The 308 has been so well-received that it’s already been made European Car of the Year for 2014. Now, its sibling, the estate or SW as it’s technically known, moves the game on even further by adding more practicality to an already-successful model line-up. Peugeot’s heritage in C-segment estate cars can be traced back to 1969 with the 304 estate. Back then, the maker made its cars with French flair, but these days, it’s a more subtle styling. It remains chic, thanks to coupe-esque cues but there’s also a grown-up feel with Germanic swash lines running the length of the car. Rivals include the VW Golf estate, the Ford Focus estate and Vauxhall Astra estate. Performance 4/5 On test we had the 308 SW powered by a new three-cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech turbo engine producing 130bhp. PureTech is a new engine line-up from Peugeot promoting better fuel economy and greener driving through lowering CO2 emissions. Some ‘green’ engines feel underpowered, with the frugal engine detracting from the overall goodness of the car. But not in this car - the 1.2-litre unit has the same power as the standard 1.6-litre engine and it feels it too. Right through the six-speed ‘box, the engine is punchy and there’s more than enough power in every gear. Ride and Handling 4/5 Offering more personality on the road is what the boffins promised at the car’s launch and they were true to their word. The weight reduction from this iteration when comparing to its predecessor is huge; in fact, it’s around two people weighing 10 stone each. The 308 SW is just as good as the hatch, whether on motorways or single lane carriageways. It’s fun to drive too, with spot-on steering and weighting which is very close to perfect. But, the Ford Focus is a tad better on the twisty stuff. On the upside, the 308 SW has strong refinement and a supple ride, making long journeys a breeze – an important factor when considering a loadlugger. Interior 4.5/5 The cabin of the 308 SW mirrors that of the hatch And the so-called i-cockpit is a trendy way of sprucing up the interior by offering cool new tech and minimalism. The SW’s interior comprises of four key elements: a compact steering wheel designed to give the driver a dynamic experience, a raised instrument panel, a tall centre console and a 9.7-inch touch-screen operating the air-conditioning, driving assistance systems, multimedia, navigation, telephone and vehicle settings. From a practical point of view, the 308 SW is superb when it comes to swallowing sports kit and luggage. With the seats in place, the 308 SW has an impressive load space of 660 litres, 70 litres of that is underfloor storage. Fold the seats flat and this load room expands to 1,660 litres. Compare the Peugeot to the VW Golf and you’ll find that the latter has a smaller boot with the seats in place – it only offers 605 litres of space and holds 40 litres less volume with the seats folded. Those looking to expand the load space will be pleased to know that the process is child’s play. Levers are located on each side of the rear bench - pull and the seat folds - simples. Costs 4/5 On average this three-cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech turbo engine producing 130bhp will return 60.1mpg and emits 114g/km of CO2. That’s not bad, but if you’re after an engine that is going to see you spend less time on petrol forecourts then our advice is to opt for the BlueHDi 1.6-litre 120bhp diesel. When mated to a six-speed manual gearbox it averages a heady 88.3mpg and emits 85g/km CO2. Verdict 4.5/5 All-in-all, the French maker has upped its game. The interior oozes qualities that Peugeot has never offered before while on a practical sense, the load space and running costs make a lot of sense. Not only has the hatch got a gong, but this car, its larger sibling estate is a proven winner. On test, this is up there with the best of the loadluggers.
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