2010 Peugeot 508 Berline 1.6L THP 6MT FWD (156 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Peugeot introduced the 508 lineup in 2010 during the world financial crisis, trying to survive to stay afloat in a market where other famous automakers had major difficulties, and the French automaker’s efforts paid off.

Peugeot tried to cut expenses and production costs and introduced the 508 as a replacement for two vehicles: the mid-size sedan 407 and the executive D-segment sedan, the 607. The solution worked well, and while those who were eager to get a new generation of the 407 were satisfied since they received a larger car, those who asked for a better 607 got what they were asking for. The 508 was one of the vehicles that helped the French brand survive in the grueling market of the world financial crisis. Its features were good enough for those looking for a premium sedan, but its price was closer to mass-market vehicles.

At the front, the carmaker’s design team created many details that made the car look different in a market dominated by bland, uninspired mass-market vehicles of a similar size. Its broad trapezoidal grille was included in the bumper. It was flanked by organic-shaped swept-back headlights, which were continued on the fenders by the creases that formed the vehicle’s waistline. Lower, on the apron, Peugeot installed a second air intake that helped with the cooling, which was flanked by the fog lamps. Another unique design was for the hood, where the brand’s logo was applied into a recessed section extended towards the windshield.

From its profile, the car featured an arched waistline that went upward up to the B-pillars and then was slightly sloped down towards the back of the car. The greenhouse was also shaped like a curved line, and the B-post was black to create the image of a fake coupe. One of the brand’s particular design elements was the small triangular window placed on the forward area of the front doors and the rearview mirrors next to them. At the back, the automaker installed broad taillights extended from the quarter panels to the rear fascia but without being stretched over the trunk’s lid.

Inside, there was a sense of luxury and premium feel offered by many soft-touch areas on the dashboard, door cards, and the center console. The front bucket seats were designed for comfort, and the driver fronted a binocular-style instrument cluster where the speedometer and tachometer flanked an LCD between. Furthermore, Peugeot offered a head-up display, which was unusual for a mass-market vehicle. Still, information was not projected onto the windshield but on a separate retractable glass panel mounted above the instrument cluster’s visor. In the back, thanks to the long wheelbase and the low center tunnel that crossed the car from front to back, there was enough room for three passengers.

Under the hood, Peugeot installed a choice of turbo diesel and gasoline engines made mostly for fuel efficiency. In addition, the automaker offered a hybrid system powered by a small turbo-diesel powerplant and an electric motor. It didn’t have a long electric range but was good enough for silently parking the vehicle. This version was also the only 508 that featured an all-wheel drive system.