2022 Peugeot 508 GT Plug-in Hybrid review: First drive

Cheap and cheerful doesn’t cut it in the Australian new-car market like it once did, with Aussies increasingly shopping with a bigger budget in search of premium features. It’s why manufacturers like Mazda and Honda are going further upmarket with each successive model launch and commanding a corresponding shift in pricing.

The strategy to meet and perhaps beat the Germans at their own game is a long play and only time will tell if it’s a solid plan, but that won’t stop other brands from joining the premium reinvention revolution. And one of the latest is Peugeot.

In its current ranks, the French challenger has a trio of bohemian SUVs to compete among the most popular segments as well as a contender in a more esoteric arena – the 508. This mid-sizer is available as a wagon and five-door Fastback and has already proved it has a lot to offer for those willing to peer outside the mainstream brands. But now it’s available as a plug-in hybrid, demonstrating Peugeot’s commitment to an electrified future.

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It’s possible to see how Peugeot is positioning this car without even setting foot inside as the exterior styling stands out for all the right reasons. If you’re bored of cookie-cutter cars that either look a lot like their rivals or simply different-sized versions of other models, the 508 may have already grabbed your attention.

Whether it’s the wagon or the liftback, both are beautiful with proportions and finer details that work equally well. There’s definitely no mistaking the 508 on the road and you’re very unlikely to get that feeling of arriving at a party in the same outfit as another guest.

Pleasantly unorthodox styling continues on the inside. A single GT grade is offered across the three-variant 508 range and it is kit-rich. Lovely quality quilted leather seats are snug in the front row but firm and comfortable with heaters, electric adjustment and a superb massage function for the driver.

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The predominantly black cabin is cosy but a massive panoramic roof prevents it from feeling claustrophobic and there’s a surprising amount of room in the second row for adults although it’s possible to feel a little lost in the roof.

Also included are automatic parking, 18-inch wheels, a top-quality Focal sound system and a new fully-digital instrument cluster that gives the driver the option to disband Peugeot’s strange desire to make the tachometer needle more the opposite way to the speedometer.

The various customisable instrument arrangements are highly unusual and very likeable, with the ‘Driving’ design a particular favourite by displaying weird revolving barrels instead of conventional gauges.

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Speaking of quirky Peugeot calling cards, the tiny steering wheel remains, as does the view over the top rather than through. This unusual approach allows an almost unobscured view of the dials and road as well as a pleasant low positioning of hands on the wheel, which is perfectly complemented by a laidback yet purposeful driving position.

Capping off the best cabin features, a generous 487-litre boot is easily accessed by the hatchback-like lid. Unfortunately, there’s no ‘real’ spare wheel but that’s a price for an above-average load area.

There are a couple of classic French functional anomalies such as the start/stop button and gear selector that require a slightly annoying press-and-hold to comply, and a parking assistance system that is so paranoid of nearby objects that it’s rendered almost less useful than good old mirrors alone.

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Plenty of redeeming qualities reveal themselves once you are up and rolling, though. Up front, the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol lives on from the BMW/Mini collaboration days but is still a relatively refined and powerful unit.

Things get a little thrashy toward the redline but the addition of a new hybrid system and useful torque avoids the need to wring out the engine for the majority of driving.

With electrification increasing weight to 1745kg, the PHEV is the slowest 508 variant to 100km/h, but the instant electric urge makes this version feel the most athletic off the mark

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Power, compared with the more conventional 508 powertrain, remains the same at 165kW sent through the front wheels but grunt is boosted by 60Nm to 360Nm.

With the extra mass of electrification increasing kerb weight to a hefty 1745kg, the PHEV is the slowest 508 variant to 100km/h, doing the dash in 8.3s, but the instant electric urge makes this version feel like the most athletic off the mark.

Initial surge is strong and the electric-biased drivetrain resists the temptation to bring in petrol help unless really provoked.

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While other plug-ins revert to hybrid power more readily, the 508 allows pure electric driving for more of the time without feeling like you are teetering on the petrol engine firing up under light loads.

Peugeot’s claim of about 55km on battery power alone seems about right and, for most suburban owners, would mean an easy zero-emissions commute.

For all other types of usage, there are a few useful driving modes. Sport enlists the help of combustion along with optimised electric power for peak progress, as well as modifying the excellent eight-speed auto transmission’s shift points. Hybrid is the default and favours electric power, Comfort has a similar powertrain map but softens the steering edge and adaptive dampers, while Electric mode locks out the four-cylinder entirely.

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Further sub-modes allow the battery to be pinned into Max, 10 per cent and 20 per cent conservation selections that will reserve a portion of power for later use in cities or clean-air restricted areas.

With a relatively generous 11.8kWh battery, home fast charging is recommended if a full top-up is required in about three hours, although a standard mains plug will do the job in about the same time as your smartphone.

Hitting some A-roads, the 508 quickly reveals its relaxed nature with very low cabin noise and a smooth ride

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Hitting some A-roads, the 508 quickly reveals its relaxed nature with very low cabin noise and a smooth ride, although the front axle produces some strange vibration noises over particular roads – not unlike a worn ball joint. It doesn’t impact the smooth and direct steering that feels sporty along with the little steering wheel.

There’s some vagueness about the dead-ahead mark but feedback quickly weights up into corners for a lively and responsive front end. Some dynamic quality has been sacrificed over the pure-petrol version due to the hybrid's significantly increased mass, but the 508 is still clearly geared for a driving enthusiast.

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Only the brake pedal feel detracts from an otherwise commendable nature, regardless of driving style. Its excessive travel goes from soggy to firm and grabby in a manner that’s hard to modulate and results in unintentionally abrupt stopping.

It’s harder to find the black marks to the 508’s character than simply enjoying the far greater number of strengths it has in its repertoire. Its weirdly charming approach to transport is refreshing and will certainly appeal to those who appreciate good design that compromises little in the way of practicality.

It’s harder to find the black marks to the 508’s character than simply enjoying the far greater number of strengths it has in its repertoire

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Add into the recipe a little glimpse of Peugeot’s electric horizon, boosted efficiency and environmental responsibility, and you’re looking at a car that can hold its head high. Pricing is perhaps the most confronting facet of its package, however.

The 508 is, without doubt, a premium offering with apparent quality and equipment levels to warrant a premium price but $76,990 (before on-road costs) will likely seem like a bridge too far for many.

Finding rivals in this extremely niche segment is not easy but for context, BMW offers the 330e for $84,900, while the Mercedes C300e is $85,100 (both before on-road costs).

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Peugeot’s challenge is not in convincing a pragmatic audience that its new 508 PHEV is a luxury contender with much to offer. Its superior design, generous equipment and rewarding drive are quick to emerge but any mid-sized sedan with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and premium price is among the most esoteric and abstruse found in Australia’s competitive automotive landscape.

As a demonstration of what the company is capable of, the 508 GT Fastback Plug-in Hybrid is an impressive flagship but it’s unlikely to muscle its SUV siblings out of the picture – especially the updated 3008, which is now on offer with a seriously muscular PHEV drivetrain as well.