The seven-seater sport-ute category is definitely one of the most sought-after segments by Filipino car buyers today. With such a high demand, Peugeot Philippines jumps in as a more aggressive player by introducing its featured-packed, Malaysian-made model with pricing going toe-to-toe with more established rivals.

Just a month after presenting the Malaysian-assembled 3008 compact crossover, Eurobrands Distributor Inc., the official importer of Peugeot vehicles in the country, has revealed the 2020 5008 in all its stylish glory.

Offered in one trim—called the Allure—the largest crossover in the Peugeot stable comes at an attractive price of P2.19 million, making this vehicle more affordable by almost a million bucks versus the European-sourced 5008. Not only does this three-row SUV provide seating for seven, it also comes packed with a plethora of driver-assist, comfort, entertainment and safety amenities.

Under the hood of this 5008 is a 1.6-liter twin-scroll high-pressure turbo gasoline engine (the same Euro 6-compliant mill that propels the 3008), producing 165hp and a healthy 240Nm available at an early 1,400rpm. The source of propulsion is complemented by a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers power to the front wheels.

The exterior has retained its muscular yet sleek styling from the 5008 I drove a couple of years ago. That isn’t a bad thing at all, as I feel the design language hasn’t aged a bit and still radiates with strong road presence. The front and rear parts are the most distinct features of the body, which now stands on 18-inch, new-design alloy wheels.

Inside, the 5008 boasts plush Claudia leather seats, Brumeo Compier fabric, satin chrome bits and soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. From the pilot’s seat, the digital displays and controls (including the paddle shifters) embody the driver-centric nature of the 5008, almost resembling a jet fighter’s cockpit. The panoramic sunroof with ambient lighting adds a premium touch.

Another new feature is the automatic liftgate with leg-motion sensor for easy access to the boot. Despite only having 167L of cargo space with the third-row seat upright, the luggage area becomes considerably more spacious for hefty items when third-row seats are folded flat, resulting in a generous 952L of room. That expands to a total of 2,150L with the second-row seats folded down as well, turning the 5008 into a serious hauler.

The infotainment system—consisting of an eight-inch multi-touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, phone-mirroring and a built-in navigation system—is wired to six speakers.

Driver-assist and safety technologies abound in the 5008. These include lane departure warning, speed limit recognition, adaptive cruise control, hill ascent/descent control, advanced grip control, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, antilock brakes, electronic stability program, and a total of six airbags.

At the launch event, Peugeot Philippines business development director Dong Magsajo was excited to announce the fortification of the brand’s after-sales service. On top of the standard three-year warranty, a two-year extension has been tucked in. That’s a total of five years (or 100,000km, whichever comes first). To sweeten the deal, a year’s worth of preventive maintenance service (inclusive of parts and labor) now comes free. Magsajo added that Peugeot’s main showroom in Pasig is now providing service on a 24/7 basis.

The new 5008 Allure is available in Pearlescent White, Nera Black, Amazonite Gray, Emerald Crystal and Aster Gray. With Peugeot Philippines’ more competitive pricing and improved after-sales service, will the brand be able to finally catapult itself to mainstream success? We can only hope for the best.