Peugeot 308 SW review: what the car critics say
The third-generation 308 SW has petrol, diesel and two plug-in hybrid options
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.
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.
UK price from £26,470; peugeot.co.uk
In pictures: Peugeot 308 SW
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - December 21, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - losing it, pedal to the metal, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Three fun, festive activities to make the magic happen this Christmas Day
Inspire your children to help set the table, stage a pantomime and write thank-you letters this Christmas!
By The Week Junior Published
-
The best books of 2024 to give this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Percival Everett to Rachel Clarke these are the critics' favourite books from 2024
By The Week UK Published
-
Alan Cumming's 6 favorite works with resilient characters
Feature The award-winning stage and screen actor recommends works by Douglas Stuart, Alasdair Gray, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 historical homes in Greek Revival style
Feature Featuring a participant in Azalea Festival Garden Tour in North Carolina and a home listed on the National Register of Historic Places in New York
By The Week Staff Published
-
The best books about money and business
The Week Recommends Featuring works by Michael Morris, Alan Edwards, Andrew Leigh and others.
By The Week UK Published
-
A motorbike ride in the mountains of Vietnam
The Week Recommends The landscapes of Hà Giang are incredibly varied but breathtaking
By The Week UK Published
-
Nightbitch: Amy Adams satire is 'less wild' than it sounds
Talking Point Character of Mother starts turning into a dog in dark comedy
By The Week UK Published
-
Electric Dreams: a 'nerd's nirvana' at Tate Modern
The Week Recommends 'Poignant' show explores 20th-century arts' relationship with technology
By The Week UK Published
-
Joya Chatterji shares her favourite books
The Week Recommends The historian chooses works by Thomas Hardy, George Eliot and Peter Carey
By The Week UK Published
-
Ballet Shoes: 'magnificent' show 'never puts a foot wrong'
The Week Recommends Stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's much-loved children's novel is a Christmas treat
By The Week UK Published