Insurance Group: 12
MPG: 62.8
CO2: 119
0-62 Mph: 13.2 secs
BHP: 92 BHP
Range: 829 miles
PROS: The SR HDi has a very economical diesel engine and low running costs. It also feels well made and is competitively priced.
CONS: Not the fastest model in the range
The 308 SW SR 1.6 HDi is fitted with a 1.6-litre diesel engine which develops a miserable 92bhp and 170lb-ft of torque. It feels a little underpowered for this car, managing to haul the 308 SW to 62mph in a pedestrian 13.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 110mph. The more powerful 112bhp diesel engine is a much better bet: it offers the same impressive fuel economy as this engine but feels much more lively.
The ride is poor thanks to firm suspension and the 308 SW also suffers from numb handling.
The thick D-pillars obstruct rear visibility - you'll be doing a lot of blind-spot checking on the motorway - and the steering wheel and pedals are offset to the left, making the driving experience feel very strange.
The Peugeot 308 SW 1.6 HDi looks great. For an estate car, it is very attractive and well-proportioned and much better looking than the standard 308 on which it was based.
The interior has a quality feel and is very stylish. Standard kit includes alloy wheels, electric windows, air conditioning, CD player, Bluetooth and sat-nav. Strangely, MP3 connectivity is not offered, even as an option, and metallic paint will set you back £440.
The standard 308 received the full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests and the 308 SW should prove to be just as safe. There is an impressive array of airbags fitted as standard.
There is also plenty of interior space. The rear legroom is a bit tight but there is an enormous 348-litres of boot space on offer with the rear seats up and a very impressive 2149-litres with the seats folded down.
Peugeot have an iffy reputation for reliability and the standard 308 came very low down in the 2011 J D Power Survey, with owners reporting a number of problems with the engine and the interior.
The 308 SW SR HDi is competitively priced at £18,345 and bosts very low running costs. You should average over 62mpg and low CO2 emissions of 119g/km mean that the 308 SW falls under low-cost road tax band C. Group 12 insurance is also very reasonable for a car of this size.
However, the 308 SW will suffer from very steep depreciation, a fact that potential buyers may want to consider before parting with their cash.
The 308 SW is a very good estate car for those on a tight budget. It offers an attractive package thanks to an impressive amount of interior space, however there are better cars around for the cash.
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