Peugeot 508 Allure HDi

Richard Blackburn

Sydney Morning Herald. September 30, 2011

It might not be the most engaging drive, but there's no shortage of French style.

Peugeots are rarely dull; sometimes infuriating, sometimes disappointing and unreliable but rarely are they dull. And so it is with the French maker's latest creation, the 508, although first impressions might suggest otherwise. The new 508 is conservatively clothed. The trademark gaping front grille and dramatically swooping lines have given way to an exterior design unlikely to turn many heads.

But the positioning of this new car is likely to prick ears, as Peugeot says it is a large car, which places it in competition with Australia's besieged home-grown heroes, the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon. More likely competitors, however, are mid-sizers such as the Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Mondeo, cars that offer European cachet for a reasonable price.

Overall verdict

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The 508 picks up where the smaller 308 left off. It's a much-improved effort from the French brand, with a well-executed cabin design,generous feature list married to a reasonable price and improved ride. It might not have the acres of space of a Commodore or Falcon or the sharp driving dynamics of the Mondeo andMazda6 but it has a touch of French flair that makes it a worthwhile prospect for anyone thinking a little outside the square.