Faults:

When I got the car, the fuel gauge didn't show the correct quantity.

Passenger side front door was making cracking noises while opening and closing.

General Comments:

I wanted to test the new Peugeot type cockpits. So, while I had my Alfa 159 in the shop for repair and maintenance, I rented a new 508 for a week.

1- Interior design: I am 190 cm tall. With the driver seat pushed back as much as possible + the steering wheel as low as possible and pulled back as much as possible, that was the best ever driving position that I have ever experienced in a civilian car. This cockpit in terms of driving position is very well executed. So much that when I had my 159 back, it felt like as if I was driving a minibus or a pickup truck. The instrument cluster is clearly visible and readable, no issues at all. My only two reproaches are the following:

a- The center console from the arm rest to the main dash does not really have to be that high. It isn't a problem at all the way it is, but I think it is to give a "more expensive look" to the whole thing and to have the short gear selector right there at easy reach while you still have your arm resting on the armrest. You select your gear by just moving your hand while the arm is standing still. However, if ever you park in a very tight space and want to get out from the passenger side, that's going to be mission impossible.

b- As stated above, the driving position was a dream for me, but the downside is when you get in and out of the car, you have to be quite flexible, specially if you happen to park right next to an elevated walk way along the street. A device to get the steering wheel out of the way quickly, like on the big lorries, would be very welcome!

2- Fuel consumption: I drove the car for about 1000 km in city and highway mixed to speeds up to 120 km/h. My average consumption was 4 liters to 100 km. I didn't specially push the car, I just drove the same way I drive all the time. The 8 speed auto transmission tends to keep the revs between 1500 and 2000 rpm as much as possible, and having 8 gears helps it in a great way in this feat. This consumption figure is about half of my 159 and 1/3 of my Saab 9-5!!!

3- Reliability: I do not have much to comment given that I drove the car for 1000 kms only. However, I should highlight that the car had only 12000 kms on the clock and had a faulty fuel gauge and a cracking passenger side door. Hmmmm.

4- General comfort and road handling: The suspension is perfect for winding roads, highways and in general terms for sporty handling, but just a tiny bit harsh for city and potholes. Seats are very good both comfort and ergonomic wise. As a matter of comparison, a Megane4 feels much comfier but much less stable; the 508 feels like a sports car in return.

5- Noise insulation is, I have to say, good. It didn't feel so much silent and insulated while driving it, but I only figured how good it was when I got my 159 back.

Given that I hadn't driven a single Peugeot in the last 15 years (and it was a 1997 model 306 the last time), that's a huge step forward. But still, small/non-vital but a bit irritating problems seem to be there and that's a bit of deception.

This car would not suit you if you prioritize easy access in and out, comfy ride, generous leg space at the back.

For the likes of me who are not interested in the legroom at the back or the luggage compartment capacity neither its inner form, that's a very good car.

It may be a very serious candidate of a car with this design inside and out for the future if only... it was built by Germans or Japaneses and sold for French prices!