Test: Peugeot 508 – old-fashioned enjoyment of a plug-in hybrid

Is the streamlined limousine doomed?

Perhaps the streamlined limousine is not completely doomed after all, now that we are increasingly electrifying and low air resistance is more important than ever. But for the time being, the argument seems to be settled in favor of the higher car. The last time the 508 sold well was in 2011 and 2012 when there were plenty of tax benefits for business diesel drivers. In their heyday, distant predecessors such as the 405 and 406 accounted for more than ten thousand registrations per year, while for the current 508 it did not exceed a paltry 433 units last year.

Why is the Peugeot 508 still available in the Netherlands?

Yet there is by no means a grave mood among the Dutch importer, since the 208 and 2008, among others, achieve high quotations in the sales ranking. And as for the D-segment: the Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb didn’t do much better and the Mazda 6 and Ford Mondeo even less, but the latter went out of production in April 2022. The 508 got a competitor from its own house, namely the 408, although that car is not positioned as such. To bring the 508 to the attention, it will get the new face of Peugeot for the second half of its career. It is doubtful whether sales will give an extra boost, but that should not spoil the fun.

What has been renewed on the Peugeot 508?

The new front looks a bit more modern and also a bit more aggressive and the grille – containing the new brand logo – forms one whole with what was once a kind of bumper. The so-called tusks that functioned as daytime running lights gave way to the well-known claws. Three vertical light stripes now characterize the front on both sides, while this was previously a style element at the rear. The body has a coupe-like line and may look like a traditional saloon from the back, but in reality it is a liftback with a large, practical and motorized tailgate. The three light bars in the rear lights are now slanted instead of upright. The logo on the back disappeared, where the brand name is now written out in large letters.

Has the Peugeot 508 also been renewed inside?

In the interior, the innovations are mainly in further refinement and an improved infotainment screen. Instead of the well-known gear lever, you choose the mode of the transmission with a small rocker switch.

What are the technical innovations?

The base engine is the 130 hp 1.2, which will soon be replaced by the new hybrid with 136 hp. Furthermore, it is purely a plug-in hybrid with 180 or 225 hp, and 360 hp in the top model PSE. The diesel has disappeared from our price list and was also the only one with a manual transmission.

How does the new Peugeot 508 drive?

Believe it or not, it just takes some getting used to getting in so low. To then look out on a beautiful dashboard and enjoy the pleasant sitting position, as if that low-positioned steering wheel takes some getting used to. As said, we drive the 180 hp plug-in, which has the drive on the front wheels. It drives off electrically in hybrid mode, and the four-cylinder kicks in when merging onto the highway. That goes in peace, the eight-speed automatic switches flawlessly and shock-free. We drive the 508 in the vicinity of Malaga in Spain and we take a turn to look for nicer roads, although this Peugeot is perfect for long journeys. So go, into the mountains and enjoy steering. There the 508 is in its element and you realize how wonderfully such a large sedan drives. This is due to the well-balanced steering and the excellent chassis, together with the low carriage and the almost always available torque.

How is the plug-in hybrid powertrain?

The interplay between the electric motor, fuel engine and automatic transmission runs smoothly. But there’s still quite a bit of juice in the battery, so we switch to electric mode, which should be good for 40 miles. There is already some work done there, but because we descend quite a lot in B mode, no kilometers are deducted for the time being. On the flat roads you seem to be able to keep up with the traffic with the 110 hp and 320 Nm strong hand blender on the front wheels. No, at fifty grand this 508 isn’t a bargain, but it’s worth considering.