Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 Peugeot 508 Fastback GT eHybrid 225 e-EAT8
Price: £48,390 (as tested)
Engine: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol and electric motor
Battery: 12.4kWh
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 224hp
Torque: 360Nm
Emissions: 28g/km
Economy: 193.6-274.8mpg
Range:
0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 149mph
Boot space: 487-1,537 litres
Styling
The old 508 was an attractive design, but the new model is even easier on the eye. The new front end integrates the grille more comprehensively than before, and it has made the car look much more modern. The new headlights help with that, too, including the three-stripe daytime running lights that replace the old car's 'fang' design. The basic shape is much the same, though, and that's fine by us. The fastback shape gives the car quite a distinctive silhouette, and there's no doubt it's a head-turner.
Interior
As with the exterior, the 508’s cabin hasn’t changed all that dramatically, but it’s quite a stylish interior and remarkably solid. There are a few ropey materials kicking about, but generally it’s pretty premium, and everything fits together rather well. Of course, it can’t quite compete with the premium brands – the Audis and BMWs of this world – but it’s competitive alongside products from the likes of VW and Ford.
The small steering wheel remains, much to the chagrin of some, but it’s now adorned with the new Peugeot logo, and the cabin has had a makeover with some fresh technology. The driver instrument cluster, for example, has been reworked with a new design, and there’s a new toggle-style gear selector. Satellite navigation is now standard, too, and though the new system is better than its predecessor, it’s still far from perfect. Better, therefore, to pair up your phone and use the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration tech.
Practicality
The updates have made no discernible difference to the amount of space available in the 508, which is just about ample despite the fastback styling. Sure, headroom in the back isn't brilliant, but legroom is more than sufficient and the boot is massive. In fact, at 487 litres with all five seats upright, it's almost as roomy as that of a BMW 3 Series Touring. Of course, the BMW's boot is a more useful shape, without the sloping rear window, but the 508 is available in estate form too, and that's a really spacious thing.
Performance
Unless you go for the go-faster Peugeot Sport Engineered 508, of which just a handful of examples are expected to sell, your choice of 508 engines is a simple one. Pick the basic 1.2-litre petrol engine, or strike out with the 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid tested here. Combining the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with a 110hp electric motor and a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery, the system produces a total of 224hp. That all goes to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and allows a 0-62mph time of around eight seconds.
More importantly, the battery provides an official range of between 34.2 and 42.3 miles, which should be enough for day-to-day driving to and from the shops, for example. But by testing the car in the chilly depths of December, we found that range was more than a little optimistic, and something in the region of 20 miles was more realistic, as long as we drove carefully. The best we got from a full charge was 18 miles.
That meant the onus was on the petrol engine, and though it's a decent powerplant, it doesn't have the smoothness or the character of the 1.2-litre unit that's available as standard. And unless your journeys are mostly very short and you charge every night, you probably won't save that much fuel by choosing the eHybrid. However, in the interest of fairness, we should point out that the figures don't tell the whole story. After an hour's drive down the M5, we saw the 508 use electric power 27 per cent of the time, despite the battery being in e-save mode, which maintains battery level. Over a 60-mile journey, the best part of 50mpg isn't bad for a 224hp car.
But even that can't hide the fact that for those on long drives, a 2.0-litre diesel engine would be a better bet. Peugeot used to offer one of those in the 508, and it was pretty good, but these days it's a straight choice between petrol and hybrid power.
Ride & Handling
Although the 508's powertrains may not be especially well suited to motorway cruising, the car's suspension and steering is. The tiny steering wheel feels a bit too lightweight to be considered fun, but it's fine, and the ride is much the same. There's a bit of innate softness that means the car rides pretty well at high speeds, and it's a relaxing thing in which to waft down the motorway.
It isn't bad in town, either, thanks largely to that steering, which makes it pretty easy to manoeuvre, although the turning circle isn't quite as brilliant as you might hope. Nevertheless, it's easy enough to bimble around in, and it's generally pretty quiet. It doesn't ride quite as well in town as it does on the motorway, however, but it's still comfortable enough. It just doesn't absorb the bumps quite as well.
Value
The 508 range offers customers a choice of just two trim levels: the basic Allure and the more upmarket GT. Both come with plenty of equipment – the Allure gets a reversing camera, 10-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as satellite navigation, 17-inch alloys and part-leather upholstery – but the GT gets a bit more to play with. A 360-degree manoeuvring camera, adaptive cruise control and 18-inch alloy wheels are all thrown in with the top-spec car, along with heated front seats. But while prices start from £34,170 for a basic 1.2-litre petrol engine, the hybrid will set you back almost £10,000 more. And our test car’s £48,390 asking price is steep for something that doesn’t wear a premium badge.
Verdict
The 508 was already a decent mainstream saloon, and the changes have made it even more appealing, but it seems destined to be a niche player. With this hybrid version costing more than a basic BMW 3 Series, it might be a difficult choice to justify for many. Though that’s a bit of a shame — the 508’s a nice motorway cruiser — it doesn’t have the dynamic appeal of a 3 Series or a C-Class, and though Peugeot may have updated the badge, it still doesn’t have the kudos of a premium saloon.
