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In 2023, Peugeot's classy medium range 508 SW estate model sharpened up its act. A significant number of Peugeot 508 customers choose this SW 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.
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History
The humble station wagon. No longer quite so humble by the beginning of this century's third decade. In fact, by then estates had become something of a fashion statement. Customers tended to choose then over the ordinary saloon model even if they didn't necessarily need the extra carrying space. Most Peugeot 508 buyers did anyway. The R83-era 508 model in question in this case was first launched in 2018, then updated five years on to create the car we're going to look at here in its SW estate form.
The improvements were necessary to allow this Peugeot to continue to compete with all-new versions of its two key rivals back in 2023, estate versions of the Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb. A 508 SW customer though, was typically looking for something a bit sportier and fashionable than those two competitors - two areas that Peugeot further concentrated on as part of this update. As a result, it looked more up-market in this form - especially in top 'Peugeot Sport Engineered' form - and buyers were promised that it would feel that way when they took a seat behind the wheel. There was extra hi-tech equipment too, with things original buyers would have had to pay extra for on rivals.
By 2023, diesels were no more for 508 buyers, PHEV powertrains were prioritised and the potent 'Peugeot Sport Engineered' model continued as the range flagship. In this form, the car sold until late-2025, when it was discontinued and not replaced.
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What you get
If you were familiar with the original version of this second generation 508 SW, you'll immediately notice that the front end of this post-2023-era updated model gained a considerably sleeker look. With this update, there were three lighting 'fangs' and a redesigned grille, similar to that which by 2023 featured on the smaller 408, had gloss and textured black features, as well as the latest Peugeot emblem. Plus the narrow beady LED headlights gained standard-fit matrix tech.
As before with this R83-era 508, the idea with this estate model was 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 car maker.
Inside up front, the screen tech was changed as part of the 2023 update, but not a lot else, which means that as with an earlier MK2 508, the first thing you'll initially notice is the so-called 'i-Cockpit' ergonomic layout, Peugeot's term for interior design that positions you so that you're looking at the instruments over the top of the steering wheel rather than viewing them through it. That wheel is small and low-set, facilitating a wrist-flick quality of steering feel that Peugeot always reckoned its owners really liked.
As you'd hope for a car tilting at premium prices, it all feels satisfyingly high end, particularly in the 'GT' form you'll want with its Aikinite-stitched dash and door panels, perforated Mistral leather steering wheel, blue ambient lighting, silver pedals and aluminium door sills. All the trim levels feature part-leather upholstery and if you avoid base trim, you get particularly comfortable multi-power-adjustable front seats, approved by the AGR organisation who campaign for healthy backs. True, the build quality doesn't feel quite as 'hewn from granite' as it would in, say, an Audi, but by 2023 Peugeot was certainly getting there and its approach to design was vastly more interesting.
The redesigned instrument display in this updated MK2 508 was as in the original version, so as before a fully configurable and customisable 12.3-inch colour screen, though as part of this update it gained new generation dials with a crisper resolution - and additional display modes. Just about anything else you might want to know can be found on the 10-inch 'i-Connect Advanced' central screen (also redesigned as part of this update), which offered a wireless connection for 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto', over-the-air updates and a supposedly advanced “OK Peugeot” natural language voice recognition system.
On the rear seat there's just about enough leg room for a couple of adults, provided the journey isn't too long. The bigger problem is head space, which will be even more restricted if you get a car whose original owner specified the optional panoramic glass roof. Compensations come with the plush cabin ambiance - the intricate stitching on the seats and door cards - and little touches like the illuminated central USB-A ports: all of it delivers an elegant feel.
As for load bay practicality, there's a hands-free, powered tailgate, which raises to reveal a 530-litre boot, which is 43-litres bigger than the Fastback model and (rather impressively) not affected in size by the PHEV system, should you choose that. A ski hatch is provided, but if you need to flatten everything using the 'Magic Flat' seat retraction catches provided on the cargo bay sidewalls, up to 1,780-litres of space is revealed, 243-litres more than you'd get in the Fastback.
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What to look for
Most MK2 508 SW buyers we came across seemed satisfied. But inevitably there were a few issues. With the 1.2 and 1.6 litre petrol engines, the weak point from these units in other Peugeot models is the timing chain drive, but we haven't come across any instances of timing change breakage with this MK2 508. We've heard of defective parking sensors. And thoroughly check the functionality of the centre screen, which has a reputation for freezing and glitches, plus navigation failures and software issues.
The wheel bearings on higher mileage models can make noise - look out for this on your test drive. There are also problems with the steering rack: it can knock and leak. Though the body is not prone to corrosion, red spots can sometimes be found in the wheel arches. Check the junction of the wings to the bumper for peeling paintwork. With the Fastback, water can get inside the boot when the rear hatch is raised, so inspect the inside of the trunk carefully for dampness and mould. Older cars can exhibit problems with the keyless entry system - usually caused through water getting into the door handles. Otherwise, it's just the usual things; check the interior for child scrapes - and the wheels and rear bumpers for parking scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2023 508 1.6 Hybrid PHEV SW excl. VAT - autodoc) Expect to pay around £5-£10 bracket for an oil filter, in the £6-£11 bracket for an air filter and around £4-£8 for a fuel filter. Front brake pads vary in price from £28-£63. For front brake discs, think in around the £38-£92 bracket. A timing belt and water pump kit costs in the £80-£150 bracket. A starter motor costs in the £112-£26 bracket. An alternator is in the £790-£930 bracket. A radiator is in the £66-£175 bracket.
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On the road
There were no significant mechanical updates made as part of the 2023 update - which was surprising because on the base PureTech 130 petrol model back then, we'd expected to see the mild hybrid 48V tech that had lately been introduced into this engine in the brand's 3008 SUVs. As before in a 508, that 1.2-litre three cylinder engine putting out 130hp could only be had with EAT8 8-speed auto transmission. By 2023 though, there was no accompanying alternative 1.5-litre four cylinder BlueHDi diesel. To replace diesel drive, Peugeot offered buyers a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain based around a 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine, mated to a 110hp electric motor powered by a 12.4kWh battery which when fully charged could offer an EV range of up to 42.3 miles. That's with the front-driven Hybrid 225 model, which delivers a faintly unbelieve set of claimed efficiency stats - 274.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 23g/km of CO2. Charging from empty to full via a 7.4kW wallbox takes an hour and 45 minutes.
If you want to go fast in a 508 Hybrid, you'll need the pricey 'Peugeot Sport Engineered' 360hp AWD version, which trims the 0-62mph time to just 5.2s. But that 'PSE' version's not our focus here. What's a mainstream 508 like on the road? Well Peugeot's bold claim at the original launch of this car was that "if you drive it, you'll buy it". Don't expect from this that we're looking at a super sharp-handling BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe rival here, but you might be surprised by just how crisply the 508 responds - and of course it's a consummate high speed cruiser, aided by a well-judged supple multi-link rear suspension set-up. At the wheel of any 508, you're positioned in front of Peugeot's distinctive 'i-Cockpit' dashboard layout, which as usual, sees you looking over the rim of the steering wheel at the instrument dials, rather than conventionally through it. And as usual, the leather-stitched tiller in question is a small, grippy thing which gives you the illusion of greater interaction with the car. And all variants get the usual drive modes system, which adapts steering, throttle and gear change timings to the way you want to drive.
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Overall
This improved post-2023-era version of the second generation 508 SW was 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 A4 Avant from this era 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 from the 2023-2025 period. Try a 508 SW and you might well find that answering them is a little easier.
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