Review of the Peugeot 508 2022: GT Fastback

From time to time I have these unsettling existential thoughts about the way things are.

The last line of internal interrogation was: Why are there so many SUVs now? What makes people buy them? How can we have less of them?

The trigger for this train of thought once again jumped behind the wheel of Peugeot's emotional non-SUV flagship, the 508 GT.

One look at its cheeky design and you wonder how people could look past it, at the shapeless SUV box behind it on the forecourt.

Now I know that people buy SUVs for good reasons. They're (generally) easier to climb in, make life easier with kids or pets, and you'll never have to worry about scratching your ramp or driveway again.

However, many people do not need these special benefits and I believe that many people would be better served by such a machine.

It's just as comfortable, almost as practical, handles better and makes our roads more interesting.

Join me, reader, as I try to explain why you should leave a midsize SUV in the dealer's lot and opt for something a little more adventurous.

Peugeot 508 2022: GT
Safety Rating
engine's type	1.6 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	6.3l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$57,490

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

If I haven't been clear enough yet, I think the 508 is a really nice piece of design. I love that a station wagon exists, but the fastback version I tested for this review is the 508 at its best.

Every corner is interesting. The front end is made up of many different elements that somehow come together into something that grabs attention for all the right reasons.

The front is made up of many different elements that somehow come together to create something that grabs attention for all the right reasons (Image: Tom White).

The way the light beams are placed under the nose gives it a rugged character, while the DRLs running along the sides and at the bottom of the bumper accentuate the car's width and aggressiveness.

The clear, distinctive lines of the hood run under the frameless windows to accentuate the car's width, while the gently sloping roof gradually draws the eye towards the long tail, while the trunk lid panel acts as a rear spoiler.

At the back, there are a pair of angular LED taillights and ample black plastic, which, again, draws attention to the width and twin tailpipes.

Tightened at the back are a pair of angular LED taillights and a fair amount of black plastic (Image: Tom White).

Inside, the commitment to charming design remains. The overall look of the interior is one of the most interesting changes in recent memory, with a two-spoke floating steering wheel, a terraced instrument panel with chrome accents, and a deeply recessed digital instrument cluster that boldly separates from the steering wheel.

Inside, the commitment to charming design remains (Image: Tom White).

At first glance, everything looks great, but there are also disadvantages. There's too much chrome for me, the climate control is annoyingly touch-sensitive, and if you're too tall, the steering wheel can hide dash elements thanks to its unique layout.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

This brings us to the practicality section. Yes, the frameless doors on this Peugeot are a bit odd, and with the drop-down roofline and sporty seating position, it will never be as easy to get in as it is in the SUV alternative.

However, the cabin is more spacious than you might expect, as the driver and front passenger are wrapped in soft synthetic leather seats with plenty of knee, head and arm room.

Adjustment for the driver is generally good, but since we found that people of different heights are placed in the driver's seat, the avant-garde design of the i-Cockpit steering wheel and dashboard can create some visibility problems.

The interior layout does provide a decent amount of storage space: a large cut-out under the center console that houses two USB ports and a cordless phone charger, a huge fold-out console box on the armrest, large front-lit double cupholders, and large pockets with an additional holder for bottles at the door. Not bad.

The back seat is a mixed bag. The gorgeous seat upholstery continues to provide a fantastic level of comfort, but the sloping roofline and odd frameless doors make it difficult to get in and out and noticeably limit headroom.

In the back seat, a sloping roofline and odd frameless doors make it harder to get in and out than usual (Image: Tom White).

For example, behind my driver's seat I had decent knee and arm room (especially with armrests on both sides), but at 182 cm my head almost touched the roof.

This limited vertical space is exacerbated by the dark tinted rear window and black headlining, which creates a claustrophobic feel in the rear, despite the ample length and width.

However, rear passengers still get a good level of amenities, with a small bottle holder in each door, decent pockets on the backs of the front seats, two USB outlets, two adjustable air vents and a fold-down armrest. glass holders.

Rear seat passengers get dual USB outlets and dual adjustable air vents (Image: Tom White).

The trunk in this fastback version weighs 487 liters, which is on par with, if not more than, most mid-sized SUVs, and with a fully lift-off tailgate that also makes loading easier. It fits our trio Cars Guide a set of suitcases with plenty of free space.

The seats fold 60/40 and there's even a ski port behind the drop armrest. Want more space again? There is always a station wagon version that offers an even more expansive 530L.

Finally, the 508 has a dual ISOFIX mount and a three-point top-tether child seat anchorage in the rear seat, and there's a compact spare tire under the floor.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

As I mentioned in my rambling introduction, the Peugeot 508 is a lot of things, but one of those things isn't "cheap."

Due to the sedan/fastback styling having fallen out of favor in Australia, manufacturers know these products are for a specific niche, generally higher end buyers, and list them accordingly.

The 508 features a 10-inch multimedia touchscreen (Image: Tom White).

As a result, the 508 only comes in one flagship GT trim, with an MSRP of $56,990.

It's hardly a price to tempt people to forgo an SUV for the price, but on the other hand, if you compare specs, the 508 GT packs just as much equipment as a high-end mainstream SUV anyway.

Standard equipment includes 19" alloy wheels with impressive Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, adaptive dampers in the suspension linked to the vehicle's driving modes, full LED headlights, taillights and DRLs, 12.3" digital instrument cluster, 10" digital instrument cluster . inch multimedia touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, digital radio, 10-speaker audio system, Napa leather interior, heated front seats with power adjustment and messaging functions, and keyless entry with push-to-start ignition.

The only options for the 508 in Australia include a sunroof ($2500) and premium paint (either metallic $590 or pearlescent $1050), and if you want all that style and stuff with a big boot, you can always opt for a station wagon. the $2000 version is more expensive.

This level of equipment puts the Peugeot 508 GT into semi-luxury territory the brand is aiming for in Australia, and the trim, trim and safety package are in line with the expectations of what Peugeot calls its "desired flagship". More on this later.

This price is up from the original starting price two years ago ($53,990) but still sits between its two closest competitors in Australia, the Volkswagen Arteon ($59,990) and the Skoda Superb ($54,990).

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

There is only one engine option for the 508 in Australia, a peppy 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that far outweighs its weight and delivers 165kW/300Nm. These were V6 outputs in recent memory.

The 508 is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (Image: Tom White).

However, while it fits in something of this size, it doesn't have the more direct punch offered by larger engines (say the VW 162TSI 2.0-litre turbo).

This engine is mated to Aisin's well-received eight-speed (EAT8) traditional automatic transmission, so there's no dual-clutch or rubber CVT issues here.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

With a small turbo engine and an abundance of gear ratios in the transmission, one would expect moderate fuel consumption, and the 508 delivers, at least on paper, the official figures of 6.3 l / 100 km.

Sounds great, but in real life, achieving this number is almost impossible. Even with nearly 800 miles on the freeway in two weeks with the car, it still returned the 7.3L/100km claimed on the dashboard, and around town expect a figure in the high eights.

In order not to lose the forest for the trees, this is still a great result for a car of this size, just not what it says on the sticker.

A small turbo engine requires unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 95, which is placed in a relatively large 62-liter tank. Expect 600+ km on a full tank.

Those looking for hybrid efficiency don't have to wait long either, the 508 PHEV version is coming to Australia soon.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

Peugeot backs up its sporty looks with an attractive and sophisticated driving experience. I love the sporty stance, comfortable seats and cool dashboard layout, but the fastback design limits rearward visibility a bit.

The steering is quick and responsive, with multiple full turns and easy feedback adjustments, giving the 508 a calm but at times twitchy character.

This levels out significantly as you accelerate, with the obvious benefit at low speed being painless parking.

The ride is superb thanks to the excellent dampers and reasonably sized alloys. I applaud the marque for resisting the urge to put 20-inch wheels on this designer car as it helps give it a comfortable feel on the open road.

The steering is quick and responsive, with multiple turns to lock and light feedback (Image: Tom White).

I was constantly impressed by how simply harsher bumps and bumps were filtered out, and cabin noise levels are excellent.

The engine looks refined and responsive, but its power is barely enough for the 508's heft. While the 8.1-0 km/h time of 100 seconds doesn't look too bad on paper, there's something unhurried about the power delivery, even in the more responsive Sport mode.

Again, this fits in with the idea that the 508 is more of a touring car than a sports car.

The gearbox, being a traditional torque converter, doesn't have the issues of continuously variable transmissions and dual clutches, and while it runs smoothly and without fuss overall, you can catch it with a second's lag in gear. and on rare occasions grabbed the wrong gear.

In general, however, it seems that the automatic is suitable for this machine. The power on offer isn't enough to justify a dual clutch, and a CVT would dull the experience.

Handling with more spirited driving puts this car in its place. While you don't have a surplus of power, it absorbs cornering while remaining comfortable, controlled and refined no matter what I throw at it.

This is no doubt due to its adjustable dampers, long wheelbase and Pilot Sport tires.

The 508 rightfully takes its place as the brand's flagship, with the refinement and handling of a luxury car, though the promised performance falls short of its outstanding performance. But given its semi-premium position in the market, it's worth the money. 

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

Being at the top of the 508 range in international markets means the 508 GT in Australia comes with a full range of active safety equipment.

Included are automatic emergency braking at motorway speed with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control that will even let you choose preferred positioning in lane.

These features are complemented by a standard set of six airbags, three top tether attachment points and two ISOFIX child seat attachment points, as well as standard electronic brakes, stability control and traction control, to achieve the highest five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2019.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

Peugeot covers its passenger cars with a competitive five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, as do most of its more popular competitors.

Peugeot covers its passenger cars with a competitive five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty (Image: Tom White).

The 508 requires service every 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first, and is covered by the Peugeot Service Price Guarantee, which is a fixed price calculator that lasts up to nine years/108,000 km.

The problem is, it's not cheap. The first service starts at an explicit premium of $606, averaging $678.80 per year for the first five years.

Its most direct competitors are significantly cheaper to maintain, and the Toyota Camry is the flagship here at just $220 on each of your first four visits.

Verdict

This subsequent drive only confirmed the overwhelmingly positive feelings I had for this car when it was released at the end of 2019.

It exudes unique style, it's surprisingly practical, and it's a fantastic long-distance touring car with reliable ride and handling.

For me, the tragedy is the fact that such a declared car is destined to give way to some kind of SUV. Let's go to Australia, let's go!