Summary
A high-performance plug-in hybrid, the Peugeot 508 PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) is the flagship version of the Peugeot 508, offered in both liftback and estate body styles.
As well as the car’s sportier bodywork that the manufacturer says improves aerodynamics, the Peugeot 508 PSE produces more than double the power of the standard 508 saloon, thanks to its 355hp plug-in hybrid powertrain which combines a petrol engine with two electric motors.
Peugeot says that the 508 PSE can complete a 0-60mph sprint in 5.2 seconds, and travel a maximum of 26 miles on just electric power.
This is the most expensive model that Peugeot has ever sold, and by current plug-in hybrid standards, that all-electric range is middling. The cheaper Volvo V60 Recharge comparatively has an electric range of 54 miles, while What Car? points out that the BMW M340i Touring is more exciting on the road and that the Skoda Octavia vRS plug-in hybrid is a more practical choice.
Despite its flaws, a number of outlets argue that the 508 PSE has some definite charms – Carwow explains that this sports saloon and estate is “extremely handsome, fast and comfortable”, while Auto Express says that this is “a versatile machine loaded with kit that also boasts strong efficiency”.
If you find this flagship performance model intriguing, you may be deterred by its price tag. Parkers comments that, “with a list price of more than £50,000, the 508 PSE is a tough sell for private buyers”.
A facelifted version of the 508 PSE was announced in spring 2023, which should reach the UK before the end of the year.
As of September 2023, the Peugeot 508 PSE holds an Expert Rating of 63%, based on 13 reviews published by the UK media.
508 PSE highlights
- Impressive performance
- Low running costs
- Agile handling and body control
- Comfortable on long cruises
- Distinctive styling
508 PSE lowlights
- Average interior quality
- Small battery range
- Unreasonably expensive to buy outright
- Slightly cramped rear seating
- Infotainment lags behind rivals
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-sized liftback and estate
Engines: Plug-in hybrid
Price: From £53,975 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: Spring 2023
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“Aside from a few visual tweaks, Peugeot’s 508 PSE hasn’t really changed with this facelift, so will remain an expensive niche offering that has a few rough edges offset by some genuinely impressive driving manners.” (Jordan Katsianis)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Genuine pace done differently and chassis revisions that help round the package into a different take on a practical performance car. It’s a versatile machine loaded with kit that also boasts strong efficiency – its rivals can’t match that. However, it looks pricey in areas, even if it does have exclusivity on its side.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed: 508 PSE Hybrid4 SW
Score: 8 / 10
“It is an expensive car, the 508 PSE. It’s also heavier than rivals and does without their cylinder count – or their rear-biased powertrains. However, handling in the spirit of the finest four-wheel-drive hot hatches and an ability to genuinely engage its driver propel the PSE high up into the fast estate (and saloon) ranks.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“What makes this car stand out against rival performance PHEVs is the fact it gives away very little in terms of outright practicality. The boot capacity is the same as a non-plug-in Pug at 487 litres, and despite being way more fun and accomplished to drive than the standard 508, it’s barely any less comfortable day-to-day.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Peugeot 508 PSE is an extremely handsome, fast and comfortable performance plug-in hybrid. Electric range is a bit limited, though.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed:
“The 508 PSE’s sporting nature is instantly noticeable through the hard ride quality, but that does translate into sharp handling, in what is a very composed and rapid cross-country machine. That combination of powertrains provides performance that feels quicker than the figures suggest.”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Practical, efficient and fast, the 508 SW Peugeot Sport Engineered is an unlikely but worthy rival to the more established sporty saloon and estate offerings from German brands.”
Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“While the 508 is a really strong design, especially so in SW guise (the most popular of the 508’s two body styles) it’s only available in grey, black or white with black wheels, which strikes us as being a little too bland and unadventurous for a car that is anything but to drive.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid SW estate
Score: 7 / 10
“There’s much to enjoy about the Peugeot 508 PSE. It looks fantastic, is interesting and fun to drive in equal measure, and its rarity makes you feel part of a select and rather special club.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“On paper, the 508 PSE seems to tick a lot of boxes, offering sharp looks, everyday practicality, performance and low running costs, but with a list price of more than £50,000, it’s a tough sell for private buyers.”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Peugeot can be as proud as it likes about this car but people will only pay what they think it’s worth. At £35k, with all that kit, it dances all over a basic Beemer. But £54k? Rising to £56k for the estate?”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Peugeot describes the 508 PSE as a ‘halo’ car, which is industry speak for saying it’s more about creating buzz than bolstering profit margins. We don’t expect to see many of these around, but we’ll salute anyone we do see driving one.”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The Volvo V60 T6, which offers similar pace. Add in the V60’s near identical pace and practicality, its superior refinement and the fact you can buy one privately for around £10,000 less, and the 508 PSE is a difficult car to recommend, despite some definite charms.”
Read review
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2018
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 79%
The Peugeot 508 PSE has not directly been tested by Euro NCAP, but the Peugeot 508 it is based on was awarded a full-five star crash test rating in 2018, with a notably high adult occupant score of 96%.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of September 2023, the Peugeot 508 PSE has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 159 mpg | A | 159 – 159 mpg | A – A |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 40 g/km | A | 40 – 46 g/km | A – A |
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 34 miles | E | 34 – 34 miles | E – E |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 41 | D | 41 – 50 | D – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £356 | C |
Year 2 | £834 | C |
Year 3 | £1,221 | C |
Year 4 | £1,388 | C |
Year 5 | £1,850 | C |
Overall | £5,649 | C |
Running costs for the Peugeot 508 PSE are a bit of a mixed bag, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Being a plug-in hybrid, fuel economy and CO2 emissions look great on paper, but that’s due to the woeful EU/UK goverment lab tests that are completely useless at measuring a plug-in hybrid…
Battery range also looks woeful, but it’s fairly average for a plug-in hybrid. A fully electric car of similar size, by comparison, will usually have about 250-300 miles of range.
Insurance costs are expensive compared to the regular 508 models, while servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are merely average.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Peugeot 508 PSE, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio | Audi S4 | BMW 3 Series | BMW M3 | Cupra Leon Estate | Ford Mustang | Mercedes-AMG C 63 | Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo | Skoda Octavia vRS | Volvo V60 Recharge
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Peugeot 508 family at The Car Expert
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