Four middle-class sedans in the test: New, larger representatives such as Mazda 6, Opel Insignia or the recently revised VW Passat make Mittelklassler old school such as the Peugeot 407 in the shade. Now, the French manufacturer brings the representative-looking Peugeot 508 succeeding. Who offers the most for the money?
Time was it again for a representative car with lion in the grill - after ceased the 607. The Peugeot 508 reaches not all its length, is but to him on elegance in anything and thus nourishes the used to love used characterization of large Peugeot models as France Mercedes. In the bourgeois class Peugeot 508 in the test, Passat meets the established Opel Opel Insignia, the 2010 revised Mazda 6 and the recently retreaded VW.All four representatives position with strong diesel replacing. So the relatively cheap Peugeot 508 with its 140 PS two liter meets the equally strong, but significantly more expensive Volkswagen Passat. Mazda 6 and Opel Insignia are priced between them, but to do something more with 163 and 160 HP.
Test for Peugeot 508 in the test. His commitment to quality withstands curious wandering fingertips while views over the appetizing presented cockpit. Only the sense of space is not the expectation that arouses the power performance. In the rear, it is missing the legs to opportunity; Shins are on the front seat. Also the once considered typical French grave nature reached the suspension of Peugeot 508 not; After all, removes it from the sport airs and graces of 407 and returns again to the smoothness of driving.
Good noise isolation and a soft sauselnder, although weak diesel bear witness in the of. Little shelves, a sto?ige control, a knorpeliges gearbox as well as a very large turning circle preclude the in the Peugeot 508.
At least, recollects Peugeot of an other French virtue, calculated unrivalled purchaser to use. However the customers in the Peugeot 508 on the many blessings of modern assistance systems have to miss out - there remains scope for a model maintenance. Not resolve can be, however, constructive defects on the trunk lid: releases only a very small hatch in the open, and in rainy weather, the wastewater on the luggage can trays.
Opel has filed the arm saver jacket and his appearance blocked; Insignia is now available for Burgerstolz - the look attractive is but bought by high prices. In the equipment line he offers its customers with standard navigation system and a nicely draped Interior sport. But who is sending the finger on exploring, discovered hollow sounding plastic.
The payload of the Opel Insignia fails just as already in previous test car. The sloping roof line forces one when boarding in the rear to the Demutshaltung. Front, however, the premium seats are among the best, what has to offer the middle class. Lateral support does no harm, because the Opel Insignia can be zirkeln race by curves despite deaf steering. The range of adjustable shock absorbers ranges from sporty strength to the good despite 18-incher comfort.
Drive for dynamism does not feel the two liter CDTi in the Opel Insignia. First, he must overcome the weakness of his starting before he clear rumorend to get started and requires on average the most fuel. The best in the test braking and a lush safety equipment are the opposite.
Only one in the test, the Mazda 6 risk a large (rear) flap, which facilitated the loading of the boot. The up to 1,702 liters in volume are unrivalled in the field of four, and in the payload, the hatchback-6 allows no weaknesses. Different using: the many, rather small labeled steering wheel buttons force a learning curve.
Elsewhere, Mazda has heeded the persistent criticism of auto motor und sport and newly adjusted the chassis of the Mazda 6. From one-dimensional hard was well balanced - now almost been too soft with the effect that the delirious 6 on very bad roads and on the highway has a fidgety. Only in curves, the Mazda 6 with an enthusiasm that surprised even tester may crash. Load changes complains the hatchback with a pressing rear. The 2010 tested station wagon was still normal. The urging of the Mazda 6, however, the engine is impressive; with Turbo-ELAN, the 163-HP four cylinder pushes already just over 1,500 rpm and increases the pace playing to over 200 km/h.
For the Crown of its class, wants to challenge the VW Passat and occurs almost fills an Highline. VW offers enticing amenities which are however mostly in the extensive option list, which leaves nothing to be desired. What spoiled eyes irritated: hard plastic up in the visible and tangible area.
The space in the rear of the VW standard lush are Passat. Here, enjoy two travelled oberklass-convenience, enjoy epic width and comfortable seating. Crown, the luggage compartment provides the necessary storage space for extensive journeys. Driving the VW exudes a calm and serenity Passat, which only is basically in the fine car company to good form. Steering and transmission convince with high precision at low operating forces, the cockpit with striking clarity and the optional adaptive chassis in position comfort with a pleasant smoothness.
Although beats the VW Passat hooks such as the Opel Insignia not quite as smart, for this he radiates much more peace in connection with the shock-free steering and the better insulated harshness. He defused reckless driving maneuvers or unexpected moments of bad driver with an exemplary neutral vote and sensitive ESP interventions. Otherwise as in the standard equipment saves VW in the Passat in the active safety, achievements of the upper class as a cruise control with distance control or a track holding Wizard with steering intervention offers the buyers at an additional cost.
Despite its high price, the VW Passat defended his supremacy until the end, occupied the topics more persuasive than the also successful Opel Opel Insignia, which lands two ranked comfort, safety, handling characteristics and especially consumption.
And the French representative, the Peugeot 508? Very close, Peugeot in space, load-carrying capacity and security facilities has calculated. The as as engine and inexact transmission seal the fate: at the end, its cheaper price before the last place not once again saves the Peugeot 508. Although that allows also the Mazda 6 significant weaknesses, he pulls past on third place. Is the Peugeot 508 only the representative appearance.
