Peugeot has decided that the best way to design a car for families might just be to ask the real boss of the household: the dog.
Meet the Peugeot E-5008 Dog Edition Concept, a one-off design study that imagines what happens when you build an SUV not just for dogs, but from a dog's point of view.
Designed to get tails wagging
A new IFOP survey, carried out for the 30 Millions d'Amis Foundation, suggests 64 per cent of dog owners plan to bring their pets on holiday, while more than six in ten say their dog influences where they go in the first place.
So Peugeot has leaned into the reality that many "family cars” already have a four-legged decision-maker onboard.
Developed with Stellantis Design Studio, the E-5008 Dog Edition Concept starts with a simple question: what if the car experience was shaped by how a dog sees, feels and travels?
A cocoon for humans and hounds
The concept uses the five-seat E-5008 as its base, chosen for its space and practicality for families, children, luggage and, crucially, dogs who think they are children anyway.
Inside, everything has been tuned to canine senses. The colour palette is inspired by how dogs perceive colour, with calming blues and more stimulating yellow tones used throughout. Soft, non-slip materials are used to make the cabin feel more comfortable and less ruff (not sorry) for paws, snoots and tummy-wummies.
Peugeot describes it as a "sensory cocoon”, which is a much nicer way of saying that your pampered pooch now travels like royalty.
There is also a modular mattress system that moves between the boot, rear seats and outdoor use. It even transforms into a proper dog bed at the destination, so your pet can maintain the same level of comfort from the driveway to the holiday park without having to negotiate unfamiliar bedding.
Then there is the Window Headrest, which is exactly what it sounds like: a dedicated resting spot for dogs who consider window-watching a full-time job.
A mutt's nuts kit list
Peugeot hasn't stopped at cushions and clever naming.
The E-5008 Dog Edition Concept includes a connected harness, interior protection, integrated bowls, luggage for both owner and pet, a signature toy, and even a V2L-powered pet dryer stored under the boot floor.
It also builds on Peugeot's existing dog-friendly accessories, such as boot protectors and dog guards, for owners who prefer their SUVs to remain chew-resistant.
Paws-itive travel for furry family members
Beyond the physical design, the concept also adds digital features aimed at making travel easier for pet owners.
Navigation can suggest charging stops near parks or walking areas, and the Dog Guardian Mode maintains cabin temperature, enables remote monitoring, and alerts the owner if anything unusual happens while the dog is briefly left in the car. There is also Dog Retriever mode, which helps call a lost dog back to the vehicle and recognise its return.
Why production is pawsed on this puppy
Peugeot is clear that this is not heading into production. Instead, it is a design laboratory exercise created with Stellantis Design Studio to explore how mobility could evolve when you take non-human passengers seriously.
Hugo Nightingale, Global Creative Director at Stellantis Design Studio, said, "It was the first time I had to see the world from a dog's perspective in order to design a car. As a dog carer myself, this project was as unusual as it was inspiring. It encouraged us to rethink every detail through the eyes of those who share our everyday adventures."
Peugeot states that the E-5008 Dog Edition Concept celebrates "the bond between dogs and their owners while exploring, with creativity, humour and boldness, new ways of imagining family mobility.” For now, it seems the ultimate dog-friendly SUV is being kept on a leash, but it's certainly given the automotive world some paws for thought.