8 February 2011
With Peugeot's semi-premium brand positioning in New Zealand, the average Kiwi family might easily assume the new 308 SW HDI (wagon, diesel) - like a lot of Euros - is probably too pricey for their consideration.
Which is a shame, as there's much more than just a badge on offer, including a pretty reasonable $45,190 price tag.
At 4.5 metres in length, the SW adds 100mm to the wheelbase, 124mm in rear overhang and looks like a full-sized family wagon, worthy of 'primary' vehicle prominence. Arguably the 308 works best with the additional wagon linage, the longer, tapering glasshouse and roofline adding a newfound sleekness to the conventional 308 profile.
Under the bonnet resides the superb 2.0 litre, 100kW turbo diesel donk we've already heaped with praise in several other Peugeot or PSA affiliated (Peugeot/Citroen/Ford) applications.
But the best features are on the inside.
From B-pillar forward there is a harmony with the hatchback variants of the 308. The soft-touch plastics, spacious cockpit, comfortable seating and those aeronautical-inspired tray tables on the front seatbacks are all carried over.
But there's a bit of extra legroom afforded to rear occupants, thanks to the stretched wheelbase and seat bases that are individually adjustable forward and aft. Airbus A320 designers, take note.
The Piéce de Résistance is that the three rear seats not only flip forward to individualise your occupant/luggage space split, but they can also be removed completely, or repositioned to create a roomy four-seater. Handily, the seatbelts are incorporated into the modular seats and - via a wireless transmitter - they can alert the driver of any passenger's who have forgotten to make it click.
We have seen this versatility before in Skoda's excellent, but controversially-styled Roomster, whose practicality won us over. The 308 SW benefits from comparable usefulness, but its more orthodox aesthetics should appeal to a broader audience.
Additionally sixth and seventh seats can be fitted in as a third row with the same 'clip in, clip out' convenience.
But as is often the case with seven-seaters, expect minimal, 'kiddies only' space. Unlike other seven-seaters however, the extra row is optional.
So if you won't need them, you don't need to pay ($2450) for them either.
Talking about options, those who want to upspec can. An $800 'Prestige pack' adds larger 17" alloys and electrically folding mirrors, a further $3700 gets leather upholstery, smarter chrome interior accents and a perfumed deodoriser.
But by this stage the 308's moving closer to that magic $50k mark, a psychological barrier as much as a financial one - and one the well-equipped standard car does well to distance itself from.
The base car already feels quite special with its huge panoramic glass roof. Quite the conversation piece with friends and the kids will love you for it.
Should things get too bright the retractable electric blind will block out the sun at the press of a button. There's also dual zone climate control, MP3 compatible 6-disc CD player and plenty of useful storage cubbies.
Safety features include Stability Control, seven airbags and rear park assistance as standard, so little wonder independent European crash test authority, NCAP, awarded five out of five stars for the 308's crash safety.
Performance from the 2.0 HDi power unit isn't exactly whiplash material, nor is handling super sharp, but as a family cruiser the 308 holds its own. There's a good level of torque (320Nm @ 2000 rpm, 340Nm during hard acceleration) and new 308 HDi transmission shift protocols seem to have made a difference to around town drivability.
The longer wheel base also helps iron out creases at open road speed.
A European vehicle with strong and frugal diesel power, premium-level specification and class-leading practicality, the 308 SW sounds too good to be true, thankfully the standout of the 308 range also exhibits surprisingly good value for money.