Hyundai Staria vs Peugeot 5008

What's the difference?

The Staria Load HEV offers numerous advantages over its diesel equivalent including superior fuel economy, lower exhaust emissions, higher power output and a bigger payload. However, it also has a higher purchase price and no tow rating, so careful analysis of your specific work requirements will determine if Hyundai’s new hybrid van is fit for purpose.

Despite its new mild-hybrid powertrain and generous list of premium features, the Peugeot 5008 GT Premium Hybrid doesn’t always hit the mark. It’s not a bad car. In fact, it’s comfortable, stylish, and well-equipped. But it sits in a highly competitive segment where some rivals offer more space, more power, or better value.

It’s not the most versatile seven-seater on the market, but it will suit families who only occasionally need that third row. And that’s the theme here. The 5008 is sufficient. It does most things well enough, but in a class full of standout options, it doesn’t quite push through to the front.

The updated Staria Load range brings mild styling revisions of the headlights and front bumper along with a more conventional and (in our eyes at least) stylish grille design.

The roomy and practical cabin has also been refreshed with a new four-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel and a more spacious and versatile centre console (see Practicality).

The refreshed Staria Load is available only in a two-seater configuration, as the five-seater ‘crew’ variant with a bench seat in the cargo bay has been discontinued.

The redesigned 5008 essentially looks like a stretched 3008, with a more squared-off rear that adds some robustness but not necessarily extra style.

It’s nice enough from most angles, but not all of them. The front, however, is a different story. With its fresh grille design and sharp pixel LED headlights, it looks striking, and the signature Peugeot ‘claw’ light motif remains; a detail fans will appreciate. The flagship grade also gets a stylised C-pillar and 19-inch alloy wheels to round out the look.

Inside is where the 5008 really shines. Trust the French to bring some dramatic flair, as the cabin is a standout. A multi-tiered dashboard and centre console are finished in a mix of grey knit fabric and Nappa leather, adding texture and elegance. Soft-touch materials are used generously, and with interesting lines and layered details, there’s always something to catch the eye.

The panoramic sunroof brightens things up during the day, while customisable ambient lighting adds wow-factor at night. That said, the pixel-style lighting strips can be a bit trippy if you stare at them too long!

With its peak kerb weight of 2091kg and 3130kg GVM, our test vehicle has a one-tonne-plus payload rating of 1039kg which is slightly higher than its diesel sibling (997kg). And it can legally carry up to 100kg of that payload on the roof.

However, unlike the diesel version which is rated to tow up to 2500kg of braked trailer, our HEV variant is not rated for towing. Obviously, this could be a deal breaker for tradies and other users who rely on being able to haul trailers to get the job done.

The cargo bay is 2500mm long and 1640mm wide with (according to our tape measure) 1250mm between the rear wheel housings, which means it can carry up to two 1165mm-square Aussie pallets or up to three Euro pallets, secured by a choice of eight load anchorage points.

It can also accommodate load heights up to 1436mm and offers a total (VDA) load volume of 4935 litres. That’s a snip under 5.0 cubic metres which is significantly less than the 6.2 cubic metres offered by the segment-leading Toyota HiAce LWB. Walls and doors are lined to mid-height and there’s a rubber load floor covering.

The cargo bay is accessed through sliding doors on each side with 870mm openings (just wide enough for a Euro pallet) or through the rear via the standard swing-up tailgate. However, for working roles that need rear forklift access, optional twin-swing doors with 180-degree opening are available. Our example is also equipped with a sturdy mesh-type cargo barrier from Hyundai’s genuine accessories range.

The cabin is a comfortable and practical workspace with its work-focused vinyl floor (ours also has genuine accessory all-weather floor mats), dark fabric-trimmed seats and wipe-clean hard surfaces.

There’s also plenty of storage courtesy of a glovebox, two overhead shelves, wide-opening doors with three tiers of storage including large-bottle holders, long shelves on either side of the dash plus a cup-holder next to the driver’s instrument display.

The centre fascia adds a wireless phone-charging pad, two USB-C ports, 12V socket and more small bins while the new centre console between the seats provides a cavernous open bin and two cup/small-bottle holders.

When it comes to functionality and practicality, the new 5008 mostly hits the right beats. The beats it doesn't hit feel more quirky than full-fledged misses, though.

The first row is the clear winner for comfort, offering electric front seats with heating, ventilation, massage functions, expandable under-thigh support and adjustable lumbar and side bolsters.

That said, the passenger seat sits too high and is angled slightly forward in its base position, which made it tricky to find a comfortable setting for a long road trip.

The middle row features three individually folding seats, though they slide in a 60/40 split. At 4791mm long, the 5008 is on the larger side of the mid-size SUV segment, and that translates to decent legroom in the second row.

However, the seats are quite firm and set in a stadium-style layout. That raised position gives passengers a good view forward but means taller occupants will find themselves close to the roofline.

Amenities in the second row are solid, including climate control, manual sun-blinds, heated outboard seats and two USB-C ports. The only letdown is the fold-down centre armrest, which is frustratingly hard to open as it doesn’t have a toggle.

The third row is strictly kid territory. Access is manageable and the space is fine for children, but don’t expect adults to enjoy the ride. Even my eight-year old noted the limited amenities and legroom back there.

Access throughout the cabin is slightly awkward as the front footwells are flush with the door sills, but that changes towards the rear where the sill and floor levels shift, making it easy to tangle feet on entry until you get used to it. However, the 231mm ground clearance means it’s easy for oldies to get in and out.

Storage is well thought out, with a large ventilated centre console, glove box, centre console bin, phone cradle and sunglasses holder up front. The second row gets two netted map pockets and a small storage cubby under the rear of the centre console. There are cupholders in the first two rows and bottle holders in every door.

Boot space is decent for a seven-seater. With all three rows in place, you get 348L which is enough for a couple of school bags or a modest grocery run.

Fold the third row down and it expands to a useful 916L. There is an underfloor storage area but it disappears underneath the third row and the little space is hard to access if something rolls back there. A powered tailgate is standard on the GT Premium, though we found it didn’t open reliably from the external button.

Technology is fairly straightforward. The media display is responsive and includes sat nav, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the screen’s narrow, wide layout can make it easy to hit the wrong icon, and the lack of physical shortcut buttons means you’re relying heavily on the customisable on-screen panel. It didn’t bother me but my dad didn’t like it.

Charging options are good across the cabin, with USB-C ports in the first and second rows, a 12-volt socket and wireless charging pad up front and another 12-volt socket in the boot which third-row passengers can access in a pinch.

Don't bother looking for a spare of any description, a tyre repair kit is your only option.

The new 5008 line-up has been simplified to just two grades, the Allure and flagship GT Premium Hybrid, which we’re testing for this review. With a drive-away price of $73,705, it’s the most expensive top-spec, seven-seat mid-size SUV in its class.

For comparison, the Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid Urban drives away at $49,990, the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer at $63,130, and the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L e-Power at $59,990.

That higher price tag is softened somewhat by a generous list of premium features. You get Nappa leather upholstery, electric front seats (with heating, ventilation and massage functions), a panoramic sunroof, heated rear outboard seats, built-in sat nav and three-zone climate control.

New for this update is a 21-inch curved panoramic display that blends the digital instrument cluster with the central touchscreen.

You’ll also find pixel LED headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an AI voice assistant and over-the-air updates for the nav system.

Other standard features include keyless entry and start, a hands-free powered tailgate, four USB-C ports, two 12-volt sockets, a wireless charging pad, customisable ambient lighting, rear sun-blinds, a retractable cargo cover and a 360-degree camera system as well as front and rear parking sensors.

All up, the spec list justifies the GT Premium’s high-end position but make no mistake, you are paying for it.

The Staria Load HEV is powered by Hyundai’s 1.6 T-GDi (Turbocharged-Gasoline Direct Injection) hybrid drivetrain, which comprises a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 132kW at 5500rpm and 265Nm across a wide peak torque band between 1500-4500rpm. It also has combined CO2 emissions of 147g/km which is lower than the diesel’s 183g/km output.

This engine is paired with a single electric motor that produces up to 54kW of power and 304Nm of torque. Their official combined power output is rated at 180kW (50kW more than the diesel’s 130kW) but there’s no official combined torque figure, given the petrol engine and electric motor do not produce their peak torque values at the same time. Even so, based on our test drive, its torque is ample for mid-size van duties.

The six-speed automatic transmission replaces the conventional hydraulic torque converter with a hybrid electric motor/engine-disconnect clutch assembly. However, it still shifts and behaves much like a conventional auto, including the choice of sequential manual shifting.

It also offers three drive modes comprising ‘Eco’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Smart’ with the latter offering the best balance of performance and fuel efficiency which we mostly used during our test.

The hybrid system is also equipped with what Hyundai calls ‘e-Motion Drive’ which incorporates a series of automated control strategies for the electric motor that actively enhance chassis dynamics to optimise ride quality, handling and stability.

New front subframe bushings bring additional rough-road comfort while rear hydro bushings allow for more natural body movement over bumps. NVH (Noise/Vibration/Harshness) has also been addressed with greater noise insulation within the dash structure and body mountings.

All grades of the 5008 now share the same mild-hybrid powertrain, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. The set-up combines a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine with a small electric motor and a 48-volt battery.

Together, they produce 107kW and 230Nm, making it the least powerful offering compared to its rivals.

Performance is modest, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 11.3 seconds, so you won’t be winning any races. While there's more to consider for everyday driving than outright speed it factors into long highway trips.

Hyundai claims HEV combined consumption of only 6.5L/100km and the dash display was close to that at 6.8 when we stopped to refuel at the completion of our test. We covered a total distance of 339km comprising our usual mix of suburban, city and highway driving, of which more than 100km was carrying a heavy payload.

Our own figure, calculated from fuel bowser and tripmeter readings, came in slightly higher at 7.1L/100km. Even so, that’s outstanding economy for a mid-size commercial van in real-world use, given the much higher figures we recorded with a Toyota HiAce LWB (10.7L/100km) and Staria Load diesel (10.9L/100km) during our most recent tests of those models using similar test procedures.

So, based on our numbers, you could expect an extensive real-world driving range of around 900km from its 65-litre petrol tank, which is 10 litres less than its diesel sibling.

The new hybrid powertrain has a claimed combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel consumption figure of 5.1L/100km. With a 55-litre fuel tank that translates to a theoretical driving range of up to 1078km, which is impressive for a seven-seat SUV.

The regenerative braking offers mild feedback but obviously helps because in real-world conditions I averaged 6.1L/100km over a week of mixed urban and open-road driving. That’s not far off the official claim and still very respectable for a family hauler of this size.

Driving a hybrid van is no different to driving a non-hybrid van. Apart from accelerating, braking and switching between drive modes, the driver has no input in how the vehicle performs as it continuously monitors and distributes outputs from the petrol engine, electric motor and hybrid battery to ensure sufficient charge, good response and optimum fuel efficiency at all times.

So, the driver only needs to concentrate on driving while the hybrid components talk among themselves. You can feel and hear the smooth transitions between petrol and electric power which are also visually tracked by information on the digital screens.

Although the HEV has more power than its diesel sibling, we didn’t sense a dramatic performance increase given its kerb weight is also higher.

Even so, it’s an energetic performer with good acceleration from standing starts combined with surefooted handling and braking. The unladen ride quality is firm, as you’d expect given its one-tonne payload, but with enough suppleness to maintain acceptable ride comfort.

To test its GVM rating we forklifted 650kg into the cargo bay which with driver equalled a total payload of around 750kg. The rigid-beam axle/leaf-spring rear suspension only compressed about 20mm under this weight which ensured it had plenty of wheel travel remaining to avoid any bottoming-out on our test route.

It hauled this payload with ease which included our 13 per cent gradient, 2.0km set climb at 60km/h. Engine braking on the way down, in a manually selected second gear, was not as robust but within expectations given its relatively small 1.6-litre displacement restraining a heavy payload. Overall, this hybrid drivetrain is well calibrated for commercial van use.

However, for potential buyers doing regular highway travel, we recommend fitment of Hyundai’s genuine accessory solid bulkhead between the cabin and cargo bay, to insulate occupants from considerable tyre noise emanating from the rear wheel housings at these speeds.

You quickly learn the 5008's limits. It has enough power to get up to speed without feeling strained but there’s not much left in reserve. Overtaking is doable but not fast. It’ll get the job done, just don’t expect a burst of responsiveness once you're already cruising.

Steering has a nice, reassuring weight to it and helps you feel in control. The lane-keeping aid can be a little over-eager and tends to jiggle you around, but otherwise the driver assists don’t get in the way.

The suspension is on the firmer side, so you feel bumps on the road. That said, I never winced going over them, which speaks to how well it handles everyday surfaces.

Visibility is a strong point from the driver’s seat. The B-pillar is a little chunky, but the elevated driving position gives you a clear view through the front and sides.

You can feel the transition between the hybrid components, but it’s not jarring. However, the regenerative braking isn’t very strong. A bit more bite could help the driving experience, especially around town.

Parking is refreshingly easy. The 360-degree camera system's screen is small but clear, and the 5008’s relatively compact footprint for a seven-seater makes it easier to slot into tight spots. It’s a plus if you’re regularly navigating city streets.

At the time of writing, the new Peugeot 5008 remains unrated by ANCAP, which may be a consideration for some family buyers. It also features just six airbags which is on the low side for a seven-seater but the side curtain airbags extend to the third row, which is important.

Crash avoidance tech is comprehensive and includes autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring and intelligent seatbelt reminders for all seven seats.

In terms of child-seat accommodation, the second row offers two ISOFIX anchors and three top-tether anchor points.

The adaptive cruise control isn’t as well-calibrated as I’d like as it can feel a little slow to react and sometimes reacts to vehicles in side lanes. But otherwise, the safety tech works in the background without being overly intrusive.

The Staria Load HEV comes standard with a five-year/160,000km warranty and a separate eight- year/160,000km warranty covering the hybrid battery. There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which is renewable annually with scheduled Hyundai dealer servicing.

Scheduled servicing is every 12 months/15,000km whichever occurs first. Hyundai offers a five-year pre-paid servicing plan covering the first five scheduled services but pricing is calculated from a participating dealer's scheduled servicing prices at the time the plan is purchased, rather than a national standard set by Hyundai (hence the lower score in this segment).

The new 5008 is backed by Peugeot’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with five years of complimentary roadside assistance included.

While that’s fairly standard, it doesn’t quite match the longer coverage offered by some rivals, with several now pushing out to seven years or more.

Servicing intervals are spaced at every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first, which is generous compared to some competitors.

Peugeot also offers pre-paid service plans in three-, four-, or five-year packages. The five-year plan costs $1995, which is cheaper than paying as you go and reasonable for this class.