Name: Peugeot 508 PSE (2021 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Peugeot 508 PSE
Rating: 66.0

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.

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 arrived in the second half of 2023.

As of January 2025, the Peugeot 508 PSE holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 66%. Being a plug-in hybrid, it has very low official CO2 emissions. Its safety rating is also good, but running costs are high and the 508 range has a poor reliability record.

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

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: 2023 facelift liftback
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.”
Author: 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

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.”
Read review

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?”
Read review

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

Safety rating

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%.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Peugeot 508 PSE has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

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.