Peugeot 508 SW review

In the mainstream range (that is, not the Peugeot Sport Engineered) there are just two engines and two trims. Simples.

The Allure 1.2 sounds like good value. It's a big car, with an auto ‘box, LED matrix headlamps, full-size driver screen and touchscreen, phone mirroring and built-in connected navigation. At £35,370 and 136g/km, it sounds tempting.

GT trim adds a more intricately trimmed interior, 18-inch wheels, full driver assist and parking cameras. That's £38,020.

In both cases the PHEV version is just under £10k more. You'll have to do your own sums around the (potentially big) tax saving, and (smaller) running-cost saving. The battery is 12.4kWh, good for about 30 miles real-world in pure-EV mode.

Remember electricity isn't as cheap as it once was, so running on electrons isn't the money-saver it used to be. Should still undercut petrol on a per-mile basis, though.

Planned maintenance contracts are available directly from Peugeot. They're about £20 a month for up to five years, and another £6 extra for the PHEV. Another thing that partially negates the fuel saving.

And what about the PSE one?

You'd have to be a bit daft - or frequently in a hurry - to go for the 508 SW Peugeot Sport Engineered and its 355bhp. And you'll need deep pockets because it costs £55k. But at least you'll get to drive around in the only car with even a remote link to the brand's Le Mans programme. Bring back genuine hot Peugeots, immediately.

What about finance costs?

For the one we'd pick, the 1.2 GT, Peugeot's offer is a PCP at £476 a month over three years with an £8k deposit. That demonstrates confidence in the residuals – the balloon payment is just over £15.5k.