Peugeot 508 Allure 1.6 e-HDi EGC 4dr Car Review - March 2012

The 508 Allure 1.6 e-HDi is fitted with a 1.6-litre diesel engine which, while not overly blessed in the performance stakes, is a capable and willing engine with a decent amount of low-down pulling power. It develops 112bhp and 177lb-ft of torque which is perfectly adequate for a car of this type and this means that 0-62mph takes 11.9 seconds and flat out you'll be doing 122mph.

The ride is a little firm but the 508 is very comfortable thanks to its smooth diesel engine and the quietness of its cabin. The steering is also very nicely weighted and direct and this makes the 508 a fun car to drive.

The old Peugeot 407 was hideous thanks to its gaping front end but the new 508 looks very stylish indeed. Peugeot really do look set to take on the German competition in the styling department. The interior is also very good and, while not up to BMW standard, all feels well put together and of a high quality.

The list of standard equipment is good - if not comprehensive - and includes alloy wheels, climate control, electric mirrors, electric windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors, part leather seats, MP3 connectivity, CD player and Bluetooth. Sat-nav, however, is a pricey option at £705 which is a bit of a disappointment.

Peugeots of old were shockingly unreliable - the 407, for example, had a host of mechanical and interior faults - but the 508 feels much better made than its predecessors. We shall have to wait and see how reliable it is.

There's a decent - if not class-leading - amount of interior space although legroom is at a premium in the rear seats. The boot space is also unspectacular, offering a good but not great 473-litres with the rear seats up.

Safety, however, should not be an issue as the 508 scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests thanks to its impressive array of airbags and safety features.

At £23,400, the 508 Allure e-HDi is one of the more expensive 508s on offer. It will also depreciate steeply thanks to its Peugeot badge.

However, reps will rejoice at the low running costs. A combined fuel economy figure of 67.2mpg is fantastic for a car of this size and CO2 emissions of 109g/km mean very, very cheap road tax under VED band B and cheap company car tax too.