Peugeot 508 review

Overview

The second-generation 508 is a five-door fastback, despite often appearing in saloon listings. Here the selection is a 2019 UK Allure with the 1.5 BlueHDi 130 engine and eight-speed EAT8 automatic, not the old saloon, SW estate, later facelift or plug-in hybrid. It aims at buyers who want a long-distance family car with more visual character than a conventional business hatchback. RoadMatch's case for it is strongest when motorway mileage supports the diesel, the dashboard suits the driver and rear space is sufficient. The review is an original synthesis of documentation and published assessments, with no claim to a RoadMatch test drive.

Exterior and interior

Its low roof, frameless side windows and shaped dashboard give the 508 an unusually deliberate identity. That individuality also creates a purchase test: Peugeot's small steering wheel and high-mounted instrument display should be assessed with your actual seating position. Looking attractive in photographs is not enough if the rim obscures the information you need. The February 2019 Allure guide supports heated front seats and a larger central display, but massage seats, panoramic glass and other flagship touches must not be assumed. Inspect the window seals and indexing operation as carefully as the upholstery. These doors make a good impression when working correctly and an expensive irritation when they do not.

Practicality

The rear screen lifts with the hatch, allowing much easier access to bulky luggage than a traditional saloon's narrow opening. Peugeot quotes 487 litres with the seats up for this fastback, not the SW estate's larger capacity. The boot remains only one part of the family-car equation: a low roof can make climbing into the rear less convenient, and taller passengers need to check head clearance. Test your child restraints and weekly load together rather than separately. The rear bench folds for occasional larger loads, but the shelf, loading lip and angled tailgate still constrain tall objects. Buyers moving from an SUV should also try loading while parked on a slope.

Driving experience

Auto Express's assessment supports composed motorway travel with a firmer low-speed character; Carwow similarly treats comfort and style as strengths while questioning the sporting promise. RoadMatch consequently recommends assessing the 508 as an individual touring car, not assuming its silhouette delivers sports-saloon responses. This BlueHDi 130 cannot be credited with the adaptive suspension fitted to some petrol or higher-spec examples: the period guide excludes it for this engine. Include rough urban streets in the test route before deciding that the car will be relaxing everywhere. Check the EAT8's response when creeping, reversing and accelerating from a roundabout, as those situations expose behaviour that a motorway-only demonstration can conceal.

Performance

The period technical table gives the selected engine 96 kW, approximately 129 bhp, and a 10.0-second 0–62 mph time with EAT8. The manual's different figure and the larger diesel engines' stronger performance are not interchangeable. This is enough for ordinary touring but should not be confused with the power of the more dramatic-looking GT or PSE cars. The eight ratios allow the engine to work without constant manual input, though asking for immediate acceleration can still require a downshift. On a loaded test drive, consider the margin available for joining traffic and overtaking. Smooth, consistent response matters more than an informal acceleration trial on a used example.

Fuel economy

The February 2019 manufacturer table provides a WLTP combined range of 51.4–58.6 mpg for the BlueHDi 130 EAT8 across configurations. It does not identify a single universal figure for every Allure with every option, so RoadMatch does not put a convenient maximum into the numeric economy field. For budgeting, this review uses an explicit 48 mpg assumption instead. Repeated longer journeys offer the clearest case for a diesel; predominantly cold starts and short urban trips weaken it even if the dashboard briefly shows an impressive number. Establish the actual wheel size and emission details from the car's paperwork. Do not borrow plug-in-hybrid laboratory figures from current 508 advertisements.

Reliability

A seven-year-old 508 should be bought on evidence of care, not its original premium positioning. Peugeot identifies premature camshaft-chain wear in certain 2017–2023 1.5 BlueHDi engines and lists the second-generation 508 among the relevant models. The recall is phased: a currently clear VIN search is not a permanent exclusion, and not every 508 is affected. Obtain Peugeot's build-specific guidance, completed-work records and invoices identifying the lubricant used; investigate abnormal engine noise before purchase. AdBlue or particulate-filter warnings need diagnosis, not a promise that a long drive will cure them. Exercise the automatic transmission, electric parking brake and cabin electronics from cold. RoadMatch's moderate-confidence judgment is not a measured failure frequency; incomplete maintenance evidence materially weakens the purchase case.

Safety

The relevant official record is Euro NCAP's 2018 second-generation 508 assessment, which identifies a 1.5 BlueHDi test car. That is appropriate generation context, but it does not certify the condition of an individual 2019 Allure. The period UK guide lists emergency braking and lane-related assistance; optional adaptive cruise should be confirmed rather than inferred from a camera visible behind the windscreen. This review does not reproduce protected test ratings, percentages or artwork. Inspect for accident repairs around sensors, glass and front bodywork, and ensure there are no assistance-system faults. Run the GOV.UK recall check and ask Peugeot for completed and outstanding VIN campaigns, keeping the resulting paperwork with the service history.

Technology and features

Allure's period equipment is genuinely useful: a ten-inch central screen, digital instruments, smartphone integration, parking sensors and a reversing camera support daily use. The important ownership question is whether each function remains dependable. Pair your own phone, start navigation, make a call and operate the climate controls without accepting a sales demonstration that skips awkward menus. Live navigation services originally had a time-limited subscription, so current connectivity requires a separate check. Night vision, upgraded audio, adaptive cruise and richer parking systems are not universal simply because another 508 review displays them. The dashboard's attractive presentation should not distract from screen responsiveness, USB condition or the availability of both original keys.

Running costs

As of 3 October 2026, RoadMatch's editorial purchase envelope is £10,500–£15,500 and its annual planning allowance is £2,100–£2,800 for 8,000 miles. Neither is a live valuation or insurance quote. The running estimate assumes 48 mpg and diesel at £1.50 per litre, with servicing, tyre wear and a routine maintenance reserve; finance, depreciation and major unforeseen repairs are excluded. Confirm the registered vehicle's tax position and obtain a personal insurance quote before deciding affordability. Optional larger wheels and worn frameless-window hardware can change the budget. A car needing emissions-system work or engine remedial attention should be costed from a written diagnosis rather than squeezed into an optimistic allowance.

Advantages and disadvantages