Name: Peugeot 508 Review
Item: Peugeot 508
Author: Gumtree.com

When the Peugeot 508 landed in 2010, it was heralded as a return to form for the French manufacturer. Peugeot bills the car as a fastback, an evocative term in keeping with its sleek, low-slung looks. It’s not a case of style over substance, however. Punchy engines help it hold its own in the crowded executive car class against rivals such as the Ford Mondeo, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, while the hatchback gives it a practical edge over saloons with their narrow boot openings.

Check out the Peugeot 508 model page to learn more and explore available cars.

What we think about the Peugeot 508

The Peugeot 508 is a gorgeous-looking executive car with the practicality of a hatchback.

Pros

Cool looks

Good fuel economy

Punchy engines

Cons

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Back seats difficult to clamber in and out of

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Some of the fit and finish not up to rivals’ level

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Restricted visibility

The 508 was launched in 2010 and restyled in 2014 with modernised equipment and a new diesel engine and gearbox. In 2018 it underwent a fairly comprehensive redesign, giving it a more muscular front end and upgraded interior. The 508 PSE hybrid supercar landed in 2020. The Peugeot 508 is available in four key trim levels: Active, Allure, GT-Line and GT.

Driving performance of the Peugeot 508

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

The 508 is equipped with a drive mode system that allows you to pick from Sport, Normal and Comfort modes for steering, transmission and throttle calibration. For a car of this size it feels agile, especially at higher speeds, even if it can’t match the steering precision of rivals such as the Mondeo or the 3-Series. A firm suspension means it hugs the tarmac and resists lean around corners. The 1.6 PureTech 180 petrol engine feels easy and responsive, though you’ll have to work it quite hard from low revs, while the hybrid option is quiet and smooth.

Safety and reliability of the Peugeot 508

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

The Peugeot 508 received the full five stars from Euro NCAP in 2018. All models are fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian and cyclist detection and a reversing camera. There’s also a night vision system with an infra-red camera, 360˚ parking sensors and systems such as adaptive cruise control and active blind spot monitoring. To help keep drivers aware and alert there’s speed limit recognition, lane-keeping assist and driver fatigue warnings.

Under the bonnet of the Peugeot 508

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The 508 comes in petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions. The 1.6-litre petrol engine is available in 180 bhp or 225 bhp guises, and either should enable you to burn past slow-moving traffic with a satisfying sporty roar. For those who regularly make long drives, a diesel will make more sense, with the 130 bhp 1.5-litre model the pick of the bunch. It’s not the quickest, but its economy is impressive and it has plenty of punch for the motorway. The plug-in hybrid offers the best economy and will get you around 30 miles on pure electric power.

What you'll find in the Peugeot 508

Our Design Rating9 / 10

If you’re not quite ready to graduate to a sensible family car, or don’t think you ever will be, the 508 could be for you. The post-2014 models, in particular, are seriously cool looking, with elegant lines, sporty pillarless doors and sharp LED daytime running lights flanking the front end. The rear is simple and understated, with a smoked tail-light finish and black central finisher. The low-down and muscular shape combined with the hatchback demonstrate that for those looking for something other than an SUV or conventional sedan, there is a viable alternative.

Comfort and interiors in the Peugeot 508

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

The style continues inside, with high-end materials and a lovely digital screen. Peugeot’s i-cockpit set-up is divisive – some drivers love the small, low steering wheel that you look over the top of to read the instrument panel, others find it awkward. You need to try it out to see which camp you fall into. One area where the 508 lags behind some of its rivals is occasional instances of uneven fit and finishing, for example in the lines across the dash.

What features you'll find in the Peugeot 508

Our Features Rating8 / 10

Even an entry-level 508 is well kitted-out, with features including voice recognition, smartphone mirroring, a leather steering wheel and dual-zone climate control. Step up to the higher-level trims though, and you’ll feel like you’ve scored a bargain on a premium car, with highlights including heated front seats, sporty styling such as GT Line badges and a foot-operated electric tailgate.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Peugeot 508

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

The most efficient version is unsurprisingly the plug-in hybrid, with claimed combined fuel consumption of 166-235 mpg. Relying on fossil fuel alone, the 1.5 BlueHDI 130 diesel is the most efficient, with a claimed 62 mpg when married to the eight-speed automatic gearbox. The faster petrol models return 44 mpg and 42.2 mpg.

Running costs of the Peugeot 508

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Insurance costs are competitive with others in its class, with most versions sitting in groups 21 to 24. You might have to pay a bit more for servicing than you would for some of its rivals, but the 508 should hold on to 39% of its value after three years, which is pretty decent considering the declining sales of new family hatchbacks.

Our verdict of the Peugeot 508

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Peugeot is a very cool-looking car that proves a family ride doesn't always have to be just sensible.

Peugeot 508 Review