Peugeot 508 review

The ‘i-Cockpit’ remains the main talking point from the driver’s point of view, though anyone else in the car is less likely to care very much. The cabin's design and materials seemed edgy when the 508 launched five years ago. Since then BMW has started doing something not entirely unlike it. Imitation, flattery, etcetera.

IS THE CABIN COMFORTABLE?

The 508 is a reasonably sized car, but the rising centre console does make it feel slightly more claustrophobic than it otherwise would. Still, it’s all very neatly designed and you get a nice armrest for your troubles, plus a handy storage tray beneath the gear selector.

The seats are big and plush with plenty of room up front. In the rear, that coupe-style roof limits headroom for anyone above average height. Despite the long wheelbase, legroom is also limited because the seat cushion is close to the floor. Ask the people in front to raise their seats so you can tuck your feet underneath.

WHAT’S THE INFOTAINMENT LIKE?

The central screen is a 10-incher. All have connected TomTom-based navigation, which works quickly and has accurate traffic info. Well-integrated phone mirroring for Apple and Android is also standard. TG top tip: on any modern Peugeot or Citroen, if you tap on the screen with three fingers, you're always taken back to the highest-level menu.

Besides that, a row of seven piano-style shortcut keys below the screen help the ergonomics and the style, and their cold-touch aluminium surfaces and clicky action give a strong impression of quality. Which is mostly reinforced by the rest of the cabin furniture and materials.

HOW MUCH BOOTSPACE IS THERE?

The long tail gives a boot that's usefully deep front-to-back. It offers 487 litres of space with the seats up, and 1,537 litres with the seats down.

That’s marginally bigger than the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, but smaller than its main competitors; the VW Arteon and market-leading Skoda Superb. If you need more space get the estate.