| A Week at the Wheel | Cambs, England | Peugeot 308 SW Sport HDi 136 |
Inside & Out:
The Peugeot 308's looks can best be described as divisive. Abandoning the simplistic prettiness of cars like the 205 and 306, Peugeot has forged ahead with its own design language, much of which centres around the front end of the car. Following on from its concept cars, Peugeot's bread and butter models now feature heavily sculpted noses with the "08" generation cars taking this on a step further. There's no doubt that the result is individual and easily identifiable in a line-up.
However, you could argue that Peugeot has overshot the mark and the styling now looks perhaps too contrived. See a 306 today and it still looks pretty and well proportioned. One can't help but feel that in a few years time age will take more of a toll on the modernistic 308. Harder to argue against is the success of the interior. A full-length glass roof on this particular test car poured light into what is surely Peugeot's best ever effort at a family car interior; quality, space and user friendliness abound. The SW version has a huge loading space for carrying luggage or for the addition of optional occasional seats.
It's a truly practical family car with the inclusion of many subtle child friendly features that will mark it out from the competition. Vents in the rear of the armrest pump air from the excellent climate control system directly to rear occupants (something not to be taken for granted in rivals) and rear blinds and ISOFIX fittings further add to creating a more comfortable environment for transporting children and adults alike, but perhaps with more focus on the little people.
Engine & Transmission:
A diesel engine is almost the default choice for any model bar the overtly sporting nowadays. The benefits of economy, tax and relaxed driving style are simply too hard to resist in cars like these and when you have the track record of diesel technology that Peugeot has then there is even less of a trade off to consider. Latest generation units such as this 2.0-litre four-cylinder are genuinely pleasing company in family wagons such as the 308 SW. Our test car was fitted with the 136bhp version, backed up with 240lb.ft at a customarily low 2,000rpm,. It drives through a slick shifting six speed 'box, endowing it with more than enough pace for most needs and a refined long legged nature. Cruising is a hushed affair and a 45mpg average is easily obtainable; more if you cater your driving style and stick to longer journeys.
Ride & Handling:
Traditionally the ace in Peugeot's hand, there is some evidence that the chassis development has been neglected slightly, as focus has been put into other areas that required more urgent investment. That's not to say the 308 is inadequate; it drives nicely and works well on most road surfaces. However, it lacks the verve one may expect from the brand and certainly falls short of the brio and alacrity of cars such as the 306, a car whose modern day equivalent many would say wears a Ford badge.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
This is the category where the 308 marks the biggest advance for Peugeot. Quality levels in the 308 embarrass
the 307, and the range of equipment, fit, finish and materials give a much increased value for money quotient compared to its forebear and also stack up favourably with rivals. In terms of running costs, the miserly consumption of the HDi, and the resultant low CO
2 figure of 155g/km, mean minimum expenditure for family travel. Sensible service schedules and costs further add to the 308's merits.
Overall:
It's in this family orientated form that the Peugeot 308 makes the most sense. It fits this role much more comfortably than the sporting; there is an inherent rightness about the way it feels, drives and goes about its business. Overall, the step change in quality is the most impressive aspect and will surely reap rewards in terms of sales - the Peugeot now represents real value for money in most aspects. Whilst the 308 falls short of class honours it is a much better car than the 307 ever was.