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John Mahoney1 Nov 2018
REVIEW

Peugeot 508 Fastback 2019 Review -- International

Peugeot 508 Fastback outclasses all its rivals for looks, matches most for their drive but won’t be cheap and will leave some buyers wanting more space
Review Type
International Launch
Review Location
Paris, France

Peugeot once ruled the roost when it came to making large comfortable family sedans. Back in the 1960s and ’70s few car-makers, Ford, Holden and the Germans included, could measure up to the legendary Aussie-assembled 404 and 504's cossetting ride, decent drive, unburstable reliability and ability to shrug off huge distances. Peugeot's success continued, globally at least, into the early ’90s before suddenly losing its way. Fast forward and Peugeot claims it has rediscovered the formula for a compelling large sedan with its new 508 -- a car the French car-maker hopes will once again tempt Australians to turn their back on not only the Holden Commodore but more expensive premium rivals.

The last Peugeot 508 played it safe and the results were so forgettable, it barely made a mark on the large sedan landscape.

We're glad then, with its follow up, the French marque’s designers were finally allowed to fully uncork their creative juices when penning the all-new Peugeot 508.

The result is a vehicle so downright stylish, it looks exotic and almost alien in a class full of dowdy sedans.

Details like the sleek new Peugeot 508's striking low-slung proportions, frameless doors and intricate rear tail lamps (that live beneath a layer of glass) set the French car apart from its rivals. In fact, in the flesh it looks more concept than a real life alternative to the Holden Commodore or Mazda6.

Perhaps more impressive is the cabin where the designers haven't let the side down. Blending stylish unlacquered (real) wood with the company's latest minimalist i-Cockpit design, the 508 looks cool and feels special in a way a VW Passat or Toyota Camry doesn't.

Speaking of which, competing against traditional sedans, the Peugeot 508 Fastback is actually a large hatchback, hence its rakish looks.

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Smaller but perfectly formed

Switching to the EMP2 platform (which also underpins the 308), the Peugeot 508 has shrunk compared to the old car.

This has helped Peugeot claim a weight-saving of around 70kg over the car it replaces but it also means it's dwarfed by traditional rivals, like the Holden Commodore. The 508 is a considerable 147mm shorter than the imported Commodore, fractionally narrower but a noticeable 52mm lower.

Urban dwellers might rejoice in its more compact dimensions but, inevitably, the smaller footprint sees both the Holden and the VW beat the 508 for rear leg and headroom making it a bit of a squeeze for large adults, although the 508 still manages to swallow 487 litres of luggage -- nominally only 3 litres smaller than a Commodore.

Despite sharing underpinnings with the 308, the larger 508 gets a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension that benefits both ride and handling.

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But compromise required

Behind the wheel, we're happy to report the Peugeot 508's latest interpretation of the i-Cockpit cabin design is its most successful yet. That said, some drivers will still have to compromise their driving position to avoid obscuring part of the high-set dash with the diminutive 14-inch steering wheel.

Aside from that gripe, the clean approach to the cabin design remains impressive, as does the way it all works.

For Australia, Peugeot will keep the 508 line-up simple choosing to import just one engine -- the turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that was originally co-developed with BMW.

Under the bonnet the 508 comes with either 133kW/250Nm or 169kW/300Nm That might sound a lot for such a small capacity petrol but, remember, the same engine powering the 308 GTI churns out an even more muscular 200kW/330Nm, so there's plenty left in reserve.

Whichever power output you choose, the 508 comes equipped with an Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic -- there's no manual option.

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French made

We began our Peugeot 508 launch drive in the less powerful 133kW version in GT Line spec before trying the more powerful 169kW in the high-spec GT trim.

Off the line, neither sets the segment alight for performance. The less powerful Fastback takes 7.9sec to hit 100km/h, while the punchier version is 0-6sec secs quicker.

Shame, since both cars are claimed to be the lightest in their class. Perhaps letting the side down is the 1.6-litre turbo that isn't especially smooth and, understandably, considering size, it feels like it needs to work hard to deliver its best.

For now, all versions channel their power through the front wheels but a faster 508 R plug-in hybrid is rumoured to be in the works that combines the turbocharged 1.6-litre with two electric motors.

In Europe a front-wheel drive plug-in hybrid will also be offered in 2020 but it's unlikely to make the journey Down Under until both the charging infrastructure and demand for plug-ins increases.

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Agile and adjustable

Back behind the wheel of the Peugeot 508 and the reduced mass is instantly noticeable, especially when the country roads we're driving become more challenging.

This Peugeot demonstrates agility not normally associated with cars in its class. Amplifying this sense of nimbleness is the small-diameter steering wheel, although the steering itself is quick, light but lifeless.

Push a little harder and the 508 is engaging and adjustable, although rear-drive premium rivals like the BMW 3 Series still edge it in the driving stakes, while the all-wheel drive V6-powered Commodore offers better traction in the wet or on dirt roads.

Clawing back points, the new generation Peugeot 508 is impressively quiet and refined place to spend time. Comfortable too. Its standard massage seats are a joy while the suspension seems capable of soaking up the worst of a road's imperfections, although the ultimate test will be to drive the 508 on our battle-scarred surfaces.

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Two trims to spec

Peugeot Australia says it's yet to finalise the full specification of the two trims it plans to introduce but all 508s will come with autonomous emergency braking as standard.

We'll reserve judgement until the car-maker confirms what exactly we'll be getting but initial pricing has been estimated to kick off from $45,000 -- around $10,000 more expensive than the cheapest Commodore, meaning the least powerful 508 will line up against the far punchier all-wheel drive RS V6 Holden.

At that price, the 508 will face other stiff competition from the handsome new Toyota Camry, the Kia Stinger and cars like the Subaru Liberty -- all offer more performance but, crucially, none seduce you in the looks department quite in the same way as the 508.

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Of course, another option, would be to avoid the Fastback altogether and opt for its even more stylish, spacious and impossibly cool 508 wagon that also arrives in 2019.

In any case, for now I think we can all be glad that Peugeot has seemingly rediscovered its flair for making large desirable family cars.

Peugeot 508 Fastback pricing and specifications:
Price: From $45,000 - $55,000 (estimated)
On sale: Q2 2019
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Outputs: 169kW and 300Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.5L/100km
CO2: 140g/km
Safety rating: not tested

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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
78/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
14/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
13/20
Safety & Technology
18/20
Behind The Wheel
15/20
X-Factor
18/20
Pros
  • Exotic looks
  • Cabin design
  • Spirited drive
Cons
  • Concerns over pricing
  • Tight access to rear seats
  • Others offer more space
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