GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Peugeot - 508 - Sedan and wagon range

Our Opinion

We like
Refinement, quality, value, styling, wagon’s elegance, equipment levels, steering, performance, space, versatility
Room for improvement
Firmer than ideal ride thick pillars

18 Jul 2011

PEUGEOT really needed to pull something out of the hat with the new 508.

The preceding 407 felt old way before its time, hampered by leaden dynamics, poor interior packaging, sub-budget-brand quality and a comical proboscis that looked too long even for Pinocchio.

It was acutely disappointing because the 407 looked good on paper back in 2004. The double-wishbone front suspension, common-rail diesel technology and Peugeot’s bold new design direction had us hoping for a modern-day classic.

But it was soon outclassed by the VW Passat in 2005, the 2007 Ford Mondeo looked and drove better, and almost every other rival felt roomier – especially the cheaper Skoda Superb.

The 508 – with its sober styling, return to MacPherson strut front suspension (GT model excepted) and smaller-capacity powerplants – seemed almost like an over-reaction to the 407’s weaknesses, but has something of the earlier 406’s character – if not sheer beauty – with handsome and uncluttered lines, much better proportions and eye-catching details.

We haven’t experienced a more appealing contemporary French cabin, either. Swathed in a quality ambience, there is nothing flashy or futuristic about the dashboard, but we failed to fault the harmonious layout, super-clear instruments, supportive seats, spacious surrounds or quality.

We prefer the 508’s more masterful cabin presentation to the Passat 125TDI Highline, and that’s a complete turnaround after the flaky 407.

We do not like the thick pillars (the scourge of modern car design) as far as vision is concerned and reckon Peugeot should have made the centre console’s red lighting white a la Audi A8 (after all, the instruments’ dials and info window displays are), but on first acquaintance the 508 is a real winner here.

However, winning us over with interesting design and an inviting cabin that is big on quality as well as space is only half the story.

As the larger of the three turbo-diesel options are the only models available for the time-being, we sampled the Allure 2.0 HDi in both sedan and wagon guises, as well as the GT 2.2 HDi performance flagship.

The volume-selling 120kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with six-speed automatic is a revelation – quiet, smooth and certainly powerful and torquey enough to make the Allure models feel more than sufficiently fast and powerful.

Furthermore, each boasted fast, natural and responsive steering, backed up by flat, involving and secure handling balanced by generous levels of grip. Far from feeling stodgy like the 407, the newcomer marks a welcome return of the Peugeot driver’s car.

For all its refined yet punchy turn of speed, though, the Allure 2.0 HDi lacks the dynamic verve and spirit of better mid-sizers like the Mondeo. Peugeot once (405 and 406 era namely) built arguably the best-steering family cars on earth, but now they are merely very good. More feedback and finesse is what’s wanted.

Worse, the suspension is not as pliant as the praiseworthy Ford’s, or the Passat’s, or that of a Mercedes C-class. On the optional 18-inch alloys, the ride felt firm (though ultimately quiet and well-damped). Germanic feel and ability comes at a price it seems.

We tried the standard 17-inch set-up on an Allure 2.0 HDi sedan and found slightly better compliance and comfort, coupled with a tad less alacrity and poise.

And now on to the 2.2L diesel-equipped GT – the luxury top-liner with its own (if 407-derived) wishbone front suspension system.

With just as much power (150kW) but more torque (450Nm) and a whole lot less consumption and emissions than the 2.7L twin-turbo V6 diesel of its 407 SV predecessor, the 508 GT is a strong, swift and stirring performer of a very high order.

Sensationally determined yet almost eerily hushed acceleration sees this particular Peugeot speeding along in cocooning splendour, while the front end has its own special talent in the way the steering turns into corners with better precision and feel than the regular 508.

Suddenly we found ourselves finally forgetting about how brilliant the old 406s were, such was the superior combination of eagerness, ability and composure that the GT displayed. Even the firm ride didn’t matter that much.

We only had about 30 minutes on lovely but probably untypical Aussie roads to assess the GT, but would seriously debate buying the equivalently priced base A4, 3 Series or Lexus IS 250 over this version.

Clearly, then, the 508 is compelling evidence that Peugeot is back in the game.

While the regular Allure certainly lives up to its name as a quality accommodating medium/large family-car proposition of flair and finesse, it is the GT that has left us longing for more.

And that’s a massive move in the right direction for the company after the all-too long-in-the-tooth (and on the nose) 407.

Even after an all-too-brief driving session with the vital French newcomer, we are ready to don our hat to Peugeot’s engineers for pulling out something as improved and appealing as the 508 from the carcass of its underperforming predecessor.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new 508

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here