Peugeot 308 SW | Test Drive | Auto Class Magazine

Peugeot 308 SW | Test Drive

Words Matteo Lavazza / Photos Gian Romero

It’s a good time to buy a car to use for your daily commutes. Think of 10/15 years ago and the fact that putting a respectable car in the garage implied a price tag certainly not affordable for all pockets. The so-called generalist brands did their dirty work – of course – but they were afflicted by limits that marked an apparently unbridgeable gap with the classic and more famous makers. The music has changed, in some cases slowly, in others more abruptly. Peugeot’s metamorphosis is a prime example of this.

The new 308, available both as a five-door sedan and a wagon, stops playing the role of a generalist utility vehicle and aims high, very high. It does so with a renewed design which, regardless of the spec, does not hide a markedly sporty nature, the result of ribs and a strong refinement lavished especially in the front lights area. Where dimensions are rightly maintained such as to make it continue to be a medium-sized family car, the 308 SW sports a rather broad list also as far as the engines concern, presenting a 100% petrol one, Plug-In Hybrid variants with two power steps (181 and 224 bhp) and a diesel engine, a 131 bhp 1.5. The one of our test is the 181 horsepower 1.6 Plug-In, equipped with GT Pack and immediately capable of catching my attention thanks to a build quality that I would never have imagined finding on a “simple” Peugeot 308.

The white of the bodywork does nothing but emphasize the character of the beefy lines of the new 308, which culminate in a rear area with a generous spoiler above the crystal and the two large chrome-plated exhaust tips, the huge 18″ rims make the rest and fill the wheel arches well, for a glance that convinces from all sides. Yep, remember that we are talking about a car that at least in theory should still be considered some sort of everyday object, right? Turning instead to the mechanical compartment we find a 1.6 turbo-petrol engine combined with a powerful electric motor, capable of traveling up to 60 km with zero emissions and regenerating when braking, or using Brake Mode on the most marked descents. The 308 SW Hybrid has three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric and Sport, where the first takes full advantage of the collaboration of the electric unit with the internal combustion one, the second excludes the thermal in favor of the electric one and the third accentuates driving feedback, grounding a total maximum power of 181 horsepower and 360 Nm to the front wheels.

It must be said that the 308 SW does not forget that it is a wagon mainly aimed at families who need practicality, usability and space on board, but the stiffness of the set-up (especially in Sport) is a plus that allows you to have fun while cornering if the situation offers the possibility. The less performance-inclined motorists could criticize its stiffness on bumpy roads, but better taking into consideration that such a responsive chassis also translates into a better on road safety and effectiveness. The cabin does not differ much from what was seen on most recent Peugeots, with the “love it or hate it” 3D display and a large touch screen positioned in the center of the dash, utterly precise and equipped with shortcuts to the main menus and – fortunately – of physical climate controls buttons. The mixed leather seats are really comfortable and boast heating and a multitude of massage options, a way like any other to make long journeys less tiring and improve daily life, perhaps in city traffic.

No gear lever for the 8-speed automatic that we know well and have appreciated since its first introduction in the family, but a small selector literally sunk into the central tunnel. It should be specified that in 90% of cases you will let the transmission work on its own, even in Sport mode. The other thing that remains small is the steering wheel, an aspect that continues to divide admirers and detractors: regardless of personal preferences, something peculiar that requires only a bit of practice. As mentioned, the new 308 SW has a very broad list, with prices starting at €29,520 for the 1.2 131-hp 3-cylinder petrol engine, passing through the various Active, Allure and GT trim levels. We then go up to at least €35,370 for the only diesel engine, while €42,450 are needed for the 181-hp 4-cylinder Plug-In Hybrid, with a maximum starting cost of €47,350 for the top of the range 224-hp PHEV. The one of our test, a 181 horsepower 1.6 finished with GT Pack costs around €45,850. Important figures that are however fully justified by a car of a much higher category than the model it replaces, as well as capable of offering a high-level experience to a much wider audience than before. And if you object that the price compared to the same model of 15 years ago has substantially doubled, I confirm that you remember the French lion’s price list well, but keep in mind that its new identity is really a completely different story. Today the lion knows how to road.