Peugeot 508 Hybrid Review

Peugeot 508 Hybrid performance

You’re unlikely to be looking at the Peugeot 508 plug-in hybrid for its performance, although the combined power of 222bhp can give the impression that it’s got the potential to thrill. Sadly, while there is a decent slug of acceleration if you want it, in reality the Peugeot’s pace is fairly underwhelming. It’s muscular enough to make very light work of the odd overtake or enthusiastic exit into traffic, but it just isn’t a performance car by any stretch. 

It’s much more a car for relaxing in. The electric motor will carry the car up to 84mph on its own and offers enough speed and response to make you feel comfortable even on the motorway. When the petrol engine does kick in it’s not too noticeable although there is a bit of vibration as it starts up, and the eight-speed automatic gearbox does a fine job of slurring through shifts and keeping things smooth.

Peugeot 508 Hybrid drive 

The 508 is a nice drive. Just nice. Nothing exceptional, nothing to annoy you. Well, there is that small steering wheel, which gives a sharp response as you turn into a corner – some drivers may like the impression of keen cornering that such rapid steering response gives, but it can feel fairly artificial to us. 

Otherwise it really is just a pleasure to drive, and is easy to steer fluidly through town or down the motorway. There are drive modes to toggle through that can sharpen up the throttle response and make the car feel a little sharper, but most will be more than happy to leave it in its default setting. 

Ride comfort is also decent, but it can be a little busy over town roads – especially if you’ve gone for bigger wheels. It settles well at high speeds, helping to make the 508 a great motorway cruiser in particular. 

We haven’t driven the SW estate, yet, so we’ll have to hold judgement on that until we’ve had a go.