2021 Peugeot 508 review: Sedan delivers good looks and luxury in spades

This car could be considered one of the best looking machines on Aussie streets and it brings value and luxury in generous portions.

2021 Peugeot 508

Sedans are quickly going the way of the Dodo, but this one is one of the best on the road and has French style and flair to spare.

IT’S A HEAD TURNER

Looks are subjective but you’d be hard pressed to find folks who don’t admire Peugeot’s 508. It’s one of those cars that looks fast standing still. The low roofline is complemented by 18-inch wheels, sporty tyres and twin exhausts. Our test car’s metallic grey paint job was low-key but classy, while the LED light treatment at the front and the “lion’s claw” pattern for the rear LEDs give it extra presence after dark. It’s not likely to be a common sight around the neighbourhood, either, as the stylish French sedan has found just 55 homes this year.

The 508 has crisp styling that SUVs just can’t match.

CABIN PRESENTATION A CUT ABOVE

The 508’s interior feels pretty special. All the materials, details and finishes are high-quality, from the genuine Nappa leather bucket seats with intricate stitching to the carbon fibre and glossy piano black highlights on the doors, dash and centre console. Alloy pedals and a compact, flat-bottomed perforated leather steering wheel add a sporty feel, while blue ambient lighting adds to the atmosphere at night. The centre touchscreen is easy to navigate and there are buttons for the most frequently used functions. The digital readout in front of the driver can be configured to suit the driver’s taste, displaying as much or as little information as required. There are a couple of quirks – the needle on the tacho readout moves in reverse – but overall it’s a well-thought out display. If you choose the sport setting in the drive-mode selection the instruments glow red.

It isn’t powerful, but the 508 is a blast to drive.

NOT SHORT-CHANGED FOR GADGETS

It’s not a cheap car at roughly $62,500 on the road, but the 508 has all the mod-cons, including Apple Car Play/Android Auto, digital radio, 3D satellite navigation, wireless smartphone charging and four USB ports, including two for rear passengers. There’s also a high-end Focal audio system with 10 speakers that delivers a warm, live sound with excellent clarity. Other nice touches include heated side mirrors that fold automatically when you lock the car and dip when you select reverse, making it easier to avoid grazing a wheel on the kerb.

The cabin is lavished with top shelf material and plenty of hi-tech gadgets.

THERE ARE COMPROMISES, THOUGH

That low roofline and the car’s compact dimensions mean life is more comfortable in the front than the back seats, where room is tight. The rear load area is also shallow, although the addition of a 12-volt plug is a nice touch. Vision isn’t great over the shoulder for the driver, thanks to thick rear pillars and a smallish rear window, but there are blind-spot warning lamps on the side mirrors to make sure you don’t miss anything when changing lanes. Lane-keep assist and radar cruise control make life easier as well, although it’s missing the rear-cross traffic alert feature common at this price.

IT’S FUN TO DRIVE

The 508 isn’t a sports car, but neither is it a dull family sedan. The 165kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbo four is flexible, combining reasonable punch off the mark with a willingness to rev. An 8.1 second sprint to 100km/h is nothing flash, but the 508 still feels sporty to drive. It’s nimble through the corners, with communicative steering, sharp turn-in and impressive bump absorption. Choose “sport” mode and the car changes character, with sharper responses. It’s no BMW 3-Series, but it would hold its own with most rivals on a strip of twisting tarmac.

Originally published as 2021 Peugeot 508 review: Sedan delivers good looks and luxury in spades