Louth Motors: Peugeot 308 SW - Step into the light for conversion

We all used to drive saloons and then the hatchback came along. Then we realised there was great fuel economy in diesel and we ditched petrol as the fuel of choice. After that we had to have a seven seater MPV, remember them? SUVs rolled into town and we had to have an elevated seat position.
Crossovers exploded and you were no one unless you had one.

Then we were all made to feel guilty if we drove a diesel so petrol came back into “fashion” before the must-have form of transport to have on your drive-in had to be electrically propelled.

As a nation 2022 looks like to be the first year when we buy more automatic cars than manual cars. And yet, there is one shape in motoring we have yet to give a spell in the spotlight.

The humble estate. It’s always chosen after the hatchback, MPV, SUV and saloon and currently only 9% of new cars sold here are estates, tourers, tourings, avants, wagons, sport or shooting brakes.
There is such a variety of names used as manufacturers try to differentiate their estate from others which seems mad ted for such a small market.

I regularly get to hook up with fellow motoring journalists and I’ve yet to meet one who doesn’t love them. Nearly always we agree that the estates are the best expression of the new car model being launched.

Take this Peugeot 308 SW – SW being Peugeot's name for the estate. Why has no one come up with a description other than saloon or hatchback? Anyway, the 308 hatchback is a striking and handsome car and a bit of an eyecatcher – especially in that beautiful green colour available. But, parked next to the SW I can’t see how anybody would pick it. The SW is the best expression of the 308 family and looks elegantly sleek and very appealing.

Not only is it better looking, subjective I know, but infinitely more practical. You get a car that can convert to a van to carry your house move or whatever you need for a long road trip.

Or even a day to the beach or a weekend camping. They are so versatile with the litmus test, for me, being can it take two bicycles, whole, for when I head off cycling with my friend? The 308 SW can, so box ticked.

My test model was a 1.5l diesel which would have been the automatic bestseller not too long ago. I’ve been driving so many petrol and electric cars of late I was shocked, not surprised, to find out it was a diesel. It was like meeting an old friend again and taking up exactly where we left off.

It was an 8 speed automatic (of course), had 130bhp available that is ample for day to day driving and lugging just about anything from full occupancy to a full load.

I managed a return of 5.5l/100km on my test. The 308 SW is available as a petrol and PHEV with an all-electric model due soon. The petrol model has the same power and with a modicum of effort you can get excellent fuel returns. The Allure trim stands out as the best all round value.

Peugeot haven’t tried to mess with an already beautiful design for the 308 hatchback and left the front alone. The sides won’t divide or offend but at the back they have found expression for SW individuality with devilishly handsome three slash rear lights, faux dual chrome exhausts and finished off with a reversing/fog light cowl. I’ll stick my neck out here and defy you to find a better looking estate for a) the money and b) any money.

Inside the car is the same as the 308 hatchback and there’s a very good reason – it’s wonderful. Peugeot have really upped their game on interiors and it’s hard to find any fault in terms of looks, feel or quality.

Driving the 308 SW didn’t reveal any drawback from the extra 269mm added in length. In fact I reckon it’s a bit more planted than the hatchback. That diesel was ok but I’m a bit biased to the petrol equivalent as I have that engine in our family car. It’s also quieter.

The PHEV is another, albeit expensive at €43,935, choice, but not if you are a motorway muncher where the diesel followed by the petrol version is probably the better choice. My Allure test car costs €39,080 with the entry Active petrol model costing €32,765.

So despite being a truly compelling package it’s going to be lost on a lot of you looking for a new car in 2023 because, well because, it’s an estate and that’s enough for you to keep moving on looking elsewhere. But you’ll be missing out on what might be the best choice for you.

Here’s something for you. The 308 SW has 88l more of carrying capacity than the 3008, another cracker from Peugeot, but you’ll probably ignore that fact and stick with your conformational bias towards estates to your detriment.

I truly hope that one day the humble and generally much better estate will get its time in the sunshine and this 308 SW is one of the best exponents from whatever the genre is called.