Hyundai Sonata VS Peugeot 508
Hyundai Sonata
Likes
- Update brings modern exterior
- Double 12.3-inch cabin displays
- Great performance and dynamics for the class
Dislikes
- No Sonata station wagon
- Only one version - the N Line
- No hybrid or EV variant
Peugeot 508
Likes
- Can't fault its looks - it's sexy
- Pleasant driving experience (once you get used to it)
- Boot space is fab for families
Dislikes
- Multimedia system leaves you wanting
- 180-degree view camera is poor quality
- Must charge it every day to get good fuel economy
Summary
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata N Line is a sedan. Not a hatchback, not a fastback, nor a coupe and definitely not an SUV.
And even though only a handful of people in Australia buy the Sonata N Line each year it’s been updated with a completely different look and new technology, making it an outstanding car in many ways.
The thing is, because we’re obsessed with SUVs in Australia most people will never know how good this sedan is - unlike you.
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So, let me congratulate you for making it this far. There’s probably so few of you I could possibly congratulate all of you in person. In an afternoon.
The big question is, though, is the Sonata N Line fit for Aussie families? Well, it scores well, but maybe not where it counts…
Let’s see what’s new and what the Sonata N Line can do.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.5L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.1L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Peugeot 508
The humble station wagon has fallen by the wayside in favour of the ever-popular SUV, however, it was once more common for a very good reason.
It offers the space many families crave without having to upsize into a vehicle that can feel big and bulky.
A lot of drivers enjoy the sportier on-road feel and the good-looking styling that often accompanies a wagon. Enter the Peugeot 508 Sportswagon. A model that proves wagons can be hot.
Read more about
I’m family-testing the top GT plug-in hybrid model this week but there’s not a lot to compare it to because of the interesting engine specs.
So, we’re being a bit cheeky and doing an ‘apples with oranges’ comparo instead.
Being on the premium end, the 508 Sportswagon faces competition from the Audi A4 Allroad 45 TFSI, Genesis G70 Shooting Brake and Volvo V60 Cross Country Ultimate.
It certainly has the looks to turn heads but we’re sussing out whether it’s a practical alternative for families, too.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.6L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 1.8L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Hyundai Sonata7.8/10
The updated Sonata N Line looks beautifully modern from its new face to the refreshed cockpit, while remaining a ‘driver’s car’ with good dynamics, and a sporty engine.Â
The Sonata isn’t an ideal family car, however. This is down to a lack of practicality. Although the cabin is fairly roomy, if that roofline wasn’t so coupe-like and cabin storage was better, and the boot had a large hatch opening, and the ride height was more elevated then it would be a great family car. Oh, I’ve just described an SUV.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.
Peugeot 5087.1/10
The Peugeot 508 Sportswagon GT PHEV proves wagons can be extremely stylish but looks aren’t everything and it is an expensive option compared to its luxury rivals. It earns its place with the premium interior but the safety could be improved on and the tech is more confusing than it needs to be. But this wagon offers an alternative for families who are sick of being in an SUV yet still need a little extra space.Â
My son didn’t go nuts over this and complained about his view.
Design
Hyundai Sonata
So, we’ve established that the Sonata N Line is a sedan and that means if you’re still reading this you are, a) A Sonata owner looking to trade the old one in for this new one, b) Driving another type of sedan such as a Toyota Camry or Volkswagen Passat and looking to update your trusty steed with one from Hyundai or c) Not in the market for an SUV.
Whatever the reason, sedans lend themselves to being sleek and sophisticated in their styling just by being lower to the ground than SUVs and generally longer than sports cars.
The Sonata N Line is long at 4.91m end-to-end. That’s only 8.0cm shorter than the gigantic Hyundai Palisade which has eight seats. I know… it bends the mind.
This new Sonata N Line looks even wider than the previous version, too, with that broad flat bonnet meeting the Seamless Horizon LED strip.
Fact is the Sonata N Line is 1.86m across - exactly the same as the previous version. Remind me never to wear a 'seamless horizon' T-shirt on days I’m feeling rotund.Â
If you look closely at the photos you can see the hidden LED headlights flanking the large, dark and low-set grille.
The rear of the new Sonata looks so different from the previous version, too, with its boot lid spoiler and LED tail-lights.Â
The menacing body kit comes with the N Line grade and accentuates the sporty nature of this car. It’s a good thing it has an engine to back up the looks, but more on that later.
Inside, the Sonata has been given the new 12.3-inch curved screens and a digital climate control display, while the steering wheel is new and adorned with the Hyundai 'Morse Code' badge (the letter H is four dots in Morse Code). It’s a premium and modern looking cockpit topped off with suede and leather leather N Line sports seats.
Peugeot 508
The design of this wagon is what wins it the most points. It is a damn fine specimen with the sleek lines in the body panelling and the sexy rear that looks well-proportioned for its 4790mm length.
Dark, narrow windows, 18-inch alloy wheels and a minimalist-looking nose, with fang-like daytime-running lights, all enhance its sporty look.
The rear lights have Peugeot’s signature ‘claw’ design and there’s something suggestively fun about seeing a twin-exhaust on a wagon!
On the interior, the multimedia system takes centre stage and the dashboard looks quite sleek, despite all of the deep cutaways.
The steering wheel is in the compact style that Peugeot is known for but it makes the cockpit feel driver orientated.
The quilted Nappa leather trims and shiny piano-black accents (with the piano-key controls) make for a refined cabin space.
Practicality
Hyundai Sonata
Sedans might be sleek and sophisticated but practicality is not typically their strength because their low height means passenger access isn’t as easy as it is with an SUV, but mainly because the cargo carrying ability is limited by the relatively small boot opening.
Still, the Sonata N Line does have a big 480-litre boot and cabin storage has been improved thanks to the gear shifter being relocated to the steering column and freeing up space in the centre console for stowing items and a wireless phone charger.
Rear legroom is also good. I’m 189cm tall and I can sit behind my driving position with space to spare. Headroom back there is also good thanks to contoured heading which has a ‘carved out’ section for extra space.
Along with the wireless phone charger there are two Type-C USB ports up front and another two for the second row.
There are four cupholders (two up front and two in the second row) and decent sized bottle holders in the doors.
This lack of practicality compared to an SUV or even a station wagon means the Sonata N Line really isn’t the perfect family car.
Peugeot 508
The front row gets the most space and you’ll be able to get into a comfortable position even if you’re tall.
However, it is a low car with its 142mm ground clearance and there may be a few grunts as you get in and out (or is it just me?).
My seven-year old loves how easy it is to climb in, though he didn’t have the best view out of the windows because the sills sit high.
The footwell lip also sits quite high, which isn’t an issue until you can’t open your door very wide and then it’s clumsy in a tight parking space.
The electric front seats are very comfortable and the extendable under-thigh support helps to minimise leg fatigue on a longer journey.
Surprisingly, for my 168cm (5'6") height, I have to sit much further back than I ordinarily would to get a comfy driving position.
In the back, you have plenty of headroom but behind my driving position, the legroom could be better.
An adult would still find it fairly comfortable on a longer journey so long as they aren’t behind someone tall. The seats themselves are well-cushioned and you sit in, rather than on top of them.
Individual storage options are good for this class with a dual-opening middle console, glove box and a great utility cubby next to the transmission shifter.
There is also a shelf underneath the centre console that houses the wireless charging pad and two USB-A ports but it’s a tad awkward to use and even see the ports when you're seated.
The amenities are good in the rear but for a top-spec model it’s lacking the luxury items you might expect, like heated seats and climate control but you’ll enjoy map pockets, reading lights, two USB-A ports and directional air vents.
It also has a fold-down armrest with two shallow cupholders, that in a quick turn, might spill their cups!
The boot is a great size at 530L with all seats in use and you can bump it to 1780L with the rear seats folded.
You get a level loading space and a 60/40 split with a ski-port in the back seat, which opens up your storage options.
There is a tyre repair kit rather than a physical spare but the tailgate is powered, which I always like. Â
The technology is a mixed bag. It looks sharp and the touchscreen multimedia system is responsive but isn’t as easy to use as others I’ve sampled.
It doesn’t have a lot of accessible information or customisations available but it is easy to connect to the wired Apple CarPlay. There is also wired Android Auto for those users and built-in satellite navigation.Â
The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel is the prettiest piece of tech in the car and there is more customisation available to make it feel yours.
Considering its price point and top-model status, it's more obvious that you miss out on premium items like three-zone climate control, faster USB-C connections and a head-up display.
Price and features
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai offers one type of Sonata in Australia, so there’s not a lot of choice. Actually there’s no choice: it’s the petrol version of the Sonata in the sporty N Line grade or nothing.
But if I were to choose one Sonata this would be the one, even if at a list price of $55,500 it’s quite expensive and about $3500 more than the previous Sonata N Line.
In return for the almost $56K price you’re getting a lot of standard features, including a mountain of new equipment for this updated model.
So, new for this 2024 Sonata are dual 12.3-inch curved screens for media and driving instruments, the digital climate control display, there’s a column-mounted gear shifter, LED ambient lighting and a hands-free boot lid. That’s in addition to proximity unlocking, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
There’s also suede and Nappa leather seats, a leather steering wheel, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, LED headlights and the LED strip which wraps around the front of the Sonata.
Hyundai calls it the 'Seamless Horizon', which sounds beautifully poetic and leads us nicely into the Design section of this review.
Peugeot 508
Keeping things simple, there are only two variants for the 508 Sportswagon and our test vehicle is the top GT plug-in hybrid model that will cost $82,915 before on road costs.
That’s a $1000 price hike from last year and sets it well above its rivals with the Audi A4 coming closest at $78,169 (MSRP).
Given its rivals are well known for their luxury, the 508 has a fair bit to live up to but its styling and use of premium materials, like the quilted Nappa-leather trims, help it earn its position within the ranks.
The interior gets some other lovely big-ticket items with the eight-way electric front seats and a two-way memory position function on the driver’s seat.
Both front seats feature a heat function, adjustable lumbar support and a fabulous massage function. The ‘Cat Paw’ option is particularly nice!
However, the back seat misses out on these ‘top-end’ creature comforts.
There is a sunroof optioned on our test vehicle which adds $2500 to the price tag but creates an airy cabin in what would ordinarily be a bat-cave-esque space with that black headliner.
Only one colour is included in the price and our ‘Pearl White’ costs an extra $1050.
Technology has been revitalised with a new 10-inch touchscreen multimedia system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Dual-zone climate control, push-button start, keyless entry and a powered tailgate all add some practicality to every day life, too.
Phone mirroring tech like wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are easy to connect to and there are a bunch of charging options available throughout the car, including a wireless charging pad up front.
All-in-all, though, the features list isn’t as long as the price point might suggest.
Under the bonnet
Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata N Line comes with a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine making 213kW and 422Nm, which is plenty of oomph, and it all goes to the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
So no, there’s not a diesel version nor an all-wheel drive version, but this sporty engine suits the Sonata N Line perfectly.
That said a hybrid variant would be good seeing it’s 2023.
Peugeot 508
The GT plug-in hybrid model has a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, as well as an electric motor that sits on the front axle. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission that produces smooth gear changing driving the front wheels.
The combined outputs are 165kW and 360Nm which means you have a good amount of power for this sized car but it’s not a performance wagon as its 0-100km/h sprint time is 8.3 seconds.
The lithium-ion battery has a small 11.8kWh capacity and will get from 0-100 per cent in three and a half hours on an 11kW system. On my standard house plug, it took closer to six and a half hours.
Efficiency
Hyundai Sonata
As we were saying above there’s no hybrid variant of the Sonata N Line and there should be. Actually there is, but Hyundai says it isn't available for the Australian market.
So, this turbo-petrol four-cylinder is all we have and according to Hyundai it uses 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
When we tested it at the launch our trip computer was reporting exactly 8.1L/100km, but the roads were clear, the traffic was nowhere to be seen, so you can expect that consumption to climb higher if you’re commuting around the city.
Peugeot 508
Peugeot says you can travel up to 55km on pure electric function, however my morning (return) school run is 38.4km and the electric range was spent by the time I parked in my garage after starting on a full charge.Â
Under optimal conditions, where you’re utilising both the engine and motor, the GT PHEV has an official fuel cycle consumption of 1.5L/100km.
After charging it three times, travelling 444km on a mix of open/urban roads and using 33 litres of fuel, my real-world usage came to 7.4L/100km.
You absolutely get the best economy when you regularly charge it but sometimes you just don’t get the time to!
You'll need 43 litres of premium 95 RON unleaded fuel to fill the tank which, using our real-world average consumption figure, translates to a driving range of around 580km.
Driving
Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata N Line’s performance matches its sporty looks. That turbo-petrol engine is responsive and provides great acceleration, the transmission shifts fast and the steering is nicely weighted and accurate.Â
Add to this better rigidity in the car’s structure in this updated model and a feeling of stability thanks to this being a sedan with a low centre of mass and you have a dynamic and enjoyable vehicle in your hands.
Sure it doesn't have the sky-high visibility that comes from the pilot’s seat of an SUV, but the Sonata N Line is for those who like to drive but still want the practicality of four doors, back seats and a boot.
Peugeot 508
The 508 Sportswagon is an odd car to drive. Around the city, the steering makes it feel like you’re in a go-kart and you may over-correct until you get used to it.Â
On the open-road, it feels like it gets into its groove but the power reserves feel a tad too shallow as the engine can complain with only a light load.Â
The suspension is well padded and you won’t notice too many bumps but you do get a fair bit of wind and road feedback at higher speeds.Â
Because of the narrow windows, I am surprised by how great the visibility is but you feel tiny when you sit next to a big SUV in traffic!
That said, it corners beautifully and taking this on a winding coastal road is super fun.
The brakes are very responsive, which is great in stop-start city traffic but can make it feel a little jerky while navigating a car park.
And on that note, because of the funky steering feel, it takes a moment to calibrate your senses with what the car is doing.
Once you get used to it, it’s simple to park but the quality of the 180-degree camera system is pretty rubbish for where this car sits in the market.
Safety
Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata N Line hasn’t been tested by ANCAP, but it does have an extensive armoury of safety tech including AEB (which also works at intersections) able to detect pedestrians, cyclists, other cars and now motorbikes.
There’s blind spot warning which pulls you back into your lane and lane keeping assistance, plus rear cross-traffic alert with braking, as well.
A rear occupant alert will remind the driver there are passengers in the back seat and 'Safe Exit Assist' will protect children from opening the door into moving traffic.
Along with all this, which Hyundai bundles together in its 'Safety Sense' package as standard on the Sonata N Line, there are also side airbags protecting the rear passengers and plenty of airbags in the front for the driver and passenger.
Peugeot 508
The 508 has most but not all of the safety features you expect to see in a family car.
The active bonnet is a great feature as it lifts up in a collision to help minimise pedestrian injuries.Â
However, in the modern market and this being a top-spec model, I am surprised it's lacking a few safety features, namely rear cross-traffic alert.
Other standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, LED daytime running lights, forward collision warning, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning, intelligent seat belt reminders, front and rear parking sensors, a 180-degree view reversing camera, traffic sign recognition, a driver attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality.
The 508 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done way back in 2018 and it only sports six airbags, which is low for a family vehicle.
The 508 has autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection and is operational from 10.0– 80km/h (5.0 – 140km/h for car).
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard rear seat positions and three top tethers in the second row but two child seats will fit best. Front passenger comfort may be compromised when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed.
Ownership
Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata N Line is covered by Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.Â
Servicing is recommended annually or every 10,000km. There’s no capped price serving but you can buy a 'Lifetime' or a five-year plan that work out to be between $350-$400 on average a year.Â
Peugeot 508
On the 508 you’ll enjoy a five-year/unlimited km warranty and the battery is covered by an eight-year or up to 160,000km warranty, which is great.
You can pre-purchase either a three- or five-year servicing plan and the five-year plan costs a flat $2100 or an average of $420 per service which is very reasonable for this class.Â
Servicing intervals are at every 12months or 20,000km, whichever occurs first.