Peugeot 308 SW review (2022) – The lion’s sharpest looking estate

This is the story of a valiant fighter under attack from all sides by SUVs. This tale was to come to an end soon, but fate decided otherwise. The 308 SW, the survivor of a suffering category, was almost cancelled but it resisted. The French station wagon is now in its third generation and not without difficulty. And as was the case for its predecessor, the model has to solve a difficult equation where style and practicality are the main variables. Will it find the unknown that makes the equality true?

Portrait – A sleek silhouette

Stretching a car while maintaining harmonious proportions is no easy task. A trivial concern for the uninitiated, the right stroke of the pen is a huge challenge for designers. The image of a balanced profile appears to be an obsession bordering on the unreasonable. The main objective? To avoid at all costs the dreadful backpack effect that is enough to condemn the career of a model. On the 308 SW, the operation is fortunately closer to success than to failure thanks to an already successful hatchback version. The rear of the car is very stylish with a massive use of sculpted shapes. It is singular and rather pretty although some will see the whole thing as overdrawn. The taillights abandon the black band of the hatchback while the roof line is receding. The rest of the car is identical to the 308 hatchback. There is a very elaborate grille with the new logo. The headlights bring back the fang-shaped daytime running lights. Without deserving a laurel crown, the overall look is particularly dynamic even if some of the details are overstyled.

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In the cabin – The small business class

The 308 was criticised for having cramped rear seats for the category. With 27 cm more length and 6 cm more wheelbase, the 308 SW fortunately offers more space… but not as much as hoped. Travelling in the rear of the estate is certainly more pleasant but the legroom offered is still behind the competition. The middle seat is unsurprisingly to be avoided. The car makes up for this in the front seats, which, although they are not extraordinarily spacious, have a dashboard that is unique in the category and is made of carefully selected materials and assemblies. The seats are comfortable with a heated and massaging function. The 3D i-Cockpit is still in place and proves to be quite readable in our case without having to make too many concessions in terms of driving position. The 10-inch touch screen is more responsive and functional than the old PSA system. It also has virtual i-Toggles, which makes it more practical to use than in the past, without being a model of ergonomics. We regret the small amount of glass and the rather invasive dashboard, which gives an impression of confinement, despite the presence of the optional sunroof. That said, the atmosphere of the estate car is in line with that of the hatchback. The interior plays the techno card with well-chosen, plush materials. The most important thing about the boot is that it is slightly smaller than the previous generation with 608 litres (548 litres in hybrid). The layout is classic with a 40/20/40 folding bench seat giving a flat floor. The loading sill is low, the opening is wide and the motorized boot lid is standard on the GT Pack version.

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On the road – No surprises to be expected

Despite being 53kg heavier than the hatchback, the estate reiterates the good manners cultivated by the 308 on the road. Even if it seems artificial from time to time, the steering reveals a well calculated consistency while the front end remains alert whatever the situation. It’s only when attacking hard that you can detect the beginnings of any understeer, something that any ordinary driver would be wary of doing. Generally speaking, the chassis of the 308 SW remains extremely stable even if it is not as sharp as on the previous generation. The comfort is better, with a slightly softer ride that allows to better digest irregularities at low speed. In addition, the 225 PS hybrid powertrain provides good performance and ensures smooth driving in urban environments. The car is easy to handle with a light steering and a tight turning circle. On the motorway, the French car makes the most of its good soundproofing but is hampered by its limited fuel tank capability, which means it has to refuel frequently. Fortunately, fuel consumption is very good, with an average of 5.6l/100km and an electric range of 38km.

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Competition

The 308 is in the high end of the segment in terms of price. There is therefore no reason why the estate should be an exception to the rule. Priced from €26,700, which is €1,000 more than the hatchback, the 308 SW already offers more than the basics in the Active Pack trim. However, the overall look is a bit of a stain, with 16-inch wheel trims, more simplistic headlights and raw plastic body parts. On the other hand, our GT Pack version combined with the 225 PS plug-in hybrid engine claims a minimum of €47,150 and even reaches €50,660 with the addition of some options. That’s a lot, especially when you consider what the competition is offering. A Seat Leon Sportstourer FR (204 PS, €41,030) is certainly less luxurious, but it is also much cheaper. Skoda’s Octavia Combi RS (245 PS, €45,790) is also more affordable, more comfortable and – much – more spacious. The technical cousin Opel Astra Sports Tourer has not yet revealed its price, but it should also beat the Sochalian by a few hundred euros.

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Conclusion

The 308 SW has succeeded in placing itself halfway between the mainstream segment and the premium market. Its elaborate design, both on the outside and the inside, allows it to stand out from the competition by playing on its posh tones. The technological content is also part of the game and the station wagon remains great on the road. In terms of style and practicality, the car amply fulfills its contract. However, the whole thing logically pushes the price up and propels the 308 SW into the upper echelons of the category. For these prices, you can actually look at models that are bigger, more powerful and with similar equipment. This is also a big deal…

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Strengths

• Sharp styling
• Comfy ride
• Good fuel economy

Weaknesses

• Quite costly
• Limited cabin roominess
• Awkward ergonomics

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Verdict : 14,2/20

I would like to thank Peugeot France for lending me the vehicle, otherwise this review would not have been possible.