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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. This post-2019 R83-era design also benefitted from all the technology that revitalised the alternative Fastback second generation 508 model's proposition in its competitive medium range market.
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History
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 'R83'-era 508 SW model, a design launched in 2019 to take on a raft of tough rivals including estate versions of models like the Ford Mondeo, the Vauxhall Insignia and the Volkswagen Passat. This Peugeot aimed to offer three main selling points: style, class and technology. To achieve this, the brand pushed the looks of this estate 508 more up-market - and promised that it would feel that way when buyers took a seat behind the wheel. There was extra hi-tech equipment too, with things you'd need plusher expensive trim levels for with some rivals.
The Hybrid petrol/electric Plug-in variant was introduced in 2020. And the 355hp AWD Peugeot Sport Engineered PHEV flagship model arrived in 2021. The range was heavily facelifted in late 2022, but it's the pre-facelift models we look at here.
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What you get
The idea with this estate model was to bring the radical styling traits of the 508 saloon to station wagon customers. At just 1.42m in height and 4.78m long, the 508 SW's proportions give it quite a dynamic body shape, stylised by smooth, flowing lines and a sleek, low roof. The look is further enhanced further by exterior details, including frameless doors - a unique estate car feature for a mainstream carmaker. Plus there are full-LED headlights and opalescent LED daytime running lights with a vertical visual signature.
The unusual exterior looks are mirrored by an original interior, highlighted, as mentioned in our drive section, by the usual Peugeot i-Cockpit dashboard design, plus there's a large 10-inch capacitive touchscreen angled towards the driver and a 12.3-inch head-up digital instrument panel. The cabin also features i-Cockpit Amplify, which enables the driver to choose between two levels of ambience - 'Boost' and 'Relax'.
As for practicality, there's a hands-free, powered tailgate, a 530-litre boot and a 'Magic Flat' function for the rear bench seat which retracts to reveal a total load space capacity of 1780-litres.
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What to look for
Most MK2 508 SW buyers we came across seemed satisfied. But inevitably there were a few issues. With the 1.2 and 1.6 litre petrol engines, the weak point from these units in other Peugeot models is the timing chain drive, but we haven't come across any instances of timing change breakage with this MK2 508. There could be problems with the high pressure fuel pump in 1.6-litre models that have completed high mileages. After 60,000 miles, the valve cover has to be updated. If it isn't, inside the membrane breaks, which causes a whistle which in turn causes the engine to take oil. We've also heard of the need for thermostat replacement with the diesel models. And there have been a few cases of piston burn-out.
The wheel bearings on higher mileage models can make noise - look out for this on your test drive. There are also problems with the steering rack: it can knock and in the GT versions it can leak. Though the body is not prone to corrosion, red spots can sometimes be found in the wheel arches. Check the junction of the wings to the bumper for peeling paintwork. Older cars can exhibit problems with the keyless entry system - usually caused through water getting into the door handles. Otherwise, it's just the usual things; check the interior for child scrapes - and the wheels and rear bumpers for parking scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2021 508 SW Hybrid excl. VAT) Front brake pads vary in price between £30-£64 for a set; rear pads are around £19-£25. For front brake discs, think around £47-£73; for rears, think £61-£116. An air filter is about £8: an oil filter is about £4. A tail lamp is in the £209-£226 bracket. A radiator is in the £141-£189 bracket. A water pump is in the £34-£64 bracket.
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On the road
As you'd expect, this SW variant drives just as its saloon stablemate does. The hardware certainly looks promising here. There's a proper multi-link rear suspension set-up and a strong crop of engines from which buyers can choose. The previous generation 508 SW was launched with an all-diesel line-up, but by 2019 a lot had changed in this market and by 2019, a car in this class needed strong petrol provision too - which it got in this case courtesy of a couple of 1.6-litre turbo petrol units, developing either 180hp or 225hp. There was also a 130hp 1.5-litre diesel and 160hp and 180hp 2.0 diesels. Only the 1.5 diesel got a six-speed manual gearbox; the others from new had to be ordered with an eight-speed automatic. Peugeot also offered a plug-in hybrid version which used a 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine mated to an 80kW electric motor, the resulting package offering a combined total output of 225hp and around 39 miles of EV range.
At the wheel, you're positioned in front of an improved version of Peugeot's 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.
The Hybrid petrol/electric Plug-in variant introduced in 2020 offered 225hp and around 39 miles of EV range. The 355hp AWD Peugeot Sport Engineered PHEV flagship model arrived in 2021. By then, the range had been slimmed down to just the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol variant and the standard PHEV Hybrid.
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Overall
This second generation 508 SW was smarter, cleverer and better equipped. In other words, we're talking about a very complete package. Would you really want the kind of stripped-out, basic BMW 3 Series Touring or Audi A4 Avant from the 2019-2023 period you'd have to pay more for in preference to one of these? More pertinently perhaps, would you rather have a more ordinary-feeling Vauxhall Insignia Sport Tourer or Ford Mondeo estate from this time?
These are key questions if you're in the market for a conventional spacious station wagon of this sort from this era. Try a 508 SW and you might well find that answering them is a little easier.
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