no feedback about the road. This is not a problem for daily driving, but it means the car does not feel exciting or sporty.
• Noise insulation is acceptable but not great. The engine sounds rough when you accelerate hard. 
• The 6-speed automatic transmission works well most of the time, but it can be confusing.

• Both variants have Peugeot's special i-Cockpit with a small steering wheel and a high digital instrument screen. The base variant gets a 12.3-inch digital cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen; the GT features a 10-inch touchscreen with better graphics. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on both.
• The base trim has fabric seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a 180-degree rear camera, a leather steering wheel, keyless entry with push-button start, and a 10-speaker sound system. On the top end, there are full leather seats, LED matrix headlights, a hands-free powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera system, active parking assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and navigation.
• The 5008 offers seven seats in a 2-3-2 layout. The second row has three individual seats that fold and slide. The third row has two seats that fold completely into the floor.
• Cargo space is 916 litres when you use five seats (the third row folded down). This is much bigger than most compact SUVs. With all seven seats up, you get 348 litres, which is about the same as a small hatchback. 

What's Missing:

• The i-Cockpit layout is very different. Some drivers love this setup; others may not. It is subjective, depending on what you like. 
• Interior materials are mixed quality; the top parts of the dashboard and door panels have soft-touch materials that feel nice. But the lower parts use hard plastics. For a car that costs SAR 152,000–171,000, you can expect better quality everywhere.
• The third-row seats are small. Headroom is tight, legroom is limited, and getting in and out is difficult. The third row is best used for short trips or children.
• The second-row seats are better. Two adults can sit comfortably, even on long trips. But three adults across the second row will feel cramped.
• The 10-inch touchscreen looks modern, but the software is not the fastest. Sometimes there is a delay when you press buttons. Climate controls are inside the touchscreen instead of having physical buttons.

• Both variants come with six airbags: dual front, front side, and curtain airbags. ABS, electronic stability programme, electronic brake distribution, traction control, brake assist, hill-start assist, and tyre pressure monitoring are standard on both trims.
• Both trims also include ISOFIX anchor points for child seats, seat belt warnings, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, cruise control, and keyless entry with push-button start.
• The GT trim adds advanced driver assistance systems: adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, driver attention alert, and a 360-degree camera system. The GT also gets active parking assist that can park the car for you.

Things to Consider:

• Six airbags are good and better than the two or four airbags some competitors offer at the base level. This is one area where Peugeot did well.
• The Allure trim does not have advanced driver assistance systems. For a car priced at SAR 152,950, features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring should be standard, not only on the expensive GT trim. Many competitors now offer these features even on base models.
• The 5008 has not been crash tested specifically for the Middle East market.
• Peugeot's dealer network in Saudi Arabia is limited.
• The warranty is 3 years/unlimited mileage for the first two years, then 3 years/100,000 km for the third year. This is okay but not as good as rivals. 

If you are someone who has resale in mind earlier, then look for the brand's overall perspective in KSA. It may not fetch you great value 2 or 3 years down the line, certainly not like a Toyota or Nissan or even a Korean brand. However, this shouldn’t concern you if you are buying it for the long term.