by Nowadays, D-class models are being chosen less and less, with preferences shifting toward crossovers. And if they are chosen, then such well-known cars as the Toyota Camry and VW Passat are preferred. Despite the stiff competition and even monopoly in this class, Peugeot doesn’t give up on its attempts to “conquer the world.”
I won’t talk about the exact sales figures of its predecessor, but visually, the success of the Peugeot 508 (and the 308 wagon for that matter) in Ukraine came after Ukrainians began actively bringing cars from Europe.
Despite the decline in the new car market and the expansion of “battered” imports from the US and “blahs” from Europe, Peugeot introduced the next-generation 508 to the market. And recently, the new Peugeot 508 became the Car of the Year in Ukraine. Does this mean that it will “break” the competitors?
The second-generation Peugeot 508 is more compact than its predecessor and looks like a 4-door coupe, which it actually is not.
The new 508 is a liftback. Not only does it have a sloping roof, but even frameless windows on the doors. Of course, the LED headlights with “fangs” of daytime running lights/indicators are noteworthy. The taillights resemble claw marks. And if the car is in red and in the GT-Line configuration, like ours, it is no less striking than, say, an Alfa Romeo.
The interior features a mix of Nappa leather and wood-like inserts, and the lighting is LED.
The i-Cockpit style interior looks no less avant-garde, although this is already commonplace for modern Peugeot models. The steering wheel is small and flat on the top and bottom, and the virtual instrument cluster is placed quite high. The graphics can change depending on the selected driving mode, and you can display a navigation map on the screen.
The large 10-inch touchscreen is angled toward the driver, almost like a laptop via this link. There aren’t many buttons for audio and climate control, and some of them are touch-sensitive. The brand’s signature curved gear lever is positioned high on the inclined center console.
By the way, the console is two-tiered – with wireless smartphone charging hidden below. Interestingly, even the cupholders have LED light strips.
The seating position in the Peugeot 508 is very low, and it takes some getting used to the visibility. The seats are comfortable, with pronounced side support bolsters, and are equipped with electric adjustment (with memory settings for the driver), heating, and even massage.
On the second row, tall people will still feel a bit cramped, as the curved roof significantly steals headroom. However, there is enough space for average-height people. The trunk capacity of the 508 is 487 liters and 1357 liters with the rear seats folded down.
The fifth door is equipped with an electric drive and a sensor for opening.
Overall, the equipment of the Peugeot 508 GT-Line is very rich: keyless entry, electric package, dual-zone climate control, light and rain sensors, rearview camera, powerful Focal audio system. In addition, there are systems for recognizing road signs, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist (which actually steers the car). The tested version even has a night vision system – usually a feature of more expensive and higher-class models.
The 2-liter turbo diesel with 180 hp is the top engine in the Ukrainian market (in Europe, there are more powerful hybrid versions of the Peugeot 508). For good acceleration, the gas pedal needs to be pressed hard, as the engine truly wakes up at around 2000 rpm. At that point, the peak torque of 400 Nm is achieved.
During acceleration, the engine is, of course, audible, although it is practically silent on the highway. In city driving with traffic, our fuel consumption was around 8.2-8.4 l/100 km.
Despite the Peugeot 508’s sporty appearance, the chassis is more tuned for comfort. The suspension pleasantly surprised us – even on rough roads with 18-inch wheels, the ride remains comfortable. Although in our conditions, the car is still low and the front bumper can sometimes be a concern.
The steering is light, but in Sport mode, it noticeably gains weight. The large liftback maneuvers well, and understeer rarely manifests.
No complaints about the soundproofing either – the cabin is really quiet. Even when driving at 200!
The Peugeot 508 is one of the most attractive and unconventional representatives of the modern D-class. In Ukraine, liftback prices start at 729,700 hryvnias for the basic 1.5-liter version, and the 2.0-liter GT-Line version costs from 922,100 hryvnias.
- 4-cylinder turbo diesel, transverse front-mounted
- Capacity 1997 cm3
- Power 180 at 3750 rpm
- Maximum torque 400 Nm at 2000 rpm
- Front-wheel drive
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- Maximum speed 231 km/h
- 0-100 km/h acceleration in 9.4 s
- Fuel consumption city/highway 6.4/4.4 l/100 km
- Length/width/height/wheelbase 4750/1907/1403/2793 mm
- Trunk volume 487-1357 l
- Ground clearance 136 mm
- Turning diameter 10.8 m
