Used Peugeot 508 2018-present review

The first Peugeot 508 was a reasonable enough car, but its cautious styling did a good job of hiding from the world at large the general competence of the oily bits underneath, so for this second-generation version the French firm deliberately injected a healthy dose of style into the design mix. It certainly worked, for this 508 is a good-looking car in the five-door coupe style of the Audi A5 Sportback and the Volkswagen Arteon.

However, to succeed in the ultra-competitive executive car class you need to be more than just a pretty face, and the 508 - while never destined to be a huge seller in the UK - needs to match its rivals in terms of comfort and refinement, as well as being a pleasure to drive.

To that end, it offers a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox standard on all but the entry-level 1.5-litre diesel; this gets a six-speed manual, although the auto ’box is still an option. A plug-in hybrid version of the 508, which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, was added to the line-up in 2019. At the same time, the regular engine range was trimmed to just the 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesel.

Trim levels start with Active, which offers 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and an 8.0in infotainment touchscreen. Step up to Allure trim and you’ll get a 10.0in touchscreen, heated front seats and half-leather upholstery. Next, GT Line offers 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights, tinted windows and sports seats. Top-spec GT adds 19in alloys, active suspension, full leather upholstery and an electric tailgate.

On the road the 508 is a bit of a mixed bag. The 1.5-litre 130 diesel is smooth and refined but feels a little underpowered. There’s also a 161bhp version of the 2.0 BlueHDi diesel engine and a 174bhp unit that has plenty of oomph and, like the 1.5, is reasonably refined. On the petrol side, the 179bhp 1.6 Puretech is smooth, responsive and a more spirited performer than the diesels, with the only disappointment being that it doesn't pull quite so well from low revs.

The 221bhp 1.5 petrol brings a noticeable amount of extra shove and is the quickest option in the line-up, albeit the most costly to run.

In corners, there’s plenty of grip, and the handling is safe and predictable, if largely uninspiring. The steering is actually slightly lower geared than other modern Peugeot models, but it has enough response and tenacity to instill confidence during faster cornering. There’s little in the way of body lean, which also helps with placing the car accurately, although the pay-off for this is a slightly firm ride that, although pleasant enough most of the time, can be a bit fidgety.

The 508 features Peugeot’s i-Cockpit layout, where a small steering wheel sits below your eyeline to the instrument panel, and analogue dials are replaced by a 12.3in customisable digital display. While the set-up works well for taller drivers who push the seat well back, it leaves shorter drivers unable to see all of the instrument pod. The seats are pseudo-sporty in style and the driving position is adjusted electrically in Allure-spec cars and above. However, the seat is set quite high, even on its lowest setting. Fit and finish are generally impressive, with the dashboard and surrounding areas featuring plenty of soft-touch materials and neat inserts, while top-spec GT models making good use of high-quality stitched leather. Only some cheaper-feeling plastic on the doors let the side down a bit.

Rearward visibility is quite restricted due to the car's extravagant exterior lines, so you'll be glad that reversing sensors and a rear-view camera are standard from Allure trim.

Up front there’s good space for a tall driver and front passenger, despite the 508's sleek, coupé-like roofline. However, the news isn't as good in the rear. Yes, there’s just enough space for a six-footer to fold their legs in behind a lanky driver, but head room is severely limited.

At least the 508 is a hatchback, rather than a saloon-style body, which gives it a large boot opening that helps with loading. In addition, you can fold the rear seats down in a 60/40 configuration by pulling toggles positioned just behind the headrests, although the seats don’t lie completely flat. Unfortunately, the size of the boot is a little down on one or two of its main rivals in this class.

If you're interested in buying a used Peugeot 508, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.

Used 508 examples start at around £15,000 (for one of the early cars). Expect to spend between £16,000 and £18,000 on a good 2019 car, or a little over £20,000 for one of the pricier GT Line trims or a 2020 car. If you'd like a 2021 or 2022 model, expect to spend around £22,000 to £25,000.

Check the value of a used Peugeot 508 with What Car? Valuations

Find a used Peugeot 508 for sale here

MPG

On paper, the most economical 508 is the 1.5 HDi 130 diesel with an automatic gearbox. According to the older NEDC official figures, its combined figure is 76.3mpg, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 98g/km. The manual car achieves a claimed 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 101g/km. The 2.0 HDi 160 has been tested under the new stricter WLTP procedure and produces 51.1mpg with corresponding CO2 emissions of 118g/km. The 1.6 180 petrol-engined car achieves 41.8mpg under the new test, and CO2 emissions of 123g/km.

According to the official figures, the hybrid will do 235.4mpg, but as is usual with plug-in hybrids conditions would have to be just right for you to achieve anything like this in the real world.

Road tax

All petrol and diesel 508s of this generation will have been registered after the tax changes of April 2017 came into force, meaning a flat rate annual VED tax currently £165 a year. Hybrid cars are charged £155 per year. Find out more about current road tax costs here.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups are average for this class of car. Peugeot has a number of different servicing plans that offer flexibility in payments and length of contract, and servicing costs on the whole are lower than many of its rivals.

It’s not overly loaded with power but we’d try and seek out the 1.5 HDi 130 diesel car as this is pleasantly refined and achieves a healthy economy figure. For extra comfort, we’d look for the eight-speed automatic version. Trim levels are all adequately equipped so we’d keep costs down and look for an Active.

Our favourite Peugeot 508: 1.5 HDi 130 Active

The stylish Audi A5 Sportback is a refined motorway cruiser, with a comfortable and spacious interior and an easy to use rotary-controlled infotainment system. It’s good to drive, too, and rides well, and there are some tempting used cars now on the forecourts.

The Volkswagen Arteon has a strong engine range, plenty of standard equipment and masses of interior space. It might not have the badge prestige of one or two of its rivals but it’s great to drive and ride in, certainly better than the 508, and used examples make an excellent buy.

If you're interested in buying a used Peugeot 508, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here