Peugeot 508 SW review

The 508 SW is not noticeably held back by the extra weight that it carries over the saloon. The same suspension set-up, with MacPherson struts at the front and an independent multi-link rear, give it good poise and stability. The car breezes over high-speed A-roads, sucking up the undulations and keeping driver and passengers free from jolts and vibrations.

The steering is nicely weighted as well. It’s not on a par with the Ford Mondeo, but is markedly better than its sister car, the Citroen C5, and allows the driver to feel like their inputs are being attended to swiftly and accurately. It strikes the right balance for a car like this, allowing for comfort and relaxation on the motorway without totally foregoing the ability to weave cross-country at a reasonable lick.

There are good petrol and diesel engines to choose from, but the most intriguing is the diesel-hybrid RXH, blending low-speed electric running with higher-speed diesel torque. The electric motor is mounted at the back, thus giving a form of four-wheel drive, which Peugeot has enhanced with an Audi Allroad-style makeover.