The Peugeot 508 has just been given a facelift update for 2023, sporting a refreshed exterior bearing many of the marque’s latest signature design touches. Although weirdly, its powertrain options are still stuck on older tech – we’ll get to that later.
Available in both sedan and estate/wagon body styles, the new 2023 Peugeot 508 distinguishes itself from its predecessor with an updated daytime-running light signature, featuring a three-stripe ‘claw’ design instead of the single ‘fang’ from before. Above, the headlight assembly is also now slimmer than before, and gets matrix LED illumination as standard across the range.
The grille has also been updated with the marque’s new emblem and its latest “borderless” design that blends into the bumper, which has also been given a slight revamp.
Changes to the rear are a little less obvious, limited to just a new Peugeot script between the taillights that replaces the previous logo. The taillights themselves have also been slightly restyled, with the triple-claw light signature now in a slanted orientation.
Wrapping up the exterior aesthetic changes are the new 18-inch aluminium wheels, alongside an updated colour palette that adds on Okenite White, Eclipse Blue, and Titanium Grey.
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Inside, the 2023 Peugeot 508’s i-Cockpit is updated with new software on the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display, adding new features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a TomTom Connected satellite navigation system, voice recognition, and over-the-air software updates.
The previous gear lever is also replaced with a new toggle switch, but aside from these changes, the rest of the cabin is largely identical to its predecessor.
Safety wise, the Peugeot 508 can be specified with a wide range of advanced driver assist systems, including adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality, lane assist, and interestingly, a night-vision system that that can detect cyclists, animals, and pedestrians.
As for powertrains, the new 2023 Peugeot 508 unfortunately misses out on the new mild-hybrid mill that was introduced on the 3008 and 5008 recently. Instead, the old 1.2-litre PureTech inline-three engine will soldier on as the model’s entry-level offering alongside the 1.5 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, both serving up 130 hp.
For export markets in Africa, Middle East, and Asia, a 1.6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 218 hp will be offered instead. All three internal combustion engine options are paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
Most buyers, in Europe at least, will likely be opting for one of the three plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options instead. For the standard 508 range, they’re made up of a 1.6-litre PureTech engine in two output configurations, paired to an 81 kW electric motor on the front axle for a total system output of either 180 hp or 225 hp.
Opt for the range-topping Peugeot Sport Engineering (PSE) variants, and you’ll get an extra 83 kW motor on the rear axle to give you all-wheel drive capabilities, and a total system output of 360 hp. The PSE also gets its energy management system from the Peugeot 9X8 race car, so it’s probably meant to feel a little more sporty.
The Peugeot 508 PSE is also slightly larger than the standard car, measuring 22 mm wider in front and 12 mm at the rear. The 20-inch wheels – wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres – are standard, and behind that are the larger brakes measuring 380 mm in front. Also standard on the PSE are the variable dampers that adapts to the Comfort, Hybrid, or Sport driving modes.
All three variants of the PHEV powertrains are paired to the same 12.4 kWh battery pack, which takes approximately one hour and 40 minutes to charge using the optional 7.4 kW charger, or about double that with the standard 3.7 kW onboard charger.
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