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Peugeot 308 SW review

The Peugeot 308 SW is as if the estate car has had a glow-up – we think it's one of the best-looking compact estates out there, with slick styling, impressive tech and a well-sized boot. But you do have to make some small trade-offs, so is it still worth it? Read our road-tested Peugeot 308 SW review.

Craig Hale

By Craig HaleUpdated on 31 July 2025

Pros

  • Huge boot
  • Premium-feeling cabin
  • Interesting multi-display setup

Cons

  • Rear legroom is cramped
  • i-Cockpit design won't suit everyone
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Interior

Our rating: 8/10

Driving position

Let's address the elephant in the room – Peugeot's i-Cockpit design has caused a big divide since it launched well over a decade ago in the 208 supermini, and while it's seen some significant upgrades over the years, it's still a contentious topic.

In some larger cars, like the 3008 and 5008, the i-Cockpit works very well, but due to the 308's more compact size, it becomes harder to find a comfortable position where you can position the steering wheel low enough to look over – not through it. This is harder to achieve if you prefer to position your seat low, too.

In terms of seat comfort, you get all the right support in all the right places. The rest of the cabin is also laid out logically, with an interesting design and high-quality, soft-touch materials.

Rearward visibility through the estate's boot is as you'd expect, with the C-pillars presenting slightly bigger blind spots than the hatchback, but it's never enough to become an issue.

Tech and features

Peugeot has been onto a winner with its multi-level dashboards lately, and the 308 gets an effective implementation of this design with a three-layer setup.

Most of the car's controls are accessed via the wide 10-inch infotainment system. It's easy to use and is packed with features, but some other systems are quicker to respond such as those in the VW Golf or Ford Focus.

With standard-fit wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though, that's not a problem.

Underneath the main screen is a narrower touchscreen area with space for five shortcut keys that you can configure – they can be shortcuts to areas of the infotainment system like climate control, or they can be more specific actions like playing a specific radio station.

There are also some physical toggles beneath this with even more shortcuts via the infotainment system.

It's a shame that there are so many ways to access the climate control via shortcuts, yet there are no physical climate controls – it's all done via the touchscreen.

Sometimes it's just easier to have a physical dial to make quick adjustments.

Other standard tech includes a secondary 10-inch display for the digital instrument cluster and a 180-degree reversing camera, but our GT-spec test car had the upgraded 360-degree parking camera pack, which is a worthwhile upgrade.

At £640, it includes adaptive cruise control and other parking and anti-collision aids, so it's a fair price to pay for that added safety.

Performance

Our rating: 7/10

Engines and power

The 308 is in a really interesting position in the market, because it's one of the only Peugeots and one of the few family hatchbacks/estates in general that still offers a diesel option.

It's a 130hp 1.5-litre engine with a smooth eight-speed automatic, which is popular with company car drivers and other corporate buyers, such as the police.

The reality is that most general buyers have turned their backs on diesel, and that's where the highly impressive 1.2-litre mild hybrid steps in.

Earlier models were badged 136hp, while a change to the calculation system saw that change to 145hp. The key to remember is that there was never a power upgrade, and both mild hybrids have the same amount of power; it's simply a change to how Peugeot calculated the split between petrol and electric.

You can also get a plug-in hybrid variant with up to nearly 50 miles of electric-only range if you go for the newer 195hp system with a 17.2kWh battery pack. Earlier models had a lower 180hp output from a slightly less powerful electric motor, plus a smaller battery for less electric range.

Plain petrol and manual versions of the 308 SW are no longer available new, which means all versions are automatics and electrified.

Peugeot sells a slightly separate all-electric version, badged e-308 SW, but we've reviewed that separately.

Handling and ride comfort

We loved driving the mild hybrid 308 SW both around town and on longer motorway trips to the airport, thanks to its refined and well-balanced ride quality.

The cabin insulation stands out, as does the accurate steering, which makes this compact estate feel fun to drive.

You'll notice it's longer in length compared with the hatchback variant when you're turning sharp corners around town, but you shouldn't have to think any differently about driving this estate in reality.

Practicality

Our rating: 7/10

Boot space

This is a story of two tales, but let's start with the good. The 608-litre boot is 196 litres more than you get in the hatchback model.

If those figures don't mean anything to you, imagine adding the boot of a Fiat 500 to the boot of a Peugeot 308 hatchback, and you have the 308 SW (estate).

Because of the way it's shaped, it's really easy to slide items into the back.

Note that plug-in hybrid models have a smaller 548-litre space (as do electric variants) to leave room for the batteries, but that mostly affects under-floor storage, so you won't notice a huge difference.

Rear seats

Now onto the bad – there's a reason that boot's so big, and you'll see that when you try to sit in the back seats.

This has always been a trait of the 308, and it's a shame the trend carries on, but rear-seat space is definitely on the tighter side.

Children will be fine, but even normal-height adults will struggle with legroom in the back. This is compounded when the front-seat occupants sit low, because foot room isn't great either.

Storage solutions

There are numerous compartments around the cabin to keep loose odds and ends from rattling about.

Up front, there's a pair of cupholders under a sliding cover and a wireless phone charging pad (when equipped) under the screen.

Further back, there's a catch-all storage cubby (ideal for coins and keys) and a split-opening armrest.

In the rear, there's a comfortable central armrest with two cupholders and another long storage area – ideal for your meal deal cutlery (or more practically, propping up your phone or tablet when you're watching something on a road trip).

Both rows of seating also have access to USB-C ports, too.

Safety

You get all the usual standard safety kit, but they've been updated over the years. For example, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that we're already familiar with is now better at detecting pedestrians and cyclists at night.

The 308 got a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2022, and this covers the SW estate model.

That's the same rating as the mechanically similar Vauxhall Astra, but the Volkswagen Golf (also available as an estate) did better with a five-star safety rating.

Running costs

Our rating: 7/10

Fuel economy

Peugeot claims around 50-60mpg for the diesel, and a slightly broader range of 48-62mpg for the mild hybrid. We spent a week with the mild hybrid and averaged mid-50s, which is pretty much bang on.

The small electric motor really helps improve efficiency around town, where the petrol engine can completely shut down to save fuel.

Reliability

We have no reason to believe 308 SW owners will have any major issues given how many the brand has sold, from current and previous generations, to the public, businesses and even the police.

Because it has the backing of Stellantis (parent company of Vauxhall, Citroën and more), you know everything is tried-and-tested.

The verdict

Interior

8/10

Performance

7/10

Practicality

7/10

Running costs

7/10

The Peugeot 308 SW is a genuinely handsome car in a sea of pretty standard compact estates. It's clear that both form and function have had plenty of attention to detail, and it feels plenty premium enough to pass as a more expensive car.

Boot space is great, but rear-seat space does take a hit. Still, if you're willing to overlook that in favour of its impressive hybrid tech and composed ride, then the 308 SW should definitely make your shortlist.

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