Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Peugeot 308 SW GT 180hp
Pricing: from £25,945
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed EAT6 automatic transmission
Body style: five-door estate
CO2 emissions: 107g/km (VED Band B, £0 first year, £20 annually thereafter)
Combined economy: 68.8mpg
Top speed: 135mph
0-62mph: 8.6 seconds
Power: 180hp at 3,750rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 2,000- to 2,750rpm
What's this?
The 'other' model of Peugeot's 308 GT, this being the diesel engine in the SW; you can't actually get the 205hp petrol engine in the wagon in the UK (it is available elsewhere, though). All diesel GTs get the EAT6 automatic transmission, so the French manufacturer is keen to play up the diesel SW as a more luxurious vehicle, rather than some sort of sub-Volkswagen Golf R Estate, capable of tearing up a mountain pass on the ragged edge.
Like the hatchback GT, the SW has all the same styling themes inside and out to lift it above a well-specified 308 Allure. Strangely, though, Peugeot has now also launched the GT Line cars. These have all the looks of the GT (minus the direction-sweep indicators and front air intakes) and the same cabin, but they possess neither the lowered ride height nor the more powerful engines of the 'proper' GTs. Still, it'll probably irk 308 GT early adopters to see 1.2-litre PureTechs running around in the same trim as their top-of-the-tree motors.
There's one area in which the SW GT is improved over the hatchback version - it has slightly bigger rear brake discs (290mm instead of 268mm) to cope with the car's extra weight. All GTs get 330mm front brake discs.
How does it drive?
The 308 SW GT has the same marvellous blend of a supremely competent ride with fabulous body control as the hatch, but because you're subconsciously telling yourself this is an automatic diesel estate, you subsequently cut the SW GT a bit more slack when it doesn't reveal itself to be a firecracker on a twisting road. Thus, it turns out to be our preferred choice of the new GT line-up; while the petrol hatch doesn't quite stand up to scrutiny when compared to a Volkswagen Golf GTI, the 180hp diesel SW doesn't have to compete with a Golf GTD wagon. Indeed, the most powerful Golf Estate you can have makes just 150hp, meaning more credible rivals for the 308 SW GT would be either the SEAT Leon ST FR or the Skoda Octavia vRS estate fitted with the Volkswagen Group's 184hp diesel.
And, up against those two admittedly excellent cars, we'd still have the Peugeot. It has a better blend of compliance and handling than either the SEAT or Skoda, plus it looks stunning with the GT addenda - just pick a nice, strong colour for it. On launch, Peugeot had the cars finished in the Tricolore hues of red, white and blue, all of which made the SW a real head-turner. Dynamically, it may still lack the final degrees of chassis polish that would have made us rave about the SW GT 180, but it doesn't feel appreciably slower than the manual petrol car and the EAT6 gearbox is acceptably slick in operation, even if it doesn't always respond to your clicking of the steering column-mounted paddles. Overall, it's an impressive showing from the SW.
One final note: in Sport mode, the synthesised noise the 180 makes is almost like that of a five-cylinder petrol engine. It's weird to hear an oil-burner making such a tune; we're sure some people will love it, while others will hate it for the artificiality. The good news is that, in non-Sport mode, the 180hp unit is hushed and beautifully refined, so it works as a day-to-day commuter.
Verdict
When it comes to petrol-powered performance versions of the Peugeot 308, we'd advise people to wait and see what any hotter GTi or R models will be like. But we'd emphatically recommend the diesel estate because there aren't many semi-quick C-segment load-lugger that look and handle as the SW GT 180 does for this sort of price. It's a cracking family wagon that will - just occasionally - allow Dad to pretend he's 21 again.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain