Peugeot 508 2020 Review: Sports Wagon
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
- How practical is the interior space? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- Verdict
Large Peugeots are a real rarity in this country. Decades ago, they were made here, but in these tough times of off-road vehicles, a large French sedan or station wagon drives past the market with a barely noticeable flash. Personally, it annoys me how little Peugeot makes an impression on the local automotive landscape because its 3008/5008 pair are excellent. Why don't people see this?
Speaking of cars people don't understand, this week I rode this fading star of the automotive constellation; wagon. The new 508 Sportwagon from Peugeot, or rather, all 4.79 meters.
| Peugeot 508 2020: GT | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 1.6 L turbo |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 6.3l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $47,000 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
Both Sportwagon and Fastback are available in only one specification - GT. The fastback will set you back $53,990, while the station wagon will set you back a couple thousand more, at $55,990. At this price, you expect - and get - a load of things.
The 508 Sportswagon has 18-inch alloy wheels.
Like 18" alloy wheels, 10-speaker stereo system, dual-zone climate control, front and rear view cameras, keyless entry and start, active cruise control, power front seats with heating and massage functions, satellite navigation, automatic parking ( steering), automatic LED headlights with automatic high beam, Nappa leather seats, automatic wipers, a robust safety package and a compact spare.
You will get automatic LED headlights with automatic high beams.
The Peugeot media system is housed on a 10-inch touch screen. The hardware is frustratingly slow at times - and even worse when you want to use the climate control - but it's nice to look at. The 10-speaker stereo has DAB and you can use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Stereo, as it turned out, is not bad.
It has a reliable safety package and a compact spare part.
The on-screen smart keyboard shortcuts are super cool and nice to the touch, making the system a little easier to use, but the three-finger touchscreen is even better, bringing up all the menu options you might need. However, the equipment itself is the cabin's weakest point.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
Like the underrated 3008 and 5008, the 508 looks amazing. While I find the 3008 off-road vehicle a bit nerdy, the 508 is fantastic. These LED high beam headlights form a pair of fangs that cut into the bumper and they look brilliant. The station wagon, as always, is a bit better built than the already pretty Fastback.
The station wagon, as always, is a bit better built than the already pretty Fastback.
The interior looks like it's from a much more expensive car (yes, I know it's not exactly cheap). Nappa leather, metal switches and the original i-Cockpit create a very avant-garde look. It feels great, and with judicious use of textures and materials, the feeling of cost is palpable. i-Cockpit is an acquired taste. Cars Guide colleague Richard Berry and I will someday fight to the death over this configuration - but I like it.
It feels great, and with judicious use of textures and materials, the feeling of cost is palpable.
The small steering wheel feels juicy, but I admit that the less upright driving position means the steering wheel can block the instruments.
Speaking of instruments, the excellent customizable digital instrument cluster is a lot of fun with several different display modes that are sometimes quite inventive and useful, such as one that cuts down on extraneous information.
How practical is the interior space? 8/10
The front seats are very comfortable - I wonder if Toyota saw them and said: "We want these." Also up front is a couple of cupholders that are actually useful, so it looks like the French have finally broken down on this one and moved on to utility instead of the previous, passive-aggressive setup of small and small blocks.
The front seats are very comfortable.
You can store your phone, even a large one, under the cover that opens on the side. In a really unique moment, I found that if you let the big iPhone slide off to lie flat on the base of the tray, you might have to seriously consider taking the whole car apart to get it back out. Another one of my niche issues, but my fingers are fine now, thanks for the question.
Rear-seat passengers get quite a lot too, with better headroom than on the Fastback.
The basket under the armrest is a bit handy and contains a USB port, in addition to the one awkwardly located at the base of the B-pillar.
Rear-seat passengers also get quite a lot of room, with more headroom than on the Fastback, as the roof continues on a flatter curve. Unlike some automakers, the diamond stitching extends to the rear seats, which are also quite comfortable. There are also air vents on the back and two more USB ports. I wish Peugeot would stop putting that cheap chrome trim on the USB ports - they look like an afterthought.
Behind the seats is a 530-litre trunk that expands to 1780 liters with the seats folded down.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
Under the hood appears Peugeot's 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an impressive 165kW and a slightly inadequate 300Nm. Power is sent to the road through an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.
Peugeot's 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces an impressive 165kW and a slightly inadequate 300Nm.
The 508 is rated to tow 750kg unbraked and 1600kg with brakes.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Peugeot's own testing to Australian standards showed a combined cycle figure of 6.3 l/100 km. I spent a week with the car, mostly commuter racing, and could only manage 9.8L/100km, which is actually still pretty good for such a big car.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
The 508 arrives from France with six airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, AEB acceleration up to 140 km/h with pedestrian and cyclist detection, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and driver control. detection.
Annoyingly, it doesn't have reverse cross traffic alert.
Child seat anchors include two ISOFIX points and three top cable points.
The 508 achieved five ANCAP stars when tested in September 2019.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
Like French rival Renault, Peugeot offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and five years of roadside assistance.
A generous service interval of 12 months/20,000 km is good, but the cost of maintenance is a bit of a problem. The good news is that you know how much you pay for the first five years of ownership. The bad news is that it's just over $3500, which means an average of $700 per year. Swinging the pendulum back is the fact that the service includes things like fluids and filters that others don't, so it's a bit more comprehensive.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
It may seem like a lot of cars need to be pushed with a 1.6-liter engine, but Peugeot has two features. Firstly, the engine is quite powerful for its size, even if the torque figure is not quite up to it. But then you see that the car weighs a little less than 1400 kg, which is quite a bit.
The relatively light weight (the Mazda6 station wagon carries another 200kg) means a smart, if not astonishing, 0-second 100-kph sprint.
The engine is powerful enough for its size.
Once you spend some time with the car, you will realize that everything is just about right. The five driving modes are actually different, for example with characteristic differences in suspension, engine and transmission settings.
The comfort is really very comfortable, with smooth engine response - I thought it was a little late - and a plush ride. The long wheelbase certainly helps, and it's shared with the Fastback. The car is like a limousine, quiet and collected, it just sneaks around.
Switch it to Sport mode and the car tenses up nicely, but never loses its composure. Some sport modes are either fundamentally useless (louder, ruins gear changes) or heavy (six tons of steering effort, uncontrolled throttle). The 508 tries to maintain comfort by offering the driver a bit more input into corners.
It's not meant to be a fast car, but when you put it all together, it does the job just fine.
It's not meant to be a fast car, but when you put it all together, it does the job just fine.
Verdict
Like all recent Peugeot models - and models released two decades ago - this car offers a lot of opportunities for both driver and passengers. It's very comfortable and quiet, significantly less expensive than the German counterparts, and still delivers just about everything they do without having to tick any expensive options.
There are many people who will be fascinated by the style of the car and amazed by its essence. It turns out I'm one of them.
