Peugeot 508 Review (2023)

Read Caroline’s 2023 Peugeot 508 review for everything you need to know about Peugeot’s updated large executive saloon.

The latest generation of the Peugeot 508 arrived in Ireland in 2019 and went on to win Irish Large Car of the Year.

Lauded for its upmarket design and stylish cabin, the 508 has been a steady presence in the Irish market for some years now.

Now Peugeot has confirmed that a facelifted 508 will reach Ireland before the end of the year with new styling and technology to keep the executive feel alive.

A new 180hp plug-in hybrid also joins the range, which should make it slightly more affordable to drive a 508 hybrid than before.

Caroline travelled to Malaga, Spain, with Peugeot Ireland to drive the latest Peugeot 508 ahead of its arrival in Ireland for January 2024 registrations.

Styling

Like before, the Peugeot 508 is available as a fastback or as an estate, known as the 508 SW. The 508 has always been a bit of a looker compared to the stately Skoda Superb, though the coupé-like Volkswagen Arteon comes close in the style stakes. Now Peugeot gives the 508 even a bit more allure. Cosmetic changes include a new grille design that stretches across the front of the car and Peugeot’s new lion shield logo at the centre. There are also slim new matrix LED headlamps and bumpers. The latest 508 is also the first Peugeot to get the brand’s new ‘3-claw’ daytime running lights at the front. Around the back, a black strip connects the updated 3-claw rear light design with scrolling indicators, and P E U G E O T is boldly spelt out across it to complete the upscale look. The frameless windows all round are a timeless classy feature. There are also new alloy wheel designs and new colours like Okenite White, Eclipse Blue and Titane Grey. Selenium Grey is no longer reserved just for the 508 PSE high-performance model; it’s available now across the range.

Interior

The 508 has a unique cabin for the segment with a compact steering wheel and wraparound ‘i-Cockpit’ that puts the driver at the centre of the action. Updates to the cabin are minor: new software for the infotainment system and a new minimalist ‘e-toggle’ gear selector in the centre console. The 508’s cabin certainly feels sportier and more driver-focused than rivals. There’s an updated full digital driver display like the 308/408 and a large 10-inch touchscreen as standard with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, natural voice recognition and over-the-air updates for the very first time. It’s also customisable with the option to set eight individual driver and passenger profiles for different interior ambience settings. Ventilation controls are accessed from the screen, which can be a bit fiddly to use – but the classy piano-style keys below can at least be used to pull up relevant menus quickly.

It feels well-made inside and the seats now get more premium upholstery – artificial leather/textile for Allure models and an artificial leather/Alcantara® combination for the GT trim. Nappa Leather is available as an option, with a new embossed lion in the front headrests. The front seats are AGR-approved so they are some of the most comfortable and supportive on the market, ideal for an executive car like this. Other features include power adjustment, memory settings and a massage function.

Practicality

A Skoda Superb is bigger but is it as stylish as the 508? The Peugeot 508 Fastback manages about 487 litres of boot space and the boot opens like a hatchback making it relatively easy to load and unload. The SW estate is even better for load-lugging with 530 litres of space in the boot.

Engines

Like before, the 508 and 508 SW are available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines. An 8-speed automatic gearbox comes as standard across the range. For 2023, the 1.6-litre 225hp plug-in hybrid will be joined by a 180hp version. Other options include the familiar 1.2-litre turbo petrol with 130hp and 1.5-litre diesel, also with 130hp. The top of the range Peugeot 508 PSE uses a 360hp plug-in hybrid drivetrain with all wheel drive.

Driving

At the launch in Spain, I tested the new 508 plug-in hybrid with 180hp. Having more power and torque than the 1.2-litre petrol makes the hybrid a better match for a large car like this. There’s plenty of power when you put your foot down. Though catch it off guard and there is a bit of a roar from the engine to accompany your quicker acceleration. But it soon settles down.

The compact steering wheel, well-weighted steering and good body control contribute to a large car that feels quite agile and fun when the roads get a bit twistier. Peugeot adapted the 508’s suspension settings to each engine in development to ensure the best level of comfort and also smooth out road imperfections. So the hybrid is still a comfortable car and will cruise motorways with ease.

There are a number of different settings like Electric, Eco, Hybrid, Normal, and Sport. There’s also a B mode to activate regenerative braking in the hybrids. In the electric mode, the 508 will travel up to about 40km on battery power only, switching its character to smooth and silent. That’s not an exceptional electric range for a plug-in hybrid, but it does come into its own for town and city driving. The hybrid’s 12.4kWh battery can be charged in about 3.5 hours from a 7.4kW wallbox with the standard fit 3.7kW onboard AC charger.

Pricing

The new 508 and 508 SW will be available in Allure, GT and PSE trim levels, with pricing to be announced closer to launch before the end of 2023. The 508 range currently retails from about €47,000.

Verdict

Sales of D-segment saloons like the 508 have been dwindling for some years now as the market has switched towards more SUV and crossover-style vehicles. Yet there is something to be said for the style and agile driving dynamics of the 508. It’s still completely on-point when it comes to design. It’s aged very well, with this new version just slightly enhancing the 508’s ‘feline’ character (it’s the lion brand after all!).

Peugeot’s entire range is undergoing an overhaul at the moment so it was important to give the 508 the latest brand face and lion shield logo. Inside, the i-Cockpit has aged very well and cocoons you for a more driver-focused feel than rivals. The infotainment software has been updated but it’s still not the simplest to use on the market.

The 508 does sacrifice some practicality for style. If you’re looking for a huge car for your money, this is probably not it. But show us a more stylish large car…

While Peugeot is busy fully electrifying their brand with all-electric versions of the 308, 408 and next-generation 3008 and 5008, for now at least the 508 plug-in hybrids seem a good deal with power and performance worthy of an executive car.

There are some exciting chapters ahead for Peugeot but the 508 one is still worth a look.

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year