Insurance Group: 21
MPG: 61.4
CO2: 114
0-62 Mph: 11.3 secs
BHP: 115 BHP
Range: 972 miles
Everything about the 508 SR looks and feels luxurious, from the distinctive lines forming its frame to the interior finishes. It offers good value for money and is one of the cheapest large family cars to run.
PROS: Good looks. Powerful engine. Good ride quality. Easy to drive. Lots of standard kit. Very fuel efficient. Low VED. Cheap to run overall.
CONS: It’s hard to find fault with this saloon. We finally found it difficult to park in tight spots.
The 508 SR is powered by a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder 8v 1560cc diesel engine which produces a maximum power of 112bhp. Torque figures of 177 lb-ft are high enough to make the 508 powerful on the motorway. The car reaches 62mph in 11.3 seconds, which is good for the class, although there are a number of large family cars that far exceed the 508’s top speed of 118mph – Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis - so if speed is what you are looking for, the 508 may disappoint you a little.
But if you are after a great ride quality in an easy to drive car, by all means get the 508. Handling is superb and the car has high levels of grip. Steering is sharp, precise and responsive. There is no body roll and turning corners is smooth and enjoyable. Suspension is supple enough to soak up bumps while keeping the ride comfortable.
High refinement marks the engine and cabin mechanisms in the 508. The engine remains quiet even at speed and the cabin is well-insulated against road noise. There is a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds. The suspension can also be heard when driving on rough roads. Otherwise, the car is quiet and gives an enjoyable driving atmosphere.
Due to its size and partly hidden nose and tail, parking in squeezed spaces is not easy. Investing in rear parking sensors and a parallel parking aid will help improve this state of affairs.
The 508 SR is a large 4-door, 5-seater, measuring 4792mm x 1920mm. It is a saloon that gets noticed, thanks to its modern styling, clean lines and strong appearance. A combination of aluminium and magnesium is used to make the car shell.
The interior is just as good-looking, if not more luxurious. The soft-touch materials used are sophisticated and have an upmarket feel to them which puts the car on the same level with the very best in the class.
The 508 SR is well-equipped. Standard kit includes power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, sat nav, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, alarm, immobiliser, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and CD player.
Rear parking sensors and metallic paint are available as cost options, with the former costing £255 and the latter £450.
Peugeot is an old brand that has built a good reputation over the decades. Over time, the car maker suffered dwindling reputation over some of its models, a lot of which had to do with customer satisfaction in relation to more upmarket rivals. Recently though, Peugeot has boosted the engineering on its latest models and there is a vast improvement in the workings, appearance, performance and comfort of its newer cars.
The car maker has also taken safety a notch higher in the 508 SR. It comes fitted with everything, from stability control, remote central locking and airbags to engine immobiliser, alarm and deadlocks. Additionally, the car feels strong and well-built; you will certainly feel safe in this car. As further confirmation of this, it scored an impressive 5-star overall rating in the Euro NCAP safety test.
Accessing the interior is easy, thanks to the large door openings. Rear passengers will however have to bend when getting in or out, due to the sloping roofline at the rear, which limits space. There is a good amount of headroom and legroom, and even though the rear is not as spacious as that of the Passat or Mondeo, there is enough room to make taller passengers comfortable.
The boot is not as big as that of class leaders Mondeo and Passat, but it is a good size. You get 473 litres to pack all your farm tools and fishing equipment.
Driver comfort is assured. The dashboard is neat and catchy, with a large, definitive display screen at the centre. The main screen control is right by the gearlever, within easy reach. Steering-wheel rake and reach adjustments and height adjustment for the driver’s seat ensures that you can get a perfect driving position.
The 508 SR is slightly cheaper than top rival Ford Mondeo, yet it is packed with quality and practicality. Resale values are expected to be good as demand for large family cars is steady and the Peugeot quality is desirable.
The engine is extremely efficient, returning 61.4mpg in combined cycle and outdoing the Mondeo by far. Carbon emissions are also low: it emits an average of 119g/km to qualify for road tax band C, which will cost you only £30 a year. This is £100 cheaper than what you would pay for a Mondeo!
The car is ranked under insurance group 21 so your insurance costs should be average. You get a 3-year warranty up to 60,000 miles, and a considerable service interval of 12,500 miles.
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