2026 Peugeot 308 SW Specs, Review, Performance

2026 Peugeot 308 SW Specs, Review, Performance – Estate cars like the 2026 Peugeot 308 SW, a classic mainstay of the Peugeot portfolio, are notably more angular and eye-catching than its predecessor. Its inside is also very opulent, outperforming some of its more costly rivals. The 308 SW also distinguishes itself from some of its rivals by providing a variety of powertrain alternatives, such as electric and plug-in hybrid versions appropriate for work cars, in order to keep Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) costs low.

Despite having less rear capacity than some of its rivals, the 308 SW is generally more comfortable than the Ford Focus Estate, just like its hatchback sister. Additionally, the eight-speed automatic transmission that comes with the gasoline and diesel versions isn’t very smooth. The main justification for choosing this type of car is that some estates, such as the Skoda Octavia Estate, provide additional space for baggage. 2026 Peugeot 308 SW Specs

2026 Peugeot 308 SW Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

The latest 308 SW is based on an upgraded EMP2 chassis and supports gasoline, diesel, electric, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It is the basis for the Vauxhall Astra, the larger Peugeot 3008 model, and the DS 4 stablemates. It was manufactured prior to Stellantis acquiring Peugeot.

Peugeot’s distinctive tiny estate is easily identifiable from the outside. With its gorgeous shoulder line creases and rakish front design, it is definitely a bit of a head-turner. The 308 SW’s wider rear overhang and upright tail are expertly incorporated into the estate vehicle adaptation. The 308 SW comes in two eye-catching exterior color options: Elixir Red (£950) and Avatar Blue (free).

It is clear that Peugeot has worked hard to make the car much more comfortable to sit in. It is far superior than the Volkswagen Golf and appears to be a serious challenger for high-end cars when compared to only a few years ago. Its elegant appearance complements its well-designed interior thanks to its robust construction and careful use of high-quality materials.

The i-Cockpit technology, which is standard on all Peugeot models, takes some getting used to. It boasts a 10-inch media touchscreen and an identically sized digital driver’s display, and it works wonderfully. However, it’s so little that you can only see the dials by peering over the top of the steering wheel. We advise trying it out to see whether it works for you because it’s a fresh layout.

In addition, we don’t know if the optional 3D tool is a real scam. It is standard on the GT and shows data into an extra panel that “floats” on top of the regular data. Two parts seem to be trying to do the same thing that might be done with a single, simpler interface.

The 308 and 308 SW were the first vehicles to employ Peugeot’s state-of-the-art entertainment system. Despite being superior than earlier generations’ systems, it still has a number of issues.

The 10-inch screen is excellent; it creates images with sharp, clear, and high definition. It also has Bluetooth and two USB ports, one of which is USB-C compatible.

Allure models that thereafter utilize the company’s i-Toggle technology and are compatible with smartphones that have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay loaded. You may add widgets or shortcuts to commonly used settings, like heating or ventilation, using the physical shortcut buttons on the dashboard, which are situated underneath a small touch panel.

Although it’s still not as useful as having a conventional switch or dial for temperature and fan speed, it’s a fair first step in comparison to Peugeot’s previous attempts in this area. We think that the animation screen changes are only intended to hide latency rather than enhance usability, even if the screen’s interface is rather evident. 2026 Peugeot 308 SW Specs

2026 Peugeot 308 SW Specs

Engine & Performance

Peugeot’s image as a fun car manufacturer has declined in recent years. The French company’s historical library was full with cars that provided pleasant travel and smooth driving, ranging from superminis to massive saloons. In contrast, its most recent competitors have only been mediocre. Thankfully, the 308 SW is a capable and composed choice that isn’t as far behind the class leaders as you would think, even if it isn’t quite a comeback.

A 1.2-liter PureTech three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with 129 horsepower powers the basic model. It takes 9.7 seconds to get from 0 to 62 miles per hour, making it both efficient and quite fast.

The portfolio was recently expanded to include the brand-new HYBRID 136 e-DSC6 mild hybrid. It upgrades the existing 1.2-liter gasoline engine with a 28-bhp electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It generates the same amount of torque (270 Nm) but a little more power (134 bhp) as a normal gasoline engine. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 9.3 seconds when the gasoline engine and electric motor work together. Its range is significantly limited while in EV mode. However, it feels a lot like the non-hybrid model on a daily basis.

The 1.5-liter BlueHDi diesel, with the same power and 300 Nm of torque, comes next. In the benchmark acceleration test, the improved four-cylinder engine runs around a second slower than the gasoline, but it seems brisker in real life.

If you want more speed, the plug-in hybrid version provides you an additional energy boost. Although it costs £1,400 more, the 222bhp PHEV (only available in GT form) saves a tenth of a second over the 7.6-second 178bhp counterpart.

On paper, both seem to have greater performance potential, despite the comparatively easier engine connection and intermittent supply problems when the computers switch between unleaded and electrical assistance. On the plus side, both plug-in hybrids have a large enough battery to go 40 miles on electricity alone and can reach highway speeds without utilizing their engines.

We have a problem with the French hatchback’s base gasoline and diesel models’ eight-speed automatic transmission. Sadly, there isn’t a manual option, which is bad because it may occasionally feel a bit awkward. It is not quick enough to pick up while attempting to drive away from a crossroads, and it takes too long to engage a gear at the conclusion of a low-speed coast. For the rest of the time, the Peugeot is a hassle-free choice because it is sufficiently smooth.

Last but not least is the all-electric Peugeot E-308 SW, which was just introduced. Because, like previous Stellantis models, it has to be in the Sport driving mode to fully utilize its more powerful engine, which generates 154 horsepower, its performance is rapid rather than speedy. In regular mode, output is lowered to 134 horsepower in order to improve economy and save range. Even in Sport mode, the system takes a bit longer to produce that familiar EV push when you press the throttle pedal. Although this is by no means a deal killer, even the most powerful version of the engine responds better to a flowing approach than to genuine devotion.

You sit quite low in the car regardless of the engine, so if you’re short, you’ll need to raise the seat high and lower the steering wheel position to view the i-Cockpit digital instruments. It’s a little odd. The inside, however, is sufficiently cozy and protected from outside noise and traffic.

The 308’s small, stylish wheel may not appeal to everyone, but it’s surprisingly nimble for city driving, and its quick steering provides respectable feel and precision. The suspension system of the 308 SW, however, is well-equipped to reduce any road jolts and provide a deliciously smooth ride for both the driver and passengers.

The 308 SW’s remarkable grip and comparatively well-contained body movements allow it to drive on faster courses with remarkable grace and neutrality. The Peugeot retains much of the fast reflexes and smooth ride that were formerly characteristics of its well-liked family cars from the 1980s and 1990s, even though rivals like the Ford Focus Estate are more nimble and thrilling. 2026 Peugeot 308 SW Specs

2026 Peugeot 308 SW Fuel Economy

A petrol-powered 308 SW should earn an average of 43.3 mpg according to the current WLTP testing methodology, but if you choose for a version with smaller wheels and fewer accessories, this might go as high as 51.9 mpg.

Fuel economy is obviously increased by selecting diesel power; the 1.5-liter BlueHDi engine in the 308 SW is said to get between 50.1 and 59.6 mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. According to our statistics, the 308 SW diesel’s average fuel efficiency is 54.1 mpg.

The hybrid is the more efficient car, though, with mpg ranging from 48.5 to 62.6 depending on the model. This kind is more cost-effective at slower speeds when the electric motor reduces the stress of stop-start traffic.

Better still, the hybrid is in the 26% Benefit-in-Kind corporate vehicle tax zone due to its low CO2 emissions of 107 g/km. However, because the gasoline and diesel versions are categorized at 123 to 148 grams per kilometer, customers are required to pay taxes that range from 30 to 31 percent.

Because they can go around 40 miles on energy alone and release much less CO2 (23–25 g/km), the 308 plug-in hybrid cars are more appealing. Consequently, BiK rates start at just 12%. It’s also important to remember that PHEVs are significantly more expensive to buy than their fossil fuel-powered counterparts.

Lastly, the 54kWh (51.5kWh usable) battery of the E-308 SW can go up to 254 miles between charges; in the best of conditions, you should be able to utilize it for over 220 miles. While three-phase charging is still common, 11kW compatibility is more advantageous in continental Europe than in the UK. With 100kW DC charging, the E-308 SW can be charged from 20% to 80% of its capacity in less than 25 minutes.

For business clients, the electric E-308 SW makes the most sense if its range and charging speed match their daily obligations. Because it only pulls 2% in BiK, taxpayers at even lower rates will save thousands of pounds from their annual salary sacrifice.

For the 308 SW that operates on gasoline, hybrids, and diesel, insurance should be reasonably priced. Most automobiles are in insurance group 19, although the GT and GT Premium are in groups 20 or 21. Next up comes the E-308 SW, which compensates for its low tax and fuel costs with somewhat higher groups of 24 for the Allure and 25 for the GT.

Selecting the 177-bhp plug-in hybrid, which starts in group 26, would likely result in a little increase in premiums. The GT variant from Group 30, the only trim level with this powertrain, substantially boosts the 222bhp PHEV’s output.

According to our expert study, over 36,000 kilometers and three years, the most modern 308 SW should retain between 43 and 47 percent of its value. The 1.2 PureTech GT model is anticipated to perform the best, while the plug-in hybrid 1.6 180 Allure is anticipated to lose the most performance.

2026 Peugeot 308 SW Safety Features

The nearly identical 308 hatchback only received a four-star rating from Euro NCAP, which may have less to do with the Peugeot’s crash performance than it does with the fact that some of its safety features are optional, despite Peugeot’s remarkable track record of obtaining five-star safety ratings in crash tests.

Common driving aids include speed limit warnings, lane keep assist, and driver attentiveness alerts. To get adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alerts when reversing, you have to upgrade to Peugeot’s Drive Assist Pack.

Despite Peugeot placing an incredible sixth out of 32 manufacturers, the 308 SW estate and its hatchback sister were not included in our 2024 Driver Power consumer satisfaction survey.

With just 20.8% of owners reporting a problem within the first year, long-held myths about French cars have been dispelled. Even with its subpar performance, it is still inferior to the car manufacturers Toyota and Honda, who have ratings of 18.1% and 13.8%, respectively. Even though Peugeot’s infotainment is one of the lowest-rated categories and has acceptable overall scores, owners don’t seem to find it especially user-friendly.

The 308 comes with a three-year warranty that includes a maximum mileage cap of 60,000 miles for the third year and an unlimited mileage cap for the first two. A separate eight-year or 100,000-mile guarantee covers the battery of the E-308 SW, although the rest of the car could also be protected for the same period of time.

Peugeot Service Plans offer a range of mileage options and cover anticipated maintenance expenditures for a maximum of five years. Despite being marginally more costly than traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles, plug-in hybrids may be paid for on a monthly basis.

2026 Peugeot 308 SW Release Date & Price

The Active trim of the modern, third-generation 2026 Peugeot 308 SW starts at just under £30,000, while the mid-range Allure trim costs a further £1,500. The sporty-looking, range-topping GT costs around £34,000, while the electric version costs just less than £42,000.

The SW estate has the same EMP2 platform as rivals like the Vauxhall Astra, just like its five-door hatchback sibling.

In the end, Peugeot only provided the GT, Allure, and Active trim levels of the 308 SW. Depending on the model and trim level, the powertrain options include a turbocharged 1.2-liter gasoline engine in conventional and mild hybrid versions, an electric vehicle (EV), a fuel-efficient diesel, and two plug-in hybrids.

Among the unexpectedly decent standard features of the entry-level Active grade are 16-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, auto air conditioning, controlled lighting and wipers, and Peugeot’s i-Cockpit twin-screen system that mixes entertainment and driver information.

The Allure standard upgrade comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, dark tinted side windows, a reversing camera, and more driving modes. By integrating the brand’s i-Toggle layout into the infotainment system, you can also customize the shortcuts with the features you use most often.

The sporty-looking GT is the most popular variant on the list thanks to its 18-inch alloy wheels, ambient interior lighting, matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and a 3D instrument cluster.

Conclusion

The market for compact family estate automobiles is still competitive since major automakers like Ford, Vauxhall, and SEAT continue to provide spacious and powerful load luggers. The Kia Ceed Sportswagon is another stylish choice; it’s a little smaller but has a lengthy guarantee. The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports provides a highly efficient hybrid system together with a lengthy warranty for people who desire more efficiency than a gasoline-powered car can provide but do not have easy access to an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle’s charging connection.

If space is an important consideration, it’s hard to ignore the Skoda Superb Estate (and why wouldn’t it be if you’re looking for an estate?). In addition to being among the biggest boots on the market, the most recent model is also opulent and fashionable.

The 2026 Peugeot 308 SW outperforms its rivals thanks to its all-electric drivetrain option. Actually, the main rivals at the time were the mechanically comparable Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric and the small but respectable electric MG5.

Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.