A year with the Peugeot 508: frameless-door styling, i-Cockpit cabin, boot space, 130 hp diesel vs 225 hp hybrid, known issues, safety and GT equipment.
Please note: this review reflects around a year behind the wheel of a 508 plus 2023-2024 specification data. Engine choices and trims differ from country to country and have changed since, so check what's currently on sale near you.
Mid-size saloons have become a niche as buyers flock to SUVs, which makes the 508 a refreshing choice. It's low, sleek and unashamedly stylish, and it competes with cars like the Volkswagen Arteon, Skoda Superb and Toyota Camry by leaning on design and cabin quality rather than sheer size. After about a year of living with one, this is my take on who it suits and what to watch out for.
Frameless doors and a fastback shape. The current 508 swapped the traditional three-box saloon for a coupe-like silhouette with frameless side windows and a sloping roof. The boot is actually a hatchback-style tailgate, which matters for practicality (more on that below).
A face that's been sharpened over time. The car has been updated more than once, and each revision has made it more striking. The latest facelift (2023) brought a slimmer light signature, a more prominent grille and the now-familiar three-claw LED daytime running lights beneath the headlights. GT models add gloss-black grille and mirror trim.
Proportions that look expensive. A long bonnet, low roofline and sharp, flowing body lines give the 508 an athletic stance even standing still. At the back, the "lion claw" LED tail lights are instantly recognisable at night.
Inside it's classic modern Peugeot: the i-Cockpit layout with a small steering wheel, a high-mounted digital instrument display and a central touchscreen. I'm a big fan of the unusual watch-strap-style upholstery, and quality is excellent, with carbon-effect trim and soft-touch materials on most surfaces. It feels far more special than a typical family saloon.
The updated infotainment system is a clear step forward: the touchscreen is easy and intuitive to use, full-screen navigation looks great, and the 12.3-inch digital instrument display is cleaner and easier to read than earlier versions. Below the screen, a row of chrome "piano key" switches gives you shortcuts to the main touchscreen menus, which is much easier on the move than prodding the screen.
Ambient lighting, customisable on some versions, adds a pleasant atmosphere at night, and the optional Focal hi-fi system is one of the best audio upgrades in the class.
The front seats are well shaped and stay comfortable on long drives. Knee room in the back is adequate, but the rear backrest is set at a fairly upright angle, and the sloping roof means very tall passengers will notice the limited headroom.
The boot is generous for a fastback, with 487 litres available with the rear seats up (some Peugeot material quotes 478 litres). Thanks to that hatchback-style tailgate the opening is wide, and an electric tailgate makes loading easy when your hands are full. The rear seats fold for longer items, and there are hooks and small compartments to stop shopping sliding around.
The 508 has been sold with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power, but what you can actually buy depends heavily on the market. In some countries the range was cut back to a single 1.5 BlueHDi diesel with 130 hp by late 2023.
1.5 BlueHDi 130 (diesel): a four-cylinder turbo diesel paired with the EAT8 eight-speed automatic. It's frugal and smooth enough for daily use, and it pulls well in the mid-range. On paper, expect roughly 4.5-5 l/100 km on average, varying with how and where you drive.
225 hp plug-in hybrid (the one to have): the most powerful version in the regular range and, in my opinion, the output this car deserves. It gives the 508 the effortless pace its looks suggest. If you're buying new and performance matters, the 130 hp diesel can feel underpowered in a car this size; if you mainly cruise, it'll do the job comfortably.
The EAT8 gearbox is a strength in both cases. Shifts are smooth, it adapts to your driving style, and it helps keep fuel use down. A drive mode selector (Eco, Normal and Sport) lets you tailor throttle and gearbox response.
For more detail see our Peugeot 508 engine and performance review and the 508 plug-in hybrid review.
On the road the 508 is composed and reassuring. The suspension irons out rough surfaces well, the cabin is quiet at speed, and the steering responds keenly. It's a relaxing long-distance car that still feels alert on a winding road.
There are few widely reported problems with the facelifted car, but two are worth knowing about:
Beyond those, owners mostly talk about the comfort and driving quality rather than faults. Stay on top of servicing and the 508 should be a dependable companion. If a warning does appear, our guides to Peugeot 508 red warnings and orange warnings explain what each light means.
The 508 earned the full five stars when Euro NCAP tested it in 2018. You can read the full Euro NCAP report here.
Standard and optional safety kit included:
Tech: i-Connect Advanced with a 10-inch HD touchscreen, 3D navigation and eCall; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; a 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument display; two USB ports in the front armrest, two for rear passengers and two 12V sockets.
Comfort: keyless entry and start, dual-zone automatic climate control, an electric tailgate, AGR-certified heated front seats, a perforated leather GT steering wheel, folding heated door mirrors with puddle lights, auto-dimming frameless rear-view mirror, automatic lights and wipers, and the E-Toggle gear selector.
Style: 19-inch two-tone diamond-cut "Augusta" alloys with locking wheel nuts, Alcantara and leather-effect upholstery with Aikinite stitching, aluminium pedals and kick plates, and blue ambient lighting in the doors, console and cupholders.
The Peugeot 508 is one of the best-looking cars you can buy at this price, with a cabin that matches the exterior for flair and quality. It's comfortable, refined and generously equipped, though rear headroom and the upright back seat are compromises of the shape. My advice: if you can, go for the 225 hp hybrid. The 130 hp diesel is efficient and perfectly usable, but the hybrid makes the 508 feel as good to drive as it looks.
New to the 508's dashboard? Our guide to what the Peugeot 508 warning lights mean is a good place to start.
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