Peugeot 508 - TopCarNews

Peugeot 508 (2018 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Peugeot 508 is a medium-sized liftback and estate model. The current version was launched in 2018, and is considered a big step up from its predecessor. The liftback body style was launched first, with the SW (estate) versions arriving about six months afterwards.

The 508 has received a wider range of scores than usual from the UK media, ranging from average to outstanding. Particular praise has been given to its striking design, comfort and safety levels, while criticisms have been made regarding its driving experience and practicality compared to rivals.

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized liftback and estateEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £25,044 on-road

Launched: Spring 2018Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 508 SW GT estateScore: 7.9 / 10“The Peugeot 508 SW is a car to turn the heads of those looking for a premium estate, offering striking visuals, efficient engines and plenty of technology.”
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Score: 8.4 / 10“The Peugeot 508 surprises in many areas. It’s highly attractive and offers quality in both construction and performance. It’s a worthy consideration as an alternative to a premium-market car.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Liftback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Peugeot 508 is not the roomiest car in its class by any means, but with its attractive looks and entertaining handling it should satisfy drivers who want a bit of fun from their family saloon.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Allure liftbackScore: 8 / 10“The Peugeot 508 plug-in is pricey, but low running costs should help offset this. Its dynamics are fine, if not fun, while the level of kit in Allure trim is great. However, while there’s lots of tech, some of it could be better thought out and executed.”
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Model reviewed: GT Line 1.5 BlueHDi 130 EAT8 SWScore: 8 / 10“The sloping roofline hides a deceptively versatile body, with a flexible and spacious interior trimmed in some of the finest materials on the market.”
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Model reviewed: 508 SW estateScore: 8 / 10“Given its average boot size, the Peugeot 508 SW is a car you’ll have to purchase with your heart rather than your head.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol auto GTScore: 7 / 10“Handsome, frugal and good to drive, the Peugeot 508 offers plenty to the large family car class. There are rivals that are more spacious, but little comes close in terms of style. We’d avoid this top-spec petrol GT model, though, as there are more affordable yet well-equipped options lower down the range.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel auto GT LineScore: 8 / 10“The all-new Peugeot 508 is exactly that: all new. It shares so little with its predecessor, in fact, that it’s difficult to fathom why the firm kept its name. While it can’t match the badge appeal of its German rivals, it puts up a fair fight in a highly competitive class.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Estate rangeScore: 10 / 10“If you want a spacious family car with good looks that isn’t an SUV, then the 508 Station Wagon could be up your street. It’s spacious, has a quirky interior with lots of good tech, drives well and comes in petrol, diesel and hybrid forms.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid SWScore: 8 / 10“This is a car that looks alluring and rides comfortably, and holds its head pretty high among both mainstream and premium alternatives. It has a cabin that impresses initially, and Peugeot’s i-Cockpit gets a little better every time. The opportunity to burn very little, if any, fuel in your daily commute can take the Peugeot 508 from interesting alternative to compelling front-runner.”
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Model reviewed: Estate rangeScore: 6 / 10“You’ll need to satisfy yourself that the Peugeot 508 SW is the right car to meet your particular tastes and family transport requirements. And our hunch is that, whatever those tastes or needs may be, there will be one or two others that do it better.”
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Model reviewed: Puretech 225 GT SWScore: 7 / 10“A modest 40mm lengthening and 17mm taller roofline has pushed boot capacity to a commanding 530 litres, up from 487 in the fastback, with split-fold rear seats raising that figure to 1780 litres.”
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Model reviewed: GT Line 1.5 BlueHDi 130 Auto SWScore: 6 / 10“On the inside, the car retains the ability to pleasantly surprise you with its quietly lavish trim materials, its widescreen infotainment system and digital instruments.”
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Model reviewed: 508 SW estate GT-Line 180 PureTech petrol automaticScore: 8 / 10“There are more well-rounded and dynamically engaging estates out there – and there are certainly more affordable ones, too. But as a left-field alternative to the likes of the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-Class Estate, the Peugeot 508 will certainly have its fans.”
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Score: 8 / 10“The 508 is certainly a job well done for Peugeot, and it’s a car we’d have no qualms about recommending to someone looking for an alternative, contemporary French take on a well-worn – and predominantly German – saloon car theme.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 508 SW estateScore: 8 / 10“The Peugeot 508 SW is an unusually good-looking estate car with the extra merit of being instantly recognisable among the hordes of brand-themed German rivals.”
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Score: 8 / 10“To these eyes, the Peugeot 508 GT is the best-looking front-wheel drive executive car from any mainstream car maker, or ‘high-end generalist brand’ as Peugeot defines itself. It has a likeable, easygoing character, with a decent ride/handling balance and compelling civility. And the digitised cockpit is a knockout.”
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Car Keys

Score: 8 / 10“The Peugeot 508 has glamorous styling and is comfortable and refined.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GT liftbackScore: 10 / 10“The Peugeot 508 is the best car to come from the firm in a long time. With stunning looks, an impressive chassis and bags of technology on offer, there’s every reason to consider a 508 over established German rivals. It’s not flawless, but none of the issues are earth-shattering.”
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Carbuyer

Score: 8 / 10“Peugeot has upped its game with its latest 508, a big hatchback that could give premium rivals a fright.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: 508 SW estate rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Peugeot 508 SW is a seriously stylish estate car with a lovely looking interior and plenty of cool tech, but alternatives are more spacious and more fun to drive.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Peugeot 508 has its alternatives licked on looks both inside and out, plus is comfy to drive, but it’s not as spacious or practical as other family cars.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel automatic Allure liftbackScore: 7.9 / 10“An impressive and head-turning design, the Peugeot 508 also manages to back up the style with substance in terms of RV, emissions and quality, although it’s far from cheap.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid automatic estate SW AllureScore: 10 / 10“There are some negative bits, like the eccentric tiny flat-topped and bottomed steering wheel. But if you’re as taken by the Peugeot 508’s styling as I am, and you want a new practical and spacious family car, this is it.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel automatic GT Line SW estateScore: 10 / 10“Any sensible person would buy this new Peugeot 508 SW – and anyone with an eye for style too.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel automatic GT Line liftbackScore: 8 / 10“It looks great, drives well and had a certain amount of fun that you don’t get with the rivals. On top of that it’s something to impress the neighbours – they won’t even know it’s a Peugeot.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7 / 10“A declining market it may be, but the new 508 is good (if not thrilling) to drive, attractive and comfortable.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: Hybrid 225 GT liftbackScore: 8 / 10“The same smart looks, combined with added useful electric range and lower running costs – but it is expensive.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual Allure liftbackScore: 7 / 10“The new Peugeot 508 looks good, it feels agile to drive, and it’s economical, but is let down by turbo lag and too many controls on the touchscreen.”
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Honest John

Score: 8 / 10“The 508 represents the pinnacle of PSA’s attempt to move the Peugeot brand upmarket and in this it succeeds admirably. It’s not quite in the same league as the BMW 3 Series or Jaguar XE in terms of driving dynamics, but it’s pleasant enough for most drivers.”
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Model reviewed: 508 SW estateScore: 10 / 10“The 2019 Peugeot 508 SW enhances the theme established by its hatchback sibling. Great looking. Comfortable. Terrific to drive. Full of all the latest tech. And, for cynics of French cars, outstanding, almost unbelievable quality and refinement.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Fastback rangeScore: 8.2 / 10“Stylish Fastback looks great and drives well”
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Model reviewed: SW estate rangeScore: 7.8 / 10“Interesting and good-looking alternative to premium rivals”
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The Sun

“Peugeot’s 508 keeps the faith in saloons and is a mighty fine car with its sporty exterior and minimalistic interior.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 508 SW GTScore: 6 / 10“Fast, but noisy; wafty at speed but fidgety around town; smart inside but not all that spacious. The 508 SW GT might look good on paper, but in the flesh it feels confused and unresolved. If you want this rakish estate’s good looks and slick interior, a lesser model will feel more rounded – and cost much less.”
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Model reviewed: 508 SW estate 2.0-litre diesel automaticScore: 6 / 10“The Peugeot 508 is a good looking car and, for the most part, a fine-riding one. But there’s a few too many slips in development, not everyone will like the i-Cockpit and rivals offer more for less.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol automatic liftbackScore: 8 / 10“The company is approaching this the right way, not discounting, protecting buyers’ investment, and there is rather a lot to like about this great-looking car, particularly the sporting handling and lovely interior. The forthcoming estate might be a better all-round bet, however.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: SW (estate) rangeScore: 6 / 10“Not the most rounded family estate, but the big Peugeot 508 SW oozes desirability. Much cooler than a 3 Series.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback rangeScore: 7 / 10“A big French saloon might be an oddball choice, but the 508 looks bold, feels good and drives (mostly) well.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: SW range reviewScore: 6 / 10“If you fancy a little French flair in your life but practicalities dictate the need for a wholesome estate car, may we suggest looking at the Peugeot 508 SW?”
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Score: 6 / 10“The Peugeot 508 makes plenty of sense as a company car and scores well for safety, but plenty of rivals are more practical and better to drive.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: 508 SW plug-in hybrid estateScore: 7.4 / 10“The option to use electric power only adds to the Peugeot 508 SW’s appeal. It’s a great car to drive, once you’ve got used to the intricacies of its controls, and the design inside and out makes it feel like something special. As with any plug-in hybrid, though, you’ll need to think about your specific requirements.”
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Model reviewed: Estate rangeScore: 7 / 10“Stylish estate with an upmarket feel.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback rangeScore: 6.8 / 10“Impressive alternative to German rivals.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2018

96%

ADULT OCCUPANT

86%

CHILD OCCUPANT

71%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

79%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

More safety recognition

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Peugeot 508 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Peugeot 508 has received

2019

Business Car Awards – Best Upper-Medium Car

2018

Carwow Awards – Style Award
International Automobile Festival – Most Beautiful Car of the Year

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