Peugeot 508 SW review
At a glance
| Price new | £35,325 - £55,175 |
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| Used prices | £10,470 - £36,741 |
| Road tax cost | £170 - £570 |
| Insurance group | 21 - 41 |
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| Fuel economy | 36.3 - 63.6 mpg |
| Range | 627 - 847 miles |
| Miles per pound | 5.3 - 8.1 |
| View full specs for a specific version | |
Available fuel types
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid
Pros & cons
- Handsome, individual looks
- Powerful and economical engines
- Innovative, upmarket interior
- Top-spec models are pricey
- Load floor not flat when rear seats folded
- Rear-seat room is not good enough for adults
Peugeot 508 SW rivals
Overview
Is the Peugeot 508 SW any good?
We like the 508 SW, and it’s a stylish alternative to the traditional estate or SUV – but if you’re looking for the most practical option for your money, you might want to look elsewhere. But let’s face it, Peugeot‘s appealing estate version of the 508 Fastback hasn’t been built to maximise space – instead it’s designed to appeal to traditional buyers looking for a desirable, ‘lifestyle’ option.
We think Peugeot has managed done rather well here. The 508 SW is sleek and stylish, and appeals to buyers who want some extra versatility, but wrapped up in a package that really looks the business. As such, it rivals the likes of the premium Volvo V60 and BMW 3 Series Touring.
Yet Peugeot’s still firmly a mainstream brand, so the 508 SW must also compare favourably with the Skoda Superb Estate and Volkswagen Passat Estate. It’s off to a great start with handsome styling, a wide range of powerful and efficient engines and an avant-garde interior that’s like nothing else in the class. But can its driving credentials back up the bold looks?
Read the Peugeot 508 SW verdict
What’s it like inside?
Peugeot has an extensive back-catalogue of roomy estate cars and the latest iteration of the 508 SW is no different.
The previous model was a relatively spacious vehicle, with room enough for four six-foot-plus adults, and this new 508 SW has the same amount of space behind the front seats. It’s not commodious in the way a Skoda Superb Estate is back there, but certainly more generous than an Audi A4 Avant or BMW 3 Series Touring – both smaller cars, but ones Peugeot thinks buyers will be considering alongside this new French protagonist.
With the rear seats in place there’s 530 litres of space available below the fabric luggage cover, extending to 1,780 when the seats are dropped down.
Read more on the Peugeot 508 SW interior
What’s it like to drive?
The 508 SW combines a wide range of engines and an agile suspension set-up to create an enjoyable car to drive. Just like the Fastback model, body control is excellent on even the standard set-up you get with the entry-level model riding in 18-inch wheels.
The highest output engine, with 225hp, is the one to go for if you want a quick car. But somehow doesn’t suit the 508 SW’s comfy, laid-back character quite as well as the milder 180hp diesel engine. At the other end of the range, the 1.5-litre BlueHDi is nicely efficient, but can be a little rattly and noisy when getting up to speed and the manual gearbox a little underwhelming to use.
The 508 SW’s small steering wheel adds to the overall nimbleless of the driving experience – but overall, it’s relaxing and feels different to its firmer-riding German rivals. But don’t worry – you don’t get bodyroll in corners, and there’s plenty of grip.
Read more on how the Peugeot 508 drives
What models and trims are available?
There’s petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engine options for the Peugeot 508 SW. The range is identical to the Fastback’s, so there’s a pair of 1.6-litre turbocharged petrols and a trio of diesels – a 1.5 and two 2.0-litre units. Power ranges from 130hp right up to 225hp. All are matched to an eight-speed automatic, but a six-speed manual is also available with the 1.5-litre diesel.
The 508 SW plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is also available, marrying up a petrol engine with electric power and available at a price premium over the standard models. The hybrid version is based on the PureTech 180 petrol engine in combination with an electric motor for a combined system output of 225hp and an electric driving range of up to 39 miles.
What else should I know?
It’s impossible to ignore the fact that, in stark contrast to its ugly, blobby predecessor, the new Peugeot 508 SW is a bit of a looker. Its low-slung roofline, wide stance and distinctive, sharp-edged styling front and rear really set it apart from its rivals.
The design is at its best in higher-spec trims, where attractive LED light signatures front and rear really make the 508 SW stand out from the competition. The sabre-tooth daytime running lights are particularly distinctive, as are the eye-catching rear LED lights.
That style continues on the inside, where a high-set centre console, digital dial pack and wide, 10-inch infotainment screen all combine to give a real driver focus to the cockpit. That’s aided by Peugeot’s i-Cockpit dial layout, which positions the gauges high up above a small, squared-off steering wheel.
Again, it’s higher trim levels that are the most appealing here, with very fancy quilted leather upholstery, interesting carbon-effect dashboard trim and plenty of chrome.
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Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the Peugeot 508 SW including its practicality, how much it costs to run, what it’s like to drive – and whether we recommend buying one.
