Thinking of getting a Peugeot 508?
The style of the car
The Peugeot 508 is one of the best-looking large family cars. The latest version (sold new from 2018) is a five-door hatchback; older models are four-door saloons. Both are also available as an estate, badged 508 SW. The latest version looks particularly distinctive, especially the high-spec models which have tooth-like vertical ‘daytime running lights’ at the front.
How it drives
The 508 feels light and responsive, which makes it both easy to nip around town and quite good fun on winding country roads. It’s a quiet and comfortable long-distance motorway cruiser, too. The 508 is available with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, plus hybrid options. They all give good acceleration. Manual and automatic gearboxes are available. All models have parking sensors to aid manoeuvring.
The interior
The 508 is a large, five-seat family car that’s roughly the same size as the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia. The latest version is a hatchback; older models have a saloon body. The hatchback has plenty of space for four adults and three children will fit comfortably across the back seat, giving it pretty good credentials as a family car. Its sleek styling does restrict back-seat headroom a little, however. The boot isn’t as large as that of some rivals but it’s big by most standards, with space for four large suitcases. The high-tech dashboard takes some getting used to but is fairly user-friendly and feels well made. All models come with smartphone connectivity, air con and cruise control.
Running costs
The 508’s petrol and diesel engines are very fuel-efficient for this type of car. According to official figures for the latest version, petrol models give fuel economy of 36mpg to 49mpg and diesels give 45mpg to 63mpg. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model has an official average of more than 160mpg but what you get in the real world will depend on how often you charge the battery and where and how you drive it. The maximum electric-only battery range is 39 miles – after that, you’ll be using the petrol engine alone. Safety organisation Euro NCAP gave the 508 a full five-star rating.
How it compares with similar cars
The 508’s rivals include the Volkswagen Arteon and the Skoda Superb. It’s not quite as spacious as either of those but it’s a practical family car nonetheless. It looks great outside and in, feels good to drive and is excellent value.
