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2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon review (video)

French carmaker, Peugeot, has been building up a reputation for creating cars with style and quality in more recent years. Since its launch in 2019, the latest generation 508 medium sedan and wagon have backed up this philosophy.

For the 2023-2024 mid-life update, the 508 lineup has been revamped in Australia to offer a new plug-in hybrid powertrain exclusively, available in sedan and Sportswagon body styles. We’re here to dissect the stunning wagon.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT hybrid-rear

2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon: Specifications

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder plug-in hybrid
Output (combined): 165kW / 360Nm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×8.0, 235/45
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1720kg
Power-to-weight: 10.42:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 1.5L/100km
Our consumption: 7.1L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 43L/95 RON
Power efficiency: 110.0kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.22 seconds*
0-100km/h: 8.12 seconds*
60-110km/h: 5.06 seconds*
1/4 mile: 15.81 seconds at 155.6km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.522g*
100-0km/h braking: 36.53m in 2.99 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.588g*
Decibel at idle: 44*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 80*
Starting price: $82,915

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon: How much does it cost?

Let’s cut to the chase – the price tag shock is real. From $82,915 for the Sportswagon, and $81,610 for the Sportsback (excluding on-road costs). For a car that now falls into the premium class (it wasn’t before), it leaves us wondering whether the PHEV magic is worth the steep entry fee.

Aussie customers can only choose one trim level, called the GT’. Previously, it was the top-spec variant, so that’s where some of the price comes from. It’s nearest competitor is the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid, which retails from $97,400.

Peugeot offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and five years of complimentary roadside assistance. Servicing is required less frequently than usual, at 20,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Importantly, there is a ‘servicing price promise’ on Peugeot’s website that lists the cost of the first five services. They are $415, $744, $415, $1006, and $429. You can also save some money by pre-purchasing a 3-, 4- or 5-year service plan for $1200, $1900, or $2100.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon: Interior & packaging

Peugeot has done a commendable job creating an interior that feels luxurious and high in quality, with a dash of French flair. Soft-touch surfaces, chrome and high-gloss finishes, ambient and crisp LED lighting, and finely-crafted design cues make the cockpit an inviting space. It also showcases a full grain Nappa leather trim with ‘Aikinite’ copper double topstitching. Topping off the luxury immersion, the front seats are heated and include a multipoint massage function – French carmakers love their massaging seats.

The space is also made with practicality in mind. Storage spaces are scattered around the centre console and the door pockets. There is also a wireless charging pad and four USB sockets – two in the front and two in the rear. The only challenge on a practical level is getting in and out of the low-riding 508. SUVs put a compelling case forward here. We also notice there are no ceiling handles. But once you’re in place, there is a liveable amount of room in all seats.

Thanks to the Sportwagon’s unique shape, the boot is quite long and deep. It can squeeze in 530 litres of luggage, or 1780 litres when the rear seats are folded down. There is a handy centre seat rear opening too, for long items like skis.

As part of Peugeot’s ‘i-Cockpit’ package there is a high-quality 10-inch centre touch-screen and a vibrant and customisable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The centre screen gives access to infotainment capabilities like Bluetooth, digital radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 3D sat-nav, and a prestige FOCAL 10-speaker sound system with a dedicated amplifier and subwoofer. We just wish wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included.

It’s refreshing to know a medium-sized wagon is still available on the market. There are not many of them left. The look of the 508 wagon is truly unique, and eye-catchingly sophisticated, and, as the name suggests, beautifully sporty. We love it.

Body design cues look refined and sleek. Iconic cat claw-style LED 3D lights dominate the rear, and chic LED front headlights dazzle. Topping off the sporty look are frameless doors designed to lengthen and lower the 508’s silhouette, and 18-inch ‘Sperone’ two-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels. If you can’t tell, we think the external design of the 508 Sportswagon is right on the money. Though, looks are always subjective.

Other standard features include autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, in-crash multi-collision braking, blind-spot detection, lane departure warning with unmarked road edge detection, active lane following assist, advanced driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, tyre monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, top-down view camera system, and semi-automatic parking assist.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT wagon-boot

2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon: Powertrain & handling

Getting this euro Sportswagon moving is done with the combination of a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and a 40Ah, 11.8kWh lithium-ion battery that powers an electric motor. The batteries are chargeable via the engine, braking, or plugging into mains power. Power from both sources is sent to the front wheels only. Together, they produce 165kW and 360Nm.

The powertrain feels incredibly quiet and light, with plenty of oomph right from take-off. Instant torque from the electric motor gets momentum going hastily. The 508 is capable of reaching 0-100km/h in a claimed 8.3 seconds, compared with 8.2 in the now-unavailable 1.6 turbo model (also 165kW, but weighing 325kg less). We conducted some tests with the Vbox with both this hybrid and the 1.6T (the red car pictured), and the hybrid did the sprint in 8.12 seconds while the 1.6T did it in 7.73.

Plugging in to charge is done with a 3.7kW on-board charger via a Mode 2, Type 2 cable connection and a 2.3kW single-phase 10A domestic socket, or home charging station, or public charger. Charging times from 0-100 per cent from a single phase 32AMP 7.4kW wall box or a three phase 16A 11kW wall box is approximately 3.5 hours. Using a domestic 10A plug will take approximately 5.7 hours. When fully charged, the electric-only range is 55km according to the WLTP testing standard. We were also able to achieve this range during our tests.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT hybrid wagon-grille

As it typically goes with EVs, the range diminishes the faster you go – it prefers slower speeds. The official average consumption of 1.5L/100km is a deceiving figure as it will vastly vary depending on your charging frequency. If your distance between recharges is less than 55km, your petrol consumption will be zero if you use ‘Electric’ mode. However, if you cannot recharge that frequently, the consumption will increase as you start using hybrid mode.

One part of our testing involved driving over 900km with no recharges; essentially using it like a standard hybrid vehicle. It returned an average of 7.1L/100km. This is not a competitive figure; it is more the standard for an all-petrol car.

Power runs through an eight-speed automatic gearbox that Peugeot calls an eEAT (Electronic 8-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission). It is a brilliantly smooth and uncommon setup for a PHEV. Most competitors channel power through a less sporty CVT auto. Running through the gears in EV mode feels and sounds unique, as you hear the winding, but no engine spin.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT wagon-console

Driving mode selections are Comfort, Electric, Hybrid and Sport. The centre display also incorporates a dedicated menu to control or view the hybrid powertrain functions. You can view live power flow, consumption statistics, set delayed charging schedules, and control when to use electricity reserves via the ‘e-SAVE’ function.

On bendy roads, the 508 GT Sportswagon feels athletic and agile thanks to electronically-controlled adaptive suspension. The active dampers stiffen the ride when driven hard, or when ‘Sport’ mode is selected. It feels just as sporty behind the wheel as it looks.

A small steering wheel also gives off a nimble feel. You can manoeuvre it quickly, and the agile suspension keeps up. On the other hand, a softer damper setting settles in when driven calmly or in ‘Comfort’ driving mode. Bumps are absorbed with typically French composure and comfort. You get the best of both worlds in the GT.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT wagon-headlights LED

2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon: Key attractions/reasons to buy

  • Design: Brilliantly unique and sophisticated in Sportswagon form.
  • Versatile: It ticks many boxes; dynamic, comfortable, practical, and can be used as an all-EV or hybrid car.
  • Quiet and calm driving experience: The turbo engine is wonderfully light and refined – even when pushed – and the hybrid package means it’s even quieter in city conditions.
  • Inspiring interior: High-tech screens with crisp menu layouts, and cool colours and tones. It really stands out from the crowd.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon: Key considerations before you buy

  • Expensive: It’ll likely turn away many buyers, some of which might expect AWD.
  • Trimmed range: There is only one, top-spec model to choose from in Australia, contributing to that high price.
  • Lacking some basic features: No ceiling handles, wireless Apple CarPlay or wireless Android Auto.
  • Fuel economy: An average of 7.1L/100km in the real world is poor when charge has depleted and it runs in hybrid mode. You might expect a lower number than that for a plug-in hybrid.

2024 Peugeot 508 GT Hybrid Sportswagon: Video

How does it rate against its rivals?
  • Price
  • Quality look & feel
  • Interior tech
  • Powertrain performance
  • Ride & handling
  • X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
3.9

Final word

We think the Peugeot 508 GT Sportswagon is a beautifully designed and well engineered car. It truly is a rare diamond in the rough, offering a unique sporty wagon layout with smart powertrain concept. But it is just too expensive in our view, which can’t be good for market appeal.

Mark Davis

Mark's fascination with cars originated long before he was allowed to get behind the wheel himself. To him, cars are more than just a mode of transport; especially the ones that adopt purposeful innovations while preserving the joy of driving. With a master's degree in IT, he brings a tech-savvy perspective to our car reviews, particularly as the automotive industry embraces digital advancements. Mark joins Driving Enthusiast as a road tester after more than a decade at PerformanceDrive.
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