Used Peugeot 308 SW 2013-present review

Peugeot has for many years dipped its toes rather successfully into the small hatchback market, with cars such as the 205 and 306 winning universal praise. It’s also amassed quite a good reputation for producing estate cars, too, rugged and practical loadluggers that ably satisfy the needs of even the most demanding of families.

The 308 hatchback also found favour, despite the great rise of the SUV as the family motor of choice, and it came as no surprise that after the 2013 refresh of the 308 design the firm soon launched an estate version of the car. The 308 SW is longer between the front and rear wheels and has a larger rear end, housing a traditional estate opening and an increased boot area, which offers a better than decent 1660 litres of space with the rear seats folded down.

On top of that, the seats fold at the tug of a lever in a 60/40 split, and the floor is usefully flat with them down thanks to its automatically lowering seat cushions, and as well as that the boot sill is pleasingly low. There’s also a fraction more knee room for rear seat passengers than there is in the hatchback, although it’s still not exactly spacious.

There’s a good range of engines on offer, too. Petrol engines range from an 81bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder with 108bhp and 128bhp versions of the 1.2-litre turbo triples making up the rest of the petrol range. Diesels include 1.6-litre units of 99bhp and 118bhp, while the range is completed with a pair of 2.0-litre HDis, producing 148bhp and 178bhp respectively.

On the equipment front, there are five trims to choose from, with the entry-level Access models coming as standard with air-con, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and cruise control. Active gets you 16in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate zone and Peugeot's 9.7in touchscreen infotainment system complete with sat-nav, while upgrading to Allure adds 17in alloy wheels, front foglights, LED headlights, folding door mirrors and front parking sensors.

The range-topping GT trims add numerous luxuries, with the GT-Line equipping the 308 SW with 18in alloys wheels, privacy glass, LED foglights and a reversing camera, while the GT model gains a beefy bodykit, lowered ride height and keyless entry and start.

On the road, all the engine options make the 308 SW feel sprightly, especially the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrols in either 109bhp or 129bhp versions, which probably strike the best compromise between performance and economy.

It takes corners pretty well, too, with accurate steering and tidy handling, and it has plenty of grip, should you be going very hard. It rides well, although it can occasionally feel a little lumpy over broken surfaces, and a little fidgety on motorways. That said, the general refinement of this car is pretty good, as is the overall comfort level.

The interior is well designed, with a good driving position, at least for some, and some pleasing materials. Its most striking feature is the small, low-set steering wheel and the instrument binnacle that levitates above it, this layout is more successful here than the same arrangement in some of the other Peugeot models. A 9.7in infotainment touchscreen is standard on most models, which looks good and works well but having some of the major functions, for example the climate control, on the screen can make it a bit fiddly in everyday use.

Overall, though, the 308 SW is a competent and useful car with a likeable quality. Its major problem is merely the strength of its opposition, with admirable cars such as the VW Golf Estate and the Skoda Octavia Estate vying for your attention on the used car forecourts.

Find a used Peugeot 308 SW in the What Car? Classifieds here

High mileage examples of the 308 SW can be had for under £6000, but we’d suggest you spend between £7000 and £9000 and track down a 2014 car with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, bought from an independent dealer. Up the folding stuff to between £10,000 and £12,000 and you’ll find good 2015 and 2016 cars with the same criteria satisfied.

Unsurprisingly, the diesel-engined 308 SWs are the most economical. Choose the 1.6 BlueHDi 120 engine in Active trim and the claimed average fuel consumption is a staggering 88.3mpg. Opt for Allure trim and it’s 85.6mpg, with other diesel variants all recording figures in the 70mpg ranges.

On the petrol side, the 1.2 Puretech 110 in Active trim returns an excellent claimed average of 67.3mpg, with other petrols recording figures in the 60mpgs.

Peugeot operates a bespoke servicing plan for used cars that can be tailor-made around you and your car. The most commonly used one for the 308 SW comprises a monthly payment, currently £19.68, that covers the car for its service interval of 16,000 miles or one year, whichever occurs first.

Insurance groups range from 14 for the lowest petrols up to 27 for the top-spec 2.0 diesel, with most hovering around the 17 to 23 range.

With plenty of punch and reasonable economy, the smooth and willing 1.2-litre three-cylinder 110 petrol engine would be the one we’d go for, and we’d also try to seek out Active trim, which has most of what you need and at least some of what you’d want, all at a good price.

Our favourite Peugeot 308 SW: 1.2 Puretech 110 Active

The Volkswagen Golf Estate has a large boot and a supple ride, as well as a well-built, high-quality interior. It’s good to drive and most will find it a very pleasing car to own, just like its hatchback sibling.

The Skoda Octavia Estate has an absolutely huge load space, as well as lots of standard equipment and some great-value options, which may have been added to the car you’ll find. As with the Golf, it’s good to drive and there’s a range of excellent engines that combine performance with efficiency.

Find a used Peugeot 308 SW in the What Car? Classifieds here

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