Peugeot 308 SW review: what the car critics say

Sensible but not devoid of fun, the third-generation Peugeot 308 SW is available as a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel, both with 129bhp, said What Car?. And for the first time there are two plug-in hybrid options: either 178bhp or 222bhp. An all-electric version, the e-308 SW, is expected next year. All 308 SWs have an eight-speed automatic gearbox that you can override using paddles on the steering wheel.

A very respectable all-rounder and a terrific cruiser, the 308 SW has decent grip and smooth ride quality, said The Daily Telegraph. It smothers small bumps on the road and stays composed over larger ones, with good body control. The tyres, however, are noisy at all speeds, and steering is slow, and feels unnaturally heavy in Sport mode. The gearbox works well, shifting quickly to find the right ratio for the job.

A handsome, comfortable estate, the car is 6cm longer than before, giving an impressive 608-litre boot (or up to 1,634 litres with the rear seats folded; 548 litres/1,574 litres in the hybrid), said Top Gear Magazine. Peugeot’s i-Cockpit with compact steering wheel and crystal clear ten-inch touchscreen can take a bit of getting used to, but it’s worth the effort. Passenger space in the rear is a bit disappointing, though.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

UK price from £26,470; peugeot.co.uk

In pictures: Peugeot 308 SW