Peugeot's stylish 508 SW medium range estate model now offers a much more appealing proposition. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

A significant number of Peugeot 508 customers choose the SW estate version - and you can see why. It's sensibly practical, yet very good looking. And of course it also benefits from all the technology that's revitalised the improved version of the four-door second generation 508 model's proposition in the ever more competitive medium range market.

Background

The humble station wagon. No longer quite so humble these days. In fact, estates have become something of a fashion statement in recent years. You'd choose one over the ordinary saloon model even if you didn't necessarily need the extra carrying space. Most Peugeot 508 buyers do. Here's the 508 SW model, back in 2023 rejuvenated to take on a raft of tough rivals including estate versions of models like the Skoda Superb and the Volkswagen Passat. So today, what does a potential 508 SW buyer now really want? Experience in the market suggests three things: style, class and technology. In response, Peugeot has put a lot more thought into this car, now offered only in Hybrid 225 PHEV form. It looks more up-market - and we're promised that it will feel that way when you take a seat behind the wheel. There's extra hi-tech equipment too, with things you'd have to pay extra for on some rivals. So, has the French brand got this recipe right? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

As you'd expect, this SW variant drives just as its Fastback stablemate does. The PHEV tech adds a portly 280kgs to the kerb weight of this 508. The first generation 508 SW design was available in electrified form too, but that was a self-charging set-up mated to a diesel engine. In this 'R83'-series model, a 181hp 1.6-litre turbo petrol powerplant combined with an 8-speed auto gearbox is mated to a 110hp electric motor on the front axle powered by a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery. When fully charged, this allows for up to 42.3 miles of WLTP-rated all-electric driving range. There's a 225hp system output. You get four driving modes, with the ones you'll be using most of the time being the 'Hybrid' and 'Comfort' settings that choose the best mix of electric and petrol propulsion to suit the driving style whilst optimising efficiency, the latter softening the standard adaptive damping. The alternative settings are either 'Sport' (where the car combines the power of the electric and petrol motors to offer livelier performance). And 'Electric' (battery power only), in which guise the car is apparently able to run at up to 84mph. With the engine chiming in, 62mph from rest occupies 8.0s and top speed is limited to 149mph. The hybrid system's extra weight slightly blunts the handling but refinement is exemplary (even with the PureTech engine working) and the ride is superb.

Design and Build

If you were familiar with the original version of this second generation 508 SW, you'll immediately notice that the front end of this updated model has a considerably sleeker look. There are now three lighting 'fangs' and a redesigned grille, similar to that which features on the smaller 408, has gloss and textured black features, as well as the latest Peugeot emblem. Plus the narrow beady LED headlights now have standard-fit matrix tech. As before, the idea with this estate model is to bring the radical styling traits of the 508 saloon to station wagon customers. At just 1.42m in height and 4.79m long, the 508 SW's proportions give it quite a dynamic body shape, stylised by smooth, flowing lines and a sleek, low roof. The look is further enhanced further by exterior details, including frameless doors - a unique estate car feature for a mainstream carmaker. As before, the unusual style-led exterior looks are mirrored by an original interior, with a redesigned dashboard and centre console. The fascia's still highlighted, as mentioned in our 'Driving' section, by the usual Peugeot i-Cockpit dashboard design, plus there's a large 10-inch capacitive infotainment touchscreen angled towards the driver and you can have a 12.3-inch head-up digital instrument display. The centre screen benefits from updated media tech, allowing for wider customisation options. The auto gear shifter's different too, switching from the previous old-school 'trigger' to the more discreet finger-pull selector that now features on other Stellantis Group models. The rear seat space is reasonable, but three adults will need to be on friendly terms. As for practicality, there's a hands-free, powered tailgate, a 530-litre boot and a 'Magic Flat' function for the rear bench seat which retracts to reveal a total load space capacity of 1780-litres (both those figures for conventionally-engined models).

Market and Model

You'll need to think in terms of 508 SW pricing starting from around £48,000 for the only model still available, the Hybrid 225 PHEV with top 'GT'-spec. It comes with EAT8 auto transmission and this estate commands a £1,200 premium over the equivalent Fastback hatch body shape. 'GT'-spec includes plenty of equipment; 18-inch 'Epherra' diamond-cut two-tone wheels and part-faux leather upholstery paired with Alcantara and 'Aikinite' stitching extended into the dashboard, doors and steering wheel. Other 'GT'-spec additions include aluminium pedals, blue ambient lighting, Nera Black door mirrors, a 360-degree 'Visio Park' camera system and heated front seats that are ergonomically approved by the AGR organisation, who campaign for healthy backs. Plus there are various drive assist features and the SW version gets aluminium boot rails. Plus there's Connected 3D Navigation with voice recognition, automatic dual zone climate control and the 'Peugeot i-Cockpit' digital instrument binnacle screen. Options include a superb 'FOCAL' surround sound Hi-Fi system, night vision and a wireless smartphone charger. The wrap-around seats can be specified with five multi-point massage programmes, there's a range of premium and sophisticated trim and upholstery materials and you can have a panoramic opening glass roof. All the usual drive assistance elements are included - and you can have level two semi-autonomous capability. Expect to find features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane assist, rear parking sensors, a rear reversing camera and an automatic high beam.

Cost of Ownership

Peugeot usually specialises in extremely efficient running cost returns and this 508 SW is no different in that regard. Let's get to the figures. We've covered the 42.3 mile WLTP-rated all-electric driving range; it's actually more like around 30 miles in real-world use. And we also ought to apply real-world thinking to projections of likely fuel economy because the fantasy-land official combined WLTP figures (up to 274.8mpg) clearly aren't likely to be replicated by the average owner. As a feather-foot, we suppose 80-90mpg might theoretically be possible but your realistic average is going to be much less than that - and certainly less than you'd get from an equivalent diesel model. Rely on the petrol engine alone and you'd struggle to average 35mpg. WLTP emissions are rated at up to 23g/km. These stats will mean attractively low BiK figures. Or they will for the mainstream Hybrid model anyway. Bear in mind that you'll need to find £500 extra to upgrade your 508 Hybrid to a model incorporating a 7.4kWh fast charger that would be capable of accepting charge from anything faster than a domestic three-pin socket. This halves charging time when charging with a typical garage 7kW wallbox. And it really ought to be standard. Charging the 12.4kWh battery takes 1 hour 45 minutes from empty to full using a 7.4kW garage wallbox. You can use a provided smartphone app to set low-tariff charging times. Insurance is group 36E.

Summary

This improved version of the second generation 508 SW is smarter, cleverer and better equipped. In other words, we're talking about a very complete package. Would you really want the kind of stripped-out, basic BMW 3 Series Touring or Audi A5 Avant you'd have to pay more for in preference to one of these? More pertinently perhaps, would you rather have a more ordinary-feeling Volkswagen Passat or Skoda Superb estate? These are key questions if you're in the market for a conventional spacious station wagon of this sort. Try a 508 SW and you might well find that answering them is a little easier.