Peugeot 508 PSE review
The Peugeot 508 PSE is an extremely handsome, fast and comfortable performance plug-in hybrid. Electric range is a bit limited, though
- Cash
- £50,836
- Monthly
- £699*
- Used
- £43,975
What's good
What's not so good
Find out more about the Peugeot 508 PSE
Is the Peugeot 508 PSE a good car?
If you want to slash your fuel bill but aren’t quite prepared to give up on the performance car lifestyle, the new Peugeot 508 PSE might be right up your alley. Not only can this practical plug-in hybrid saloon accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds, Peugeot also claims it can travel 26 miles on nothing but electricity.
It’s definitely a sight for sore eyes, too, which is a good thing considering it’s set to go up against go-faster versions of the BMW 3 Series and Volvo S60.
The regular 508 is already one of the most handsome saloon cars around; but with its massive 20 inch alloys, aggressive new bodywork and vivid green accents, this new Peugeot Sport Engineered 508 looks more athletic than ever before. Kind of like Brad Pitt would if he was wearing his gym kit.
This sporting theme continues on the inside. It’s all dark leather upholstery, soft touch plastics and bright, contrasting stitching in here – and they all combine to pretty stunning effect. The 508 PSE looks and feels like a properly high-end sporting saloon. A digital instrument binnacle and good-sized infotainment screen add to the car’s tech appeal, too.
However, the driving position is a bit more of a controversial issue. The seats offer plenty of adjustment and are impressively supportive, but the low-set, small-diameter steering wheel might just feel plain weird to some. Headroom in the back is pretty tight too, but this go-faster 508 does at least have a large boot.
It’ll get you and your luggage down the road very quickly, too. By combining a regular petrol engine with not one, but two electric motors (one at each end for all-wheel-drive), the 508 PSE puts down an impressive 355hp. And when you’re not in a mood to really get your foot down, its 11.5kWh battery will let you travel 26 miles on nothing but electricity.
Admittedly, that claimed figure is a touch limited next to other sporty plug-in hybrid saloons, which is important if you’re planning on running one as a company car. As it stands, it slots into the 13% benefit-in-kind tax bracket.
The 508 PSE is an impressively quick car in a straight line, but it’s a shame it doesn’t have better electric range
Don’t let the 508’s sporty looks and performance fool you into thinking that it’s too hardcore for daily use, either. Sure, you’re aware of its more athletic suspension when you’re driving around town or out on the motorway, but it doesn’t crash over bumps and is impressively comfortable over distance. Those large 20-inch alloys to generate a fair bit of road noise, mind.
Still, this is a problem that can be easily solved. The Peugeot 508 PSE comes with an excellent Focal premium sound system as standard, along with everything from DAB radio, to Bluetooth, and satellite navigation to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s lots of useful safety tech, too. A 360-degree camera and rear parking sensors will come in handy in town; while things like adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist will help to keep things comfortable and safe on the motorway.
Of course, a car with this much sporting potential and on-board tech isn’t particularly cheap. Prices start at just under £54,000, which is about what you’d pay for a plug-in hybrid from Volvo, or for a genuine six-cylinder performance car from BMW.
But if this handsome French athlete is up your alley, head on over to our deals page to see how much money we can save you on a new Peugeot 508 PSE.
How practical is it?
The 508 PSE has a big boot, but the driving position is a bit strange and headroom in the back is tight
What's it like to drive?
The 508 PSE is quick in a straight line and surprisingly comfortable given its sporty set up, but electric range is limited
What's it like inside?
Peugeot 508 PSE brings the wow-factor and is generously equipped, but the infotainment system could be more responsive
Peugeot 508 PSE colours
-
- Free
-
- From £600
-
- From £750
- Cash
- £50,836
- Monthly
- £699*
- Used
- £43,975
Build your own 508 PSE on carwow
Save on average £3,266 off RRP
*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.