AFTER EIGHT(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 56

A significant number of Peugeot 508 customers choose the SW estate 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.

Background word count: 162

The humble station wagon. No longer quite so humble these days. In fact, estates have become something of a fashion statement in recent years. You'd choose one over the ordinary saloon model even if you didn't necessarily need the extra carrying space. Most Peugeot 508 buyers do. Here's the 508 SW model, in this case rejuvenated to take on a raft of tough rivals including estate versions of models like the Skoda Superb and the Volkswagen Passat. So today, what does a potential 508 SW buyer now really want? Experience in the market suggests three things: style, class and technology. In response, Peugeot has put a lot more thought into this car. It looks more up-market - and we're promised that it will feel that way when you take a seat behind the wheel. There's extra hi-tech equipment too, with things you'd have to pay extra for on some rivals. So, has the French brand got this recipe right? Let's find out.

Driving Experience word count: 338

As you'd expect, this SW variant drives just as its saloon stablemate does. The hardware certainly looks promising here and there are no significant mechanical updates. Which is surprising because on the base PureTech 130 petrol model, we'd expected to see the mild hybrid 48V tech lately introduced into this engine in the 3008 and 5008 SUVs; doubtless that'll be along shortly. As before, that 1.2-litre three cylinder engine putting out 130hp can only be had with EAT8 8-speed auto transmission. This time round though, there's no accompanying alternative 1.5-litre four cylinder BlueHDi diesel. To replace diesel drive, Peugeot can offer you 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. There's a mainstream Hybrid 225 variant with this poweryrain which manages to WLTP-rated EV driving range figure of 42.3 miles. If you want to go faster in a 508 Hybrid SW, you'll need the pricey Peugeot Sport Engineered 360hp 4WD version, which trims the 0-62mph time to just 5.2s. What's a mainstream 508 SW 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". That's a slight exaggeration but you might be surprised by just how crisply this 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. Or maybe it won't be an illusion. Higher-spec models are fitted out with adaptive damping. And all variants get the usual drive modes system, which adapts steering, throttle and gear change timings to the way you want to drive.