Peugeot 508 SW long-term test review: report 7
Peugeot's 508 SW aims to mix the svelte looks of the 508 executive car with the practicality of an estate, but is the result as appealing as it sounds? Our chief photographer is finding out...
The car Peugeot 508 SW Puretech 180 Allure Run by John Bradshaw, chief photographer
Why it’s here I still believe an estate is the best way of fulfilling my requirements as a photographer
Needs to Offer plenty of space for all my photography gear, provide a comfortable ride on long journeys and have a raft of equipment and modern safety tech
Mileage 8050 List price £32,280 Target Price £30,164 Price as tested £34,655 Test economy 39.3mpg Official economy 44.8mpg
21 July 2020 – Pre-lockdown escape
While it might seem like a distant dream, back in March I did something truly brazen with my Peugeot 508 SW: I went on holiday. Back in the days of shaking hands and sharing packets of crisps, my wife and I packed up my French estate car and headed overseas to the exotic Isle of Wight for a weekend away with friends.
As you might know from my previous reports, I've struggled with the space on offer in the 508 SW when using it for my job. Fitting large tripods and camera equipment into the shallow boot opening has been frustrating, and the low roofline means there isn't much height to the load space.
However, away from work and when using my Peugeot for more typical family purposes – as most people who buy the 508 SW will do – it really was perfect for the job. That boot is more than big enough for more regularly shaped luggage, such as some suitcases, and has more than enough space to cram in extra paraphernalia.
At its heart, the 508 SW is designed to be a stylish and comfortable estate, rather than a hugely capacious load-lugger such as the Skoda Superb Estate. That proved true on its drive to our holiday destination, where the Peugeot offered a soft and supple ride and meant I arrived still feeling refreshed. The massage seats (which I made the most of in my last report) were a welcome treat while cruising along, too, even though I still think they're not hugely effective.
It was also one of the best opportunities I've had to test out the back seats, with our two friends taking the place as rear passengers during our time on the island. Despite that low roofline, they had no complaints about a lack of head room, and elbow room was also more than sufficient during our journeys. However, they did say that squeezing a third adult in the middle might have made it too tight for long journeys.
It's good to see that in its intended environment, the 508 SW would fulfil most of the needs that any family would want from an estate. I'm happy to recommend it for that – but as a pure gargantuan load-lugger, the Superb Estate and Volkswagen Passat Estate are better options.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
Best estate cars 2023
The best estate cars are spacious, great to drive and packed with tech. Here are the models we recommend – and the ones to steer clear of
