Test 308 SW PureTech petrol engine 110: Should you buy the station wagon at the first price?

Very successful in its 180 hp plug-in hybrid and 130 hp diesel versions, the Peugeot 308 SW remains fully recommended in its basic configuration with the weakest petrol engine (110 hp) and in the version (Allure Pack). Enough space, comfort, a minimum of joy at the wheel, the right equipment, an optional engine and low consumption at a moderate price. Which quite simply begs the question: why spend more?

Simple, but not simplistic

Extended by 27 cm or a total of 4.64 m compared to the 5-door, the “Made in Mulhouse” mover offers the same petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid variants as this one. And you don’t have to take out the €46,450 requested for the Hybrid 225 version, the entry-level PureTech petrol engine with 110 hp already offers a lot. Of course, whoever says first prize says limited choice, and this engine is only offered in Active Pack guise, the least sexy of the range. He is content with simplified front claws, a grille without chrome inserts, ignores the dark-tinted side and rear windows and is content with 16-inch rims. And that doesn’t stop the Lioness from exaggerating the style impact, like the spoiler that adorns the bezel. Same topo on board where Some will even be happy to find actual knobs to control the air conditioning rather than the i-Toggles, those tactile shortcuts that are present from the second level of finish, Allure. The atmosphere is cultivated and if the inevitable i-Cockpit isn’t the panacea for all drivers, the 308 station wagon faces the road in pristine condition.

On the Allure Pack version we are entitled to real controls for the air conditioning, a good point for ergonomics!© Peugeot

silence on board

However, the 110 hp 3-cylinder is only offered with a six-speed manual transmission. It hangs a little and its order is placed a little high. in the

Exchange allows to get the best out of the small 1.2L, which thanks to its turbo is beefier than it seems. We want it to be more responsive below 1,500 rpm and less affected by engine surge around town. But he’s totally into his business on the road and highway, where he impresses with his discretion and availability, knowing that a downshift into 5th gear is enough to overtake safely. The long gear ratio of the 6th has the advantage of being easy on the ears and on the wallet at 130 km/h, because this 308 SW is content with 6.5 l/100 km at this speed… less than some plugs -in hybrid, such as the Renault Mégane Estate E-Tech (7.3L). On average, the Peugeot station wagon needs only 6.5 l. With a reasonable weight (1,330 kg) and careful aerodynamics, for example, it doesn’t take a tech frenzy to save fuel.

Comfort above all

When driving, it is the driving comfort that pleases immediately. The 308 SW is content with 16 inches and a fairly high sidewall and filters out road errors better. Even alone on board, this Peugeot proves to be a surprisingly comfortable driver, not giving it a bouncing rear axle because it carries the load more firmly. This station wagon is very pleasant to drive, the small steering wheel adds to the liveliness. Even if agility takes a back seat to balance, even more so than in the sedan. But no one will blame this 308 for exploiting its size to offer a cargo space worthy of the 380 dm³ name. And if you’re not entitled to the lifting trunk floor (offered by Allure), there are pull-tabs to recline the 40/20/40 seatbacks, as is the luggage cover that rolls up with a flick of the wrist. Owners of the previous 308 SW will reply that they had a bigger trunk (425 dm³) and more generous rear seats with at least 3 cm more room for the passengers’ legs. That doesn’t prevent this new generation from showing a nice homogeneity in this PureTech 110 variant that sells for €27,400, while the PureTech 130, with a quieter engine in the city but absolutely hardly more efficient, asks €1,520. more (€28,920).