The Peugeot 508 SW is a large estate car intended to appeal to business and family drivers. In 2014 it was refreshed and its nose was made sharper and more assertive.

The SW is more practical than its saloon sibling and we think it’s also better looking, with an elegant silhouette.

The problem that Peugeot faces is the decreasing popularity of large cars as buyers flock to crossovers and SUVs. Despire this, there's still plenty of competition from the big players, including the Ford Mondeo Estate, Vauxhall Insignia Tourer and the Volkswagen Passat Estate to name but a few.

Performance

Under the bonnet of our test car was a 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel engine producing 150bhp. With plenty of pulling power on tap, this Peugeot makes overtaking slower traffic child’s play. It also feels smooth and refined, with little clatter even when the engine restarts at traffic lights, thanks to the stop and start system.

For a big car, its performance times read well; the 508 SW can reach 62mph from a standing start in 10.1 seconds, with a top speed of 130mph. You'll have to be careful though, because the six-speed gearbox is a little notchy between first and second gear, meaning you can select fourth by mistake.

Other engines in the range include a 1.6 e-HDi unit, a 2.0 HDi powerplant with two different outputs, and a more powerful 2.2 HDi. Depending on the version, the 508 SW will be fitted with either a six-speed manual, or six-speed automatic transmission. 

Ride and Handling

The steering is well-weighted, it’s precise and the feedback is impressive, letting you know what the front wheels are doing and making the drive very enjoyable.

Not many estate cars are good to drive and good-looking, but the Peugeot has got both traits in its locker. Surprisingly, the 508 SW is agile, nimble and lively given its size. But, this doesn't come at the cost of comfort, with most bumps dealt with by the suspension and hardly felt in the cabin.  The steering is well-weighted, it’s precise and the feedback is impressive, letting you know what the front wheels are doing and making the drive very enjoyable. Add in decent front end grip, and this car has dramatically moved the game on from the 407 SW, offering a great addition to the 508 line-up.

Interior and Equipment

The ‘SW’ in this model’s name stands for ‘Station Wagon’, which is another term for estate cars.

The cabin is a comfortable place to spend time. Up front, the seats are comfortable, while there's a driver-focused wrap-around dash and a great view thanks to the huge windscreen. It's not perfect though, the attractive touch-screen is quite a stretch when you're on the move and fiddly menus don't help. There's also too many small buttons on the dasboard and steering wheel. On the practicality front, the 508 SW is not quite as roomy as some of its rivals, but still boasts plenty of space for most families. With the rear seats in place, there’s a loading volume of 512 litres, increasing to 1,598 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Equipment is plentiful throughout the range, with even the entry-level Active trim getting dual-zone air-con, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys, sat-nav, and a seven-inch touch-screen.

Cost

The best fuel economy figures come from the 508 SW 1.6 e-HDi with EGC transmission, which returns up to 70.6mpg.

The 508 SW BlueHDi with 150bhp has an impressive claimed average of 67.3mpg. It also boasts CO2 emissions of just 102g/km, costing just £20 in annual road tax, making this car competitive in its sector. The 508 SW 1.6 e-HDi with ETG transmission returns up to 70.6mpg and emits just 105g/km of CO2. With an entry price of around £23k, the 508 SW is priced between the current Ford Mondeo Estate and VW Passat Estate. Residual values for the new Peugeot 508 SW are not particularly strong though, especially when compared to the likes of the Passat.

Our Verdict

The 508 SW is a practical car with low running costs for its size. It also boasts a smart design, with a far better-looking nose after its mid-life refresh, and proves comfortable and pleasant to drive. Whether you’re a business driver wanting low CO2 emissions or a private buyer who needs a lot of space, the Peugeot 508 SW is certainly worth considering.