On the road: Peugeot 5008 Sport HDi 150

I can't say for certain, because I've never tried it, but I'm confident that if you were to feed into a computer comprehensive information regarding my likes, dislikes, sensibilities, anxieties, lifestyle preferences, habits and pleasures, and then ask the computer in which location in the world I'd least like to find myself nursing a hangover on Saturday morning, the answer it would come up with is Aqua Splash at Leisure World near Hemel Hempstead. Which is perhaps one of the reasons the place – a riot of throbbing music, water slides and the preening tattooed forces of youth – is such irresistible heaven to my daughter. And why we found ourselves heading there recently, two adults and a party of five screaming girls. In the normal course of events – ie, with our own average-sized hatchback – that number wouldn't be doable. Well, it would, but only with the kind of arrangements – sitting on laps, etc – that nowadays kids, who are all extensively versed in health and safety legislation, would simply laugh out of court. Fortunately, we were in the new Peugeot 5008 Sport HDi. So you just lift the back row of two seats from the boot, and this sensibly compact MPV fits seven. No problem. The latest addition to the Peugeot stable is spacious, comfortable and, thanks to a large sunroof, generously light filled. Nor is it bad looking. That needs to be emphasised because it is loosely based on the Peugeot 3008 , the CUV (crossover utility vehicle) that was defaced by its ridiculous "Jaws" grille. But the 5008 is all clean lines and clear purpose. There is no crossover here, no "hybridisation", no confusion, just a well-made car doing what it's meant to do – conveying a maxi family pack of people with mini effort. What more could you want? Well, actually, nothing. I was content to drive all the way up the M1 to Leeds, and beyond. The car was such a smooth pleasure, with easeful steering and the kind of suspension that insulates you from life's uneven breaks. The sound insulation was good, too, with the engine scarcely audible above the screaming. Given the impressive turn of speed, the commanding driving position and controls laid out for the driver's convenience rather than novelty's sake, I was enjoying myself so much I never wanted to stop, in particular anywhere near Hemel Hempstead. But Aqua Splash is where I did stop. And it was only three hours of infernal joy before I could get back in the 5008 and luxuriate in the southbound M1. "Enjoyed by families, loved by drivers" is the slogan and, for once, that seems about fair. It made a big splash with me. Peugeot 5008 Sport HDi 150 Price £21,195 Top speed 121mph Acceleration 0-62mph in 10 seconds Average consumption 48.6 mpg CO2 emissions 151g/km Eco rating 6/10 Bound for Leisure World In a word Festive