Say hello to…
…the Peugeot 308 SW plug-in hybrid, a good-looking small family estate car. With the growing popularity of SUVs, estate cars are no longer seen as the practical alternative to a regular hatchback. Arguably however, they’re usually more efficient because they’ve got better aerodynamics, the boots are bigger and it’s easier to load the boot because it’s not raised up like an SUV. The lower centre of gravity also has a positive impact on a car’s handling.
Peugeot offers the 308 (including the SW estate) in five trim levels with the PHEV version starting in Allure specification:
- Active Premium
- Allure
- Allure Premium
- GT
- GT Premium
Active Premium equipment includes automatic aircon, heated and power-folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors, 10-inch digital dash, 2x USB sockets, 16-inch alloys, auto headlights and auto wipers.
Allure adds AEB, connected car system, tinted rear windows, front parking sensors, reversing camera, drive modes, ski hatch in rear seats, 17-inch alloys, a rear USB socket, satnav and auto high beam assist.
Allure Premium adds adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and push-button start, blind spot detection, wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
GT further adds a heated multifunction steering wheel, sport pack, uprated upholstery, 18-inch alloys, GT styling and matrix LED headlights.
GT Premium adds lane keeping assist, 360-degree parking camera, powered tailgate, heated and massaging powered front seats and an upgraded stereo.
Is The Peugeot 308 SW Suitable For My Fleet
The very practical and cost-saving nature of a plug-in hybrid estate car, immediately make the 308 SW a great choice for fleets and business drivers. But beyond the basic points the boot is a whopping 548 litres and the space is usefully shaped with a flat load floor and minimal intrustions.
While PHEVs can have varying efficiencies; lots of short journeys will result in a very good mpg (assuming you plug-in at home) and lots of long journeys will have the opposite impact on mpg. However, on a mix run, we saw the car achieve a good 90mpg.
Leasing A Peugeot 308 SW
Gensen Reports records a low maintenance cost for the 308 at £48.37 per month and Class 1A NIC at £27.42. Intelligent Car Leasing offers the 308 SW PHEV in Allure Premium trim for £518 a month on a 3+36 contract on 20,000 miles a year.
Driving A Peugeot 308 SW
Peugeots have a reputation for driving well by offering an appealing combination of comfort and fun and the 308 SW has this down to a tee.
The steering has just the right amount of weight to provide some feedback about what’s going on between the road and the car and this makes the car easy to position on the road and boosts confidence.
The suspension absorbs bumps well and does a good job of insulating the cabin from any noise.
Being a plug-in hybrid means the brakes have to blend the job of regeneration and physically stopping the car. The 308’s system does this very well with no sign of the switchover between the two systems.
Inside the 308 the digital dashboard is clear, although the smaller steering wheel and view of the instruments is an acquired tasted. What’s good is the logic to the main infotainment touchscreen controls which are easy to work out and reasonably responsive.
At a higher level the cabin materials are good and feel of decent quality, but look lower down and cost savings become a little obvious with harder cheaper plastics.
In the rear seats there’s plenty of headroom for adults, but leg room is a bit tight if you’re trying to seat tallish adults in the front too.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Peugeot 308 SW
A stylish and practical estate car with the added company car tax appeal of being a plug-in hybrid.
Peugeot 308 SW
- Model: 308 SW Allure Premium PHEV
- Power: 180hp
- Torque: 360Nm
- Max speed: 139mph
- 0-62mph: 7.7s
- Official battery range: 37 miles
- Official consumption: 213mpg
- Test consumption: 91.0mpg
- CO2 emissions: 25g/km
- BIK tax band 2022/23: 12%