Peugeot 308 and 508: two very appealing ways to enjoy the summer

The arrival of summer brings many things, such as planning holidays, going to the beach, resting and much more, but there is always a special place for the world of cars. The arrival of this season can be the perfect moment to embark on the adventure of getting a new companion for the road, and we bring you two good examples for that. The Peugeot range is growing and improving considerably, something the French brand has achieved with the arrival of the new 508. However, the arrival of these new vehicles would not have been possible without the success enjoyed by other, longer-running models, such as the 308.

Today, at Highmotor, we are going to talk about the main features of both French models, which could become the ideal vehicle not only to face the summer, but any other season in which we have to make long journeys. Peugeot has managed to create two versatile and efficient vehicles, two essential qualities in a car that can become our faithful everyday companion.

Peugeot 508 and 508 SW: the perfect saloon and estate for long journeys

Summer is very often a clear and concise synonym for travelling and discovering new places, which can be reached by four wheels. If you are a car enthusiast, you will surely have a clear idea of your choice of transport when setting off on a long trip, and the new Peugeot 508, both in its saloon body and in the recently presented SW, can be the ideal companions for travelling.

The French brand has skilfully combined the virtues of a traditional saloon with a striking design, which is based on a new language governed by elegance and sportiness. The new and attractive lines of the 508 will make you turn around more than once after parking it, but the exterior is complemented by many other virtues.

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The cabin of the 508 is presented as the ideal place to cover hundreds of kilometres during our summer trip. In it, we find not only the comfort characteristic of the French brand’s vehicles, but also a wide arsenal of technology. Once seated inside the new 508, we notice that Peugeot still uses its innovative i-Cockpit, but improving it in many aspects.

The first thing that catches our attention is the new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which allows the driver to obtain all kinds of information without having to take their eyes off the road. At the same time, this instrument cluster is complemented by the 10-inch infotainment screen, which also brings together a multitude of functions while maintaining a sober and minimalist design.

These two elements will be key on our long journeys, since they will allow us not only to satisfy any of our needs on board the 508, but also to enjoy its technological innovations. These are also reflected in the numerous driver assistance systems offered by the French saloon, which make not only our most routine journeys safer, but also our longer trips.

One of the main novelties of the Peugeot 508 is its night vision system, which works through an infrared camera and detects objects and people up to 200 metres beyond what the headlights illuminate. We also find the emergency braking system, which will stop our French saloon at speeds between 5 and 140 km/h. Furthermore, the new 508 also incorporates various elements such as the lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and blind spot detection, among others, but these are not the only novelties offered by the new 508.

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The character of the new flagship of Peugeot has two sides, which lead to comfort and sportiness. To achieve both qualities, the 508 relies on a very complete range of engines that will reward the driver with performance typical of its segment. On one hand, we find two 1.6-litre petrol engines, which are capable of delivering 180 and 225 CV. Both engines are linked to an EAT8 automatic gearbox which, as its name suggests, has eight ratios.

As for diesel engines, we currently have four options, which are split into two 1.5-litre engines and two 2.0-litre engines. The first engine produces 130 CV and is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, although it can also be combined with the EAT8 gearbox. As for the 2.0-litre engines, there are two variants: one capable of delivering 160 CV and the most powerful of the diesels, which produces 180 CV and has fuel consumption typical of a compact.

As for the prices of the new 508, there is a wide range of options, which will win over all potential customers of the French brand’s saloon. Prices vary depending on the trim level and engine selected: the Active trim can be paired with the 130 CV BlueHDi engine and manual gearbox at €27,250, a figure that rises to €29,250 with the EAT8 gearbox, and with the 180 CV PureTech engine and automatic gearbox, which starts at €30,100.

If we opt for the Business Line trim, we can only pair it with the most modest 130 CV diesel engine, but in its favour, it comes with extensive standard equipment. The Peugeot 508 with this trim is available from €28,800, a figure that rises to €30,800 if the automatic gearbox is chosen.

The Allure trim is presented as one of the most balanced options, where we can choose the 130 CV BlueHDi engine, the 180 CV PureTech and the 2.0-litre 160 CV diesel. Their prices are €29,850 to €31,850 with the EAT8 gearbox and 130 CV engine, €32,700 and €33,500 respectively. However, Peugeot did not want to stop at this intermediate step, which is why it offers two more trims.

On one hand, we find the GT Line trim, which includes the engines mentioned above and allows the addition of the 180 CV 2.0 BlueHDi. Prices for this version are €32,150 for the 130 CV 508 with manual gearbox and €34,150 with the EAT8 gearbox, €35,000 for the 180 CV PureTech, €35,800 for the 160 CV BlueHDi and, finally, €37,900 for the 180 CV BlueHDi.

If we want to give our 508 a much sportier character, the GT trim will be a safe bet. With it, we can only fit two engines: the all-powerful 225 CV PureTech and the 180 CV BlueHDi. Both engines are priced at €41,300 and €41,900 respectively; however, this is not the only thing waiting for us within the Peugeot range.

Peugeot 308: the versatile compact for the whole year

The compact segment is an ideal segment for meeting all our needs, especially when we can do without all the space offered by a saloon like the 508. Within the French brand we find the Peugeot 308, a model that stands out not only for its great success, but also for its capabilities and, above all, for its versatility.

At the time of its launch, the Peugeot 308 inherited a great legacy, which has been passed down from generation to generation for decades but, without a doubt, this latest version has lived up to expectations. Its striking and elegant design has managed to win the hearts of thousands of satisfied customers, but this is only just the beginning.

The French compact is the perfect candidate not only to face the summer, but also at any time of the year. Its dimensions make it the ideal companion for navigating urban environments and, at the same time, it has enough poise to undertake many journeys and successfully complete our summer trip. But that is not all, since the 308 also features important novelties that make it a truly attractive product.

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Its striking yet elegant design makes the Peugeot compact stand out considerably from the competition, something it has been achieving since 2014, when the lion brand kicked off its production. However, the package the 308 is capable of offering is not limited to its exterior design, but also extends to its cabin and mechanics.

The interior of the 308 follows the minimalist philosophy so characteristic of the brand, where buttons are reduced to a minimum in order to offer cleanliness and elegance in equal measure. The striking i-Cockpit is also present in the French compact, where a small steering wheel becomes the undisputed star of its interior. But that is not all, as the Peugeot 308 also stands out for its generous space, with wide rear seats and a boot large enough to carry all our belongings this summer.

This virtue is another of the features that make the 308 a versatile vehicle ready to face any kind of circumstance, but it is also something it achieves with the different engine options offered by the lion brand’s compact. As with the 508, several trims are available for the 308, which can be paired with different engines and prices.

The most modest trim is called Access and is characterised by offering the essentials at a price that no competitor model is able to match. With this trim, we can choose between two engines: a 110 CV PureTech available from €16,100 and a 100 CV BlueHDi starting at €17,000. If we want to take a step further, we should opt for the Business Line, which includes more extensive standard equipment and, in addition to the two engines mentioned above, also features a 130 CV BlueHDi. Prices with this trim are €16,650, €17,550 and €19,150 respectively.

The Style trim is one of the most balanced, as it combines a wide range of engines with the option of an automatic gearbox and, at the same time, offers generous standard equipment. The engines mentioned above are joined by the 130 CV PureTech and BlueHDi, both available with either manual or EAT8 automatic gearbox. Prices with this trim are €18,050 for the PureTech 110 CV, €18,800 for the PureTech 130 CV, rising to €20,600 with automatic gearbox, €18,950 for the BlueHDi 100 CV and €20,550 respectively for the BlueHDi 130 CV, a figure that rises to €22,350 with the EAT8 option.

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If we want an intermediate trim we should go for the Allure, which combines practicality with efficiency. Within this trim we will find the engines mentioned above but at a certain extra cost, since we are acquiring more extensive equipment and better finished interiors than in lower versions. Prices start at €19,250, moving up to €20,000 and rising to €24,050, the figure corresponding to the 308 with the 130 CV BlueHDi engine and automatic gearbox.

If we opt for the Tech Edition trim, we will find greater exclusivity overall, both in trim and engines. With this option we can choose between the 130 CV PureTech engines in both manual and automatic and, in the diesel category, we can get the 130 CV BlueHDi with either manual or EAT8 gearbox. In this case, prices rise to €21,050, €22,850, €23,300 and €25,100 respectively.

The next step is set by the 308 GT Line, a trim that is only paired with the two engines available with the Tech Edition version but which includes a somewhat sportier character. Both the 130 CV PureTech, manual and automatic, and the BlueHDi of the same power, with the same transmissions, are the only engines available with the GT Line trim. These are priced at €21,800, €23,600, €24,050 and €25,850 respectively.

Finally, we find the most sporty and efficient 308 within the French compact range, aside from the GTi, a set of characteristics that is achieved with the GT trim. In it, we can choose between two engines: a 1.6 PureTech capable of delivering 225 CV and a 180 CV BlueHDi. Both engines have a starting price of €28,500 and €29,250 respectively. If our level of sportiness is above what Peugeot has established, we can always opt for the 308 GTi, a true sporty compact capable of producing 270 CV and available from €37,000.

Peugeot 508 or Peugeot 308: which is the best option for the summer?

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Here lies the crux of the matter, since both models have countless advantages for facing the summer and, of course, the rest of the year. However, both the 508 and the 308 are very compelling options, where the French saloon arrives as the ideal vehicle for undertaking long journeys and discovering exotic places during the summer; while the compact can be our companion if our intention is to go to the beach accompanied by the comfort and space that the 308 is capable of offering.

Either way, both Peugeot vehicles will adapt like a glove to our circumstances and intentions but, if you have any serious doubts, you can always get behind the wheel of both the newly launched 508 and the 308 and get out of that dilemma with a simple test drive, being able to choose fruitfully not only our ideal summer companion, but also a new companion for life.

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Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackPeugeot 30824 versions · from 31,770 €