Peugeot 508 SW

The Peugeot 508 SW is a stylish new estate that is receiving some great reviews. The general consensus from the press is that it would make an excellent family car. Find out why with our summary of expert reviews below.

Interior

Estate cars are all about practicality and utility, and the 508 SW doesn’t disappoint. There’s good space for both luggage and passengers, even if there aren’t as many cubby holes as you’d hope in a family car. The materials are all of high quality though and the dashboard is well laid out. Some find the driving position a little high, though.

Interior

It might not be as fun to drive as a Mondeo, but the 508 SW does a good job of striking a ride and handling balance, according to reviews. Stability is good and the car feels planted on the motorway. The ride is smooth too, and it's comfortable.

Engines

Diesels dominate the range, with a 1.6 e-HDI at the bottom offering spectacular economy and a 2.2 HDI at the top that’s more about effortlessly pounding motorways. In between are two 2.0 HDIs. Relative performance is as you’d expect - the 1.6 is slowest and most economical, the 2.2 fastest and thirstiest. Refinement is good in all. Two 1.6 petrols, naturally aspirated and turbocharged, are also available.

Value for money

Pricing is fairly competitive with rivals, though just like some rivals it’s possible to spend a worrying amount of money on what’s supposed to be a practical family estate - think £30k for some models. Running costs should be relatively low, especially with the 1.6 e-HDI, which does 62.8mpg. The only issue is it's unknown how fast depreciation will be.

Worth noting

The main issue with the base e-HDI is the slightly old-fashioned automated manual gearbox, which is neither quick nor smooth when changing gear. The non-“e” HDI 1.6 can be had with a manual, which is probably a better option even if economy isn’t as good.

Conclusion

The 508 SW is no class-leader, but it’s vastly better than its predecessor and now at least matches many of its classmates. Of course, it also looks pretty good - which may swing it for some!