Peugeot 508 SW SR 1.6 VTi EGC 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The 508 SW SR VTi EGC is powered by a 1.6l, 4-cylinder 16v 1598cc petrol engine, which has a maximum power of 120bhp. Torque figures of 118 lb-ft make it strong enough to sustain a good pace on the motorway. 62mph comes in 11.8 seconds, which is not too bad for a car its size. Its top speed of 124mph, though far from the class best, is acceptable.

Handling is one of Peugeot’s strong points and the 508 SW SR does not disappoint. Because of its size and weight, it is not as sharp as the 508 saloon and it has a bit of body roll, specifically in corners. Grip is good and you enjoy a good amount of response from the chassis. Suspension is soft enough to soak bumps while keeping the ride soft.

There is a 6-speed Electronic Gearbox Control (EGC) to facilitate smooth gear shifts. However, you will need to slow down anytime you need to shift gears because the EGC is not as smooth as you would expect and gets jerky when engaged at speed.

The cabin is well insulated against wind and road noise. There is very little of these two coming through the cabin, even at speed. The engine itself is quiet and hums softly even at speed. All-round visibility is good.

The 508 SW SR is not your typical looking estate. It is polished and has an upmarket look that will appeal to both individuals and businesses looking for a good company car. The 5-door, 5-seat station wagon weighs 1,780kg and measures 4813mm x 1920mm. It is imposing by its mere size and appealing with its strong image.

The interior is just as remarkable, with high quality materials used on the surfaces. The neat layout on the dash and distinct arrangement of controls gives the 508 a far more appealing taste than the Volkswagen Passat.

The offering of standard equipment is considerably generous in the 508 SW. You get power steering, stability control, central locking, climate control, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobiliser, alarm, sat nav, Bluetooth, MP3 connectivity and CD player.

Rear parking sensors cost an extra £255 and metallic paint goes for £450.

The 508 is a relatively new car, having been released in 2011. But you can count on Peugeot’s long standing reliability to deliver a good quality model. From how the car feels when driving – it has a higher quality feel than older Peugeot models - it is clear that a lot of effort went into the design and engineering. So far there have been no complaints and it is highly unlikely that any will surface.

There is tons of safety kit to keep you secure inside the car, from airbags, deadlocks, stability control and engine immobiliser to an SOS system that notifies emergency services when you get into an accident.

The Peugeot 508 has class leading amounts of space. There is plenty of head and legroom for all five adults at full capacity. The boot is huge at 512 litres and increases to a massive 1598 litres with the seats down.

There are plenty of adjustments for the driver’s seat and steering wheel to ensure that you get a good driving position.

Though not the cheapest in the range, the 508 SW SR is on par with rivals in fuel economy. It returns 44.1mpg in combined cycle. Carbon emissions are within the class range at 145g/km and attract £130 under road tax band F. The car is placed under insurance group 21 so premiums should be average.

The 508 SW SR is competitively priced compared to class rivals. But there are a number of better performers in the class, and this might affect its eventual resale value. For now, it can only be hoped that its stronger points such as roominess, affordability and low running costs will work in its favour to maintain good residual values.

Peugeot gives a 3-year/60,000 mile warranty and a lengthy service interval – 20,000 miles – which could be an indication of the confidence they have in the car.