For the first time ever, with Peugeot we will head into the higher numbers of its model range and test the 508 type. Specifically, the SW station wagon in Allure trim with a supercharged two-liter turbodiesel.
Appearance
When I come to the car for the first time, I'm already looking forward to it. I like big comfortable ships and I hope that Peugeot managed to fulfill this task. In terms of dimensions, for sure, it is a very large car . And while the previous look of the 508 was rather… let's say strange, now the facelifted model's grille is more to my taste. The car doesn't blink anymore and I really like it. Only the small inscription in the upper part of the mask should not be there. But, for example, I really like those "bus wipers" that move against each other. I was also interested in the fact that there is no antenna on the roof, not even a small and modern fin.
Interior
In the field of vision, the driver sees a tilting head-up display showing the current speed, possibly set cruise control and navigation indicators. However, I would have one ergonomic reservation. Of course, you can adjust the tilt of the display, but the controller is on the left in the flip-up panel. If I mention that some wires are visible in it, you cannot reach the controller from an ideally set seat. This means that you lean forward and adjust the display, which you will then look at while leaning. Do you understand the catch yet? I know, it's a piece of cake, but you certainly won't set the optimal angle the first time. The layout of the controls on the steering wheel also bothers me a bit. While switching radio stations or songs is controlled with the rotary wheel on the right, the volume can be regulated with the classic buttons on the left. Somehow I have no idea why the two controls manipulating the radio are in different places. But that somehow always belonged to French cars. Just like the door pocket bothers me a bit, the opening is only in the front, but the pocket then continues into the guts of the door panel to the rear. So when you accelerate hard, say goodbye to the things stored in it – you won't see them until you brake. And I was also struck by the unusually large slope of the drink holders , you can't easily extract a cup from them.
I don't have many reservations about the position behind the wheel, it sits quite high , closer to the ground would be better for us tall people, on the other hand, there is enough room to move the seat back. And even so, I can handle myself without any problems. Even support for long thighs in the front is not a problem thanks to the extendable seat cushion . On the right, there is a fairly well-placed armrest that opens towards the driver. So the passenger won't give you anything from it, but it won't fit much anyway. There is also plenty of space in the rear seats , although from the outside you expect even more generous legroom. Here, passengers can also adjust the air conditioning and seat heating. And there is plenty of light in the interior, because here again we have a panoramic roof window . Of course, this can be retracted with a curtain, and you can also find other curtains on the rear side windows. I will also point out the interior lighting, which was very successful in terms of design.
Access to the boot is great and can't be faulted. The space is large, so the opening easily scrapes larger objects. And there is also electric control , either from inside the car with a button on the left under the steering wheel, or by long pressing the button on the key. And you won't even have to close it manually, there is another button on the lower edge of the door. I got used to the whole system quickly and I don't have many reservations about it, that is, except for one. I have to complain about the annoying beeping that accompanies the entire process of moving the door. And that they don't just break to quickly change position, so you have plenty of time to really enjoy the alarm siren. After a while, you will stop going to the trunk unless it is really necessary and you will never buy ice cream in the store again. It would melt before you load it. It's a bit of a shame, because you can cram a lot into a huge trunk. And if that's not enough for you, you can fold the rear backrests with one movement of the lever. You can also sleep in the car at the same time.
Drive
I was looking forward to the big car especially because the great-grandfather of this type (model 405 ) was once parked in the family garage. Unfortunately for me and quite possibly fortunately for most owners, however, the tuning of Peugeots has evolved. The era of very soft French cars is apparently irretrievably gone, today's large sedans and station wagons with a lion in the emblem stick to the chosen track , so you can simply feel all kinds of potholes that Czech roads are full of. But I just miss the old swinging comfort. But enough of the trivial complaints, most drivers, on the contrary, will drive better this way. The car is still quite comfortable and does not bother you with unpleasant bouncing on bumps. The engine is sufficiently refined and quiet, and the car as a whole is very comfortable. You will really have no problem believing that you are in the premium segment.
During normal driving, consumption did not frighten me at all. The car showed a value of 7.2 liters in the city, 6.3 liters on the highway and 5.2 liters outside the city. The total average after a week was a pleasant 5.5 liters per hundred kilometers. That's not bad value at all for a large, mid-range station wagon.
Conclusion
This is the modernized Peugeot 508 . The facelift was a success and greatly helped the flagship in terms of appearance. In addition, although I am not looking for diesel units, this two-liter is definitely a great choice for Peugeot. So, if you are going to choose a mid-range station wagon, you should definitely not miss the Peugeot showroom. Just remember the few ergonomic quirks in the interior.
Basic price (1.6 HDi Active) 602,000 CZK
Basic price (2.0 HDi Active) 642,000 CZK
The price of the tested model is CZK 872,000
Compare the parameters of the Peugeot 508 SW with the competition on Autohled.cz
