Peugeot’s large 508 saloon has always been a great looking car since first launched in 2010. A few facelifts since then, notably in 2015 and a significant one last year, changed the look from saloon to a coupe-inspired style that combines clean body lines with frameless doors.
This high-end motor is a sleek, low-slung, comfortable yet practical car that would grace an executive car park or a family’s drive way.
The 2023 facelift included a new face, the large grille now sweeps across the front, a new signature lighting system with three-claw LED daytime running lights integrated into the headlamps, and Peugeot's new Lion Shield emblem. Lights at the rear have also been upgraded while the Peugeot name is spelt out across the black bar that connects the rear lights. My entry level Allure version sat on very smart looking 17-inch wheels.
As this is a very low vehicle, tall people will have to bend their heads down low to gain entry. While the car looks like a saloon, it is what’s called a Fast Back which means the tailgate opens up like a hatchback.
Step inside, and you’ll discover a really lovely and comfortable cabin with high quality fit and finish and a two-tier dash. You sit down low but this adds to the sporty feel. Seats were clad in a nice mix of fabric and imitation leather and front ones had manual adjustments. I found my driver’s seat extremely comfy. You have to move up a grade for power adjustments and front seat heaters but the manual ones are fine.
We’ve become accustomed to the automatic gearbox toggle switch selector on the central console in many of the other Stellantis Group brands, and it works really well. Peugeot’s i-cockpit with its compact size steering wheel is still a matter for debate. I find I move the wheel more than in cars with ‘ordinary’ steering wheels. The driver’s instrument panel is clearly visible above the flat topped steering wheel.
The colourful 10-inch touchscreen is angled towards the driver. Colourful new graphics add their own cheer. But I found this infotainment screen a bit fiddly to use especially for the climate controls but the Home button in a row of silver shortcuts buttons below allows you adjust the dual zone climate control with up and down arrows. Touchscreen functions include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over the air upgrades. The steering column extends back far and the driver’s screen can be customised to suit your preference.
I was quite surprised at the amount of good space available in the rear given the sloping roofline. Tall people will find it difficult enough to get into the car, but once inside will have just enough head room to feel comfortable, and enough legroom even when seated behind a 6.2-inch person in front. The transmission tunnel is quite low which allows some foot space for the person in the middle seat. This seat back lowers to reveal two cupholders and a hatch to the boot. There are two USB C-type ports.
The 487 litres of boot capacity can be expanded to 1537 litres with rear seats folded down. My car didn’t have a power tailgate but had with a bespoke rubber mat and a 12V power socket.
The entry level grade is well kitted out with keyless entry and start, all round parking assistance, dual-zone air conditioning, Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, navigation, voice recognition, 180deg rear camera, front collision warning, road edge detection, and blind spot detection. The mid GT spec adds Adaptive Cruise Control, front and rear cameras with touchscreen display and 360deg top view of the area around the car, 18-inch alloys along with aluminium pedals, leatherette and Alcantara seat trim, and power tailgate. The top PSE spec adds Nappa leather, heated seats and massage function, Night Vision, wireless smartphone charger, and an exclusive exterior design.
Customers can choose from petrol, diesel or Plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) options. Engines are a 1.2 petrol with 130hp, a 1.5 diesel 130bhp, and a Plug-in hybrid4 outputting 180bhp/225bhp/360bhp; all are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. My review car was the 1.5 diesel with a healthy 300Nm torque. The 0-100km/h time of 11:00 seconds doesn’t really show that this is a really good car to drive with progressive acceleration that will suit many drivers for their everyday use and offering a smooth, comfortable drive.
Each engine type has its own suspension. While the official combined fuel return is circa 5.0 L/100kms, my fuel return after one 60km drive that took in country roads and motorways was a truly remarkable 3.3 L/100kms equal to 85.6mpg. So hurray for this diesel car and its almost 1,000kms or so fuel range which will certainly prove very economical for those who have longer commutes.
Priced from €50,295 for the Allure PHEV. Annual tax is from €140-€210.
