Ten Second Review

The Peugeot 508 is one of those cars that's far more accomplished than you expect. With great ride quality, tonnes of equipment, a range of economical engines and plenty of space inside, what it loses in styling individuality compared to the 407 it more than makes up in technical excellence.

Background

Is there some sort of unwritten rule that dictates that if a country borders the Mediterranean then the small cars it produces will by default be better than its big cars? For years that seemed a reasonable maxim to guide buyer behaviour, with Italian, French and Spanish companies in particular doing most of their best work with small cars. Peugeot is a case in point, with its best loved vehicles being the 205, the 106 and the 306. It seems that, of late, Peugeot is attempting to set this historical precedent aside. Its 3008 and 5008 MPV models are both excellent and now the 508 saloon is tasked with the job of replacing not just the reasonably successful 407 but also the chronically underperforming 607 as well. Although its styling is less extreme, it's a good deal smarter both inside and out and recent form suggests that this Peugeot could be in with a fighting chance.

Driving Experience

The prime expectation of a larger French car is that it should ride well. If it can't overcome this obstacle then it's up against it from the get go. The 508 passes this test with one qualification. The mainstream models ride superbly. Go for the 204bhp 2.2-litre GT range-topper, and you get some uprated fully independent front suspension and big alloy wheels which means that it actually has a slightly busier ride quality than the rest of the range which is odd given its grand touring pretensions. Spend less and you get a vehicle with great ride and more than acceptable body control. Plump for a petrol engine and you'll select from either a 120bhp 1.6 with an EGC sequential gearbox or a 156bhp 1.6 turbo unit fitted with a manual transmission. Go diesel and the choice is a little wider, with the 112bhp 1.6 e-HDI with EGC and FAP particulate filter marking the entry point, with the models then progressing through a manual non-FAP 112bhp 1.6, 140 and 163bhp 2.0-litre HDi units. The 156bhp petrol engine is a gem and the 2.0-litre diesel units are also well worth the incremental cost over the 1.6-litre. The headline economy and emission figures for the 508 are all sourced from vehicles fitted with the EGC gearbox. Unfortunately it's far from the best example of its ilk, managing to be slow-witted and jerky on many upchanges. Yes, you can learn to drive around its foibles by feathering the throttle when you sense it's about to execute a gearchange but I'm a strong believer in technology adapting to us and not vice versa. Should you instead decide on a traditional manual 'box instead, you'll find the six-speeder is a sweet-shifting unit.

Design and Build

At 4.79m long, the 508 saloon is quite a big unit, adding almost five centimetres to the length of the old 407. This doesn't tell the whole story though, the 508's massively longer wheelbase ensuring that the cabin genuinely does feel like a class above, especially when it comes to rear seat accommodation. The boot is a good size at 473 litres and with the rear seats in place it in fact offers more carrying capacity than its 508 SW estate sibling. Even if a thief gets into the vehicle it may well be more than the work of moments to find your gear given the sheer amount of cubbies, drawers and pockets inside the 508. Those in the cabin alone total 22 litres and include door pockets that can hold 1.5-litre bottles. The level of fit and finish is easily on a par with mainstream rivals, and after getting out of a new Volkswagen Passat and straight into the 508 at a recent driving event, I had to set preconceptions aside and admit that the French car felt a smarter and more upmarket place to be.

Market and Model

Compare the Peugeot to most German rivals and it demolishes them on the value front by packing in way more standard equipment for the price. This used to be motoring journalism shorthand for saying that the company was trying to divert you with gadgetry but in the 508's case it's just the spur that could convert many wavering buyers. The key trim level in the line up is the SR model, which targets business buyers and includes satellite navigation, cruise control, dual zone air conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels. Another feature that's sure to become more widespread in years to come is the SOS system, which alerts the emergency services to your whereabouts in the event of an accident. The range opens with the Access trim which features daytime running lights, air-conditioning and electric windows all-round. The there's the SR and the Allure model which sees half-leather electrically adjustable and heated seats, rear parking sensors, keyless go and a panoramic sunroof. Fork out for the GT and you'll receive the aforementioned upgraded suspension, full leather upholstery, a colour heads-up display and xenon directional headlights.

Cost of Ownership

Although Peugeot isn't ignoring the needs of private buyers, it freely admits that by far the majority of 508 sales are coming from business customers and inroads into this market are impossible without a range of fuel efficient, low emission engines. Most will be drawn to the diesel offerings and the cleanest of the bunch is the 109g/km 1.6-litre e-HDI with the EGC gearbox and Start/Stop system. If you prefer a manual model, then that figure rises to 124g/km. The cleanest of the petrol engines is the 144g/km 1.6 VTi 120 but the markedly more powerful 1.6 THP 156 unit is only marginally worse on emissions at 149g/km. Those looking to cap their fuel bills will certainly be impressed by the 508. The range's best performer is the 1.6 e-HDI with a combined figure of 64.2.8mpg. The punchier 140bhp diesel isn't far behind at 58.9mpg and even the sporty 156bhp petrol engine manages over 44mpg. Peugeot has learned a lesson from the heavy discounting it undertook to try to shift 407 and 607 stock, this in turn having a distinctly deleterious effect on residual values. A new-found confidence in the product it's attempting to shift might mean less conspicuous bargains for new buyers but it will spell better returns further down the line.

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