The crossover SUV market is currently one of the largest in the world. Even in Europe, where small cars were the top choice in the past, most car brands are now selling these types of cars like hotcakes.
The all-new 2022 Peugeot 308 SW
Peugeot begs to differ as it currently revealed the 308 SW compact wagon. The Wagon version follows in the footsteps of the recently released third-generation Peugeot 308 back in March, and it is scheduled to hit European dealerships sometime in 2022. This latest version of the French-made estate though isn’t like the plain old wagons of yesteryears. It is filled to the brim tech, and in our eyes, is one of the better-looking cars in its class.
Exterior
Size-wise, the 308 SW is 4,585mm in length, is 1,804mm wide, and 1,471mm tall. With that, it is comparable to other Euro wagons like the Skoda Octavia Combi, the SEAT Sportstourer, and the VW Golf wagon. Compared to the previous 308 SW however, the new one is 59mm longer. That said, it is still small enough for tight city roads, whilst providing ample space for passengers and cargo.
It's an eye-catcher that's for sure
With regards to styling, it borrows much from the other Peugeot 308 variants. It gets the same sloping roofline, and the same matrix LED headlamps, and Peugeot’s signature “three-claw” LED taillights. Moreover, it also gets the same intricately patterned grille, as well as the sharp and angular front bumper and side vents.
Interior
Inside the 308 SW, its five occupants are treated to a spacious interior with leather-clad seats and soft-touch surfaces. Practicality is also a focus of this model as it offers as much as 1,634-liters of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Speaking of the seats, they can assume different configurations via their 40/20/40 split. The driver also gets a 10-way electronically adjustable, ventilated seat with a memory function. One can also instantly fold the rear-most row via controls positioned in the trunk of the car.
That's a lot of usable space
Tech and Safety
As mentioned, the 308 SW is loaded with tech. Chief among these is the new I-Cockpit and I-Connect advanced infotainment system. For the former, it consists of a very configurable 10-inch digital 3D gauge cluster. The I-Connect meanwhile ties together with the 10-inch infotainment screen to provide Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 3D navigation. The said screen is also very customizable, and its interface works very much like a smartphone.
It has two 10-inch screens
In addition to the usual safety kit, the Peugeot-made wagon comes with a host of driver-assist features. Among these is the rear cross-traffic alert, a 180-degree reverse camera, a 360-degree color camera, semi-automatic parking assistance, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, collision warning, driver attention alert, auto high-beams, an electronic parking brake, among others.
Engine and Performance
From launch, the 308 SW gets two plug-in hybrid engine options, one gasoline mill, and one diesel power unit. The two hybrid powertrain can either make a combined output of 178 horsepower, while the other one has a combined output of 222 horsepower. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and both use the 1.2-liter Puretech gasoline engine as their internal combustion component. Of note, the hybrid variants of the 308 SW both come with an electronic range of 60 km.
That 60km EV range is more than enough for short trips to the nearby mall
As for the fossil fuel versions, the gasoline one uses the same 1.2-liter inline-3 found on the hybrid. At most, it can make up to 128 horsepower, or 108 horsepower for the base model. The turbodiesel mill meanwhile utilizes a 1.5-liter engine that can also produce up to 128 horsepower.
For now, the all-new Peugeot 308 SW is solely meant for the European market. Also, there’s the point that wagons aren’t that popular in the Philippines, and it is even considered as a “niche market” in the United States. That said, would you want to see the 308 SW on Philippine roads?
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