What Car? Green Awards 2010 - MPVs

Best Buy Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDi 110 Active
The 5008 WAS our favourite MPV in this year’s Car of the Year Awards. As it did then, here it ousts its predecessor, the closely related Citroën Grand C4 Picasso. Although they share the same enormous cabin, clever seating system and 1.6-litre diesel engine, the Peugeot has the edge because it feels better to drive and ride in.

Read our review of the Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDi 110 Active

Improved body control, firmer suspension and more feel through the steering than the Citroën mean the Peugeot gives the impression of being better planted on demanding roads, so children are less likely to feel car sick in the back, while the driver can properly enjoy the car when driving solo.

The interior is a step up from the Picasso’s, too, with a smart dashboard design and plenty of stylish, soft-touch plastics. Of course, the 5008 wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t also a terrific seven-seater: there are three individual seats in the middle row, and all seven can slide and recline, so everyone can get comfortable (although the rear pair of seats are better suited to kids than adults). What’s especially clever is that the five rear-most seats instantly fold flat in one action. Put them all down and you have an enormous, van-like cargo area that’s easy to load thanks to a low boot floor and lip; fold away just the two rear seats and you can carry a family’s holiday luggage; seven up and you can still fit in the weekly shopping.

Best combination of engine and trim
Regardless of its green credentials, this model is the best combination of engine and trim on offer in the 5008 range: the 107bhp diesel engine keeps costs down and is plucky at any speed. It’s smooth and quiet, too. Entry-level Active trim misses out on items such as alloys, electric rear windows and driver’s seat height adjustment, but it has all the essentials covered. What you don’t miss out on is safety kit: there are front, side and curtain airbags as standard, plus stability control, while deadlocks, marked parts and an integrated stereo make life difficult for thieves.

On top of all its talents as an MPV, this model’s average fuel economy of 53.2mpg and 140g/km of CO2 mean it’s as efficient and kind to the planet as you could hope for from a car of this size and versatility. Along with relatively low servicing and insurance costs, it’s reasonable to run, too. The same figures make it a fine company car; a 20% rating means lower-rate taxpayers pay just £62 a month.

This is an MPV that scores highly on every front, and also boasts class-leading efficiency and low emissions.

Green car fact file: MPVs







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