Months after the reveal of the striking new generation Peugeot 508 sedan, the French company released the first tidbits about the new wagon called the Peugeot 508 SW. It comes in many different guises including one with the small, 1.5-liter diesel engine, but its beefier and most advanced versions come with the 508 SW GT plaque. It is still the 508 SW but with added goodies that provoke the sense of upscale styling, high-end tech, and engaging driving characteristics.

Peugeot Made The 508 SW GT With As Little Changes As Possible Compared With The Sedan

Obviously, technology was completely transferred from the sedan to the SW, but what I find especially impressive is the fact that Peugeot actually managed to craft the wagon without changing many of the sedan's styling cues. Frameless doors are still there, as is the couple-like silhouette of the roof, and the aggressive front end. As far as the rear goes, Peugeot designers successfully translated the rear lights and the rear bumper from the sedan. In full. This is a crucial step in retaining that dignified and sophisticated design Peugeot is so proud of.

Keeping as much of that swept back roof as possible, the 508 SW even echoes the premium aura of the sedan. After all, some Peugeot officials did mention the CLA Shooting Brake and the CLS Shooting Brake as cars that somewhat inspired the design of the 508 SW. Honestly, I would be lying if I wrote that I did not see some traces of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo influence there too. See, there was no talk about non-premium cars from Peugeot. At all. The company wants to make the 508 more than it ever was. Peugeot simply has to do it, as the 508 Product Manager Bernard Hesse inferred that the 508 SW will make 60-65 percent of all sales they make on the 508. The SW will, thus, have to attract buyers who are considering SUVs. The 508 SW has no way to achieve that without obvious sophistication linked with the best of premium.

Although a car of a newer generation, the 508 SW takes a slightly different approach to evolution. It is almost 2 and a half inches lower and 2 inches shorter compared to the car it replaces. As is the case with the 508 saloon, the 508 SW makes headway trying to fight the premium cars from Germany.

The GT version, which was quite alluring in the previous gen, seemingly manages to entice prospective buyers with the new car as well. Apart from some tech advances and add-ons, the 508 SW GT has certain design cues actually setting it apart from the rest of the lineup. Most notably, you can choose big wheels (at least 18-inch wheels,) a prominent rear spoiler, and a deep front spoiler with a slightly more aggressive appearance compared to the standard cars.

The Boot

Despite all the fancy stuff, the boot of the 508 SW GT is on par with what the European competition offers. With 530 liters in its basic configuration, it matches that of the Passat and the Insignia Sports Tourer, but overshoots the boot of the Mondeo Estate by 5 liters. With all seats folded, the Peugeot 508 SW boot capacity rises to 1,780 liters.

Although slightly smaller compared with the boot of the previous 508 SW, Peugeot made the cargo space quite practical. With all the seats folded, it offers a nearly flat surface. Plus, the sill is quite low at 63.5 centimeters (25 inches) from the ground. It also comes with a stainless steel boot lid to ease loading and unloading, as well as eliminate worries about scratching the soft plastic. Add to this the hands-free opening system, and you'ver got yourself a really practical vehicle. Now, the GT does throw in a few more features for added convenience. Aluminum floor rails (for the GT) help a lot with securing the cargo. The GT also gains a net.

One of the most important practicality options, though, is the addition of the rear seats folding handles at the sides of the boot. Pull both of them, and you can instantly fold down the rear seats without the need to move from the back of the car to get a nearly flat surface. Peugeot named this feature the Magic Flat. This is not a revolutionary feature, but it is one you will be grateful for having - especially in a wagon.

Technology

Trying to upscale the 508, Peugeot had to figure out how to integrate as much tech as possible into it. The Saloon and the SW share much of the tech with the GT versions actually getting all there is to get. Although I planned to list all the features Peugeot integrated into the 508 SW GT, I have decided not to as that would go on for way too long. Instead, I’ll tell you that this wagon has a Night Vision system - a first for a car in this class. Using infrared sensors, the system can recognize if something is on the road 200 yards in advance. The system will present information to the driver and thus enhance safety in low visibility conditions. Yet, some of the best features are available only with the EAT8 automatic gearbox. These include the Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and the Full Park Assist (it will basically park for you.)

Add to this the Lane Keep Assist, the Active Safety Brake system, the Driver Attention alert and the Automatic High Beam assist, and the 508 SW GT is transformed into a comfortable cruiser you can talk about in a bar with your geeky friends.

The infotainment system is the next big thing. With two large displays - a 12.3-inch behind the wheel and a 10-inch display in the middle, the ambiance in the cabin is truly unique. Peugeot’s small steering wheel only adds to the whole outlandish environment. The i-Cockpit features an advanced infotainment system, includes 3D connected navigation with TomTom® Traffic, Mirror Screen, compatible with Mirrorlink®, Android Auto™, and Apple Carplay, and Induction-based Smartphone charging. For me, the most important feature is the i-Cockpit Amplify which actually enables you to change the driving modes (ECO/Sport/Comfort/Normal), precisely tailoring the 508 SW GT experience to your needs.

Suspension

The new 508 SW GT should be a quite capable and engaging car. The EMP2 platform it is based on offers unique structural benefits that the previous platform lacked. For one, rigidity was dramatically improved thanks to the new adhesive technology, and weight has been slashed by more than 150 lbs. Attached to the architecture is the multi-link suspension with a variable damping control (Active Suspension Control) which is standard gear on the GT. The setup of the suspension is a tad different compared with the saloon car. After all, the 508 SW is a bit heavier, but special geometry and stiffness of the components does offer driving characteristics on par with those of the saloon.

Luxuries

Fighting for its share of the market in a dying segment where only plush, expensive and advanced prosper made Peugeot reconsider its approach to luxury. Apart from the unique i-Cockpit layout, the 508 SW GT gained perforated leather on the steering wheel, Zebrano wood decorations on the dash, fabric covering the inside of the storage units and a multitude of impressive tech such as massaged seats, panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, hi-fi system by Focal with 10 speakers, and more. Add to this the unique ambient lighting options accessible through the i-Cockpit and the 508 SW GT cabin moves a long way from the somewhat ordinary ambient of before.

Engines

The GT is, of course, equipped with the most powerful of engines. Yet, if you choose the GT Line option, you can downscale your power. Nevertheless, the petrol side of things includes a 1.6-liter turbocharged PureTech developing 222 horsepower, while the top-notch diesel is a BlueHDi with 178 horsepower. Both of these are matched with the 8-speed automatic featuring coasting options. The freewheeling mode is active between 15 mph and 80 mph. According to Peugeot officials, this will make your 508 SW three percent easier on fuel. Definitely, something to consider.

Other non-GT engine options include a 1.5-liter and a 2.0-liter diesel with power ranging from 128 horsepower to 158 horsepower and a slightly less powerful 1.6-liter PureTech with 178 horsepower.

Conclusion

The Peugeot 508 SW GT tries to link two worlds - a world of practicality and convenience its predecessor brought and a world of fashion and high standards the new 508 saloon introduced us with. Considering the sophisticated styling, the endless list of options and that finely tuned chassis, the new 508 SW GT may even pull this off. It will be one of the most expensive offerings in the Peugeot 508 lineup, but with a certain acerbic attitude and a number of traits clearly aiming at the ever elusive premium quality, I do not really find this wagon to be a dull one. It offers the best in terms of luxury, the best in terms of technology and the best in terms of safety. The only downside may be those unimpressively powerful engines. Yet, I am looking at this from an American perspective. In Europe, 222 horsepower could be optimum. Nevertheless, the Plug-in Hybrid petrol powertrain will enter the stardom of the 508 SW in the second half of 2019. Hopefully, Peugeot will be adventurous.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Peugeot 508.

Read more Peugeot news.