SW-EET (some text hidden) SECTIONED_peugeot508sw_011214

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 130

The vast majority of Peugeot 508 customers choose the SW estate version - and you can see why. It's sensibly practical, yet very good looking. The brand's first generation 508 SW was improved in this facelifted post-2014-era guise, but its essential virtues remained much as before, with comfort, style and practicality all strong selling points. It's still not the most dynamic choice you could make in search of a used 'D' segment medium range estate model, but it's a consummate cruiser that in this updated MK1 form benefitted from extra technology and the option of a more efficient BlueHDi diesel engine. Both these things combined with the smarter styling to keep this SW estate line-up current until it was replaced in 2018. Does it stack up as a used buy?

Modelsword count: 15

5dr SW estate (Petrol - 1.6 / Diesel - 1.6 HDi, 2.0 BlueHDi, HYbrid4 diesel/electric)

Historyword count: 86

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 508 SW model, which was launched in 2011, then improved in 2014. It was even offered in clever diesel hybrid RXH form. This station wagon model sold until 2018. Let's check it out as a used buy.

What You Getword count: 263

We tend to expect something special of Peugeot in the styling department, a distinguished elegance that carries a bit of weight. The original 508 certainly had a very clean shape but it lacked that gravitas, that. certain something that ought to differentiate a Peugeot from, say, a Ford or Vauxhall. To that end, this facelifted MK1 model got a smarter, more upright front grille with a central lion motif to provide a bit more visual clout, with chromed styling that was more assertive and added another 16mm of length to the front overhang. The bonnet was re-styled to be a little more handsome too, re-shaped to be more horizontal and give the car what the brand hoped was a more contemporary look. Lift the optional powered tailgate on the SW estate model and a 512-litre luggage compartment is revealed, which is a useful improvement on the 473-litre boot you get in the saloon variant. Good too, that there are practical touches, an optional load net and solid hooks for restraining straps there to ensure that your eggs don't end up merging with your Iron Bru. Take a seat behind the wheel and if you had experience of the original version of this car, you'll find that this improved model offers up a noticeable improvement in quality, with softer trim finishes and higher quality cloths. The main interior change though with the MK1 model update was the addition of a 7" colour touchscreen to the dash, the idea being to intuitively group together most of the vehicle's main functions and so reduce button clutter.

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