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Peugeot 508 Active e-HDI micro-hybrid
No, it's not an e-car for very small people...
A lot of car for your cash
Unlike some such systems, the 508 doesn’t overload you with information so only the speed and, when engaged, basic cruise-control and navigation details are displayed. Usefully, there are easily accessible controls to adjust the HUDs eye-line. Or just switch it off.
Open up
Value is a major part of Peugeot’s pitch for the 508 and only in a very few places do the results of building down to price show: for instance, the iDrive-esque system controller on the centre console has a rather cheap-feeling action to it with no damping. That aside it’s tough to find fault.
As tested with metallic paint, parking sensors, leather trim, 7in-screen satnav, Pegueot GPS SOS and Bluetooth communications/entertainment, the 508 will set you back £23,435. The basic e-HDI package, complete with ECG and USB-key media playback, costs £19,050. In both cases you are getting a lot of car for your cash.
The system controller: looks OK but feels a bit cheap
Not that any of this matters, of course, because this is Britain, where badge snobbery reigns supreme and we happily pay through the nose for the ‘privilege’ of owning German. This means the 508 will probably always be something of a rarity on our roads and that’s a shame because it’s a rather fine motor car.
Verdict
The new big Peugeot is a stylish combination of space, comfort, high economy, minimal emissions and fine road manners. Outside the world of the lesser-spotted Sales Rep, it’s unlikely to make much of an impact on the British sales charts, but that says more about us Brits than it does about the 508. ®
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