For SUV rejectors, a good wagon’s tough to beat. Peugeot’s 308 GT Premium’s a striking new addition, so we give it the family test.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
JULES: Ah, the French have remembered how to design a beautiful car.
IAIN: Striking, isn’t it? Peugeot’s current line-up’s delicious, including this 308 wagon.
JULES: Why don’t I see more on the road?
IAIN: Peugeot prices itself close to prestige brands. It offers only high-specification, so our GT Premium wagon’s $55,000 drive-away.
JULES: Ouch. Growing up in France, everyone had small, cheap Peugeots. It’s strange to see Australians see them as exotic euros!
IAIN: Wagon rivals include the VW Golf 110TSI (about $44,000 drive-away), Mini Clubman Cooper S ($59,000 drive-away) or larger Skoda Octavia Style ($42,500 drive-away).
JULES: I want to be wowed then. LED matrix headlights with giant LED teardrops and black 18-inch alloys are a good start.
IAIN: And rear LED lights do a stunning, Knight Rider-esque show when you unlock. Special.
THE LIVING SPACE
JULES: We’ve owned 1980s Peugeots. Things have come a long way.
IAIN: Gone are plastic dashboards with the structural integrity of a snail shell. The 308 has soft touch surfaces and suede through the doors and dash, and Nappa leather perforated seats with mattress-like padding.
JULES: They’re sink-in comfy. The cabin’s feel and presentation are close to an Audi or BMW.
IAIN: But with French design flair. There are artistic angles everywhere and a tiny gear shift toggle in a minimalist centre console.
JULES: But being French, when it’s form versus function, style will win.
IAIN: Ah, Peugeot’s “i-Cockpit”. The digital instrument panel’s very skinny and hard to see.
JULES: Exactly. The small, meaty steering wheel’s a beauty, but it obscured my speedo.
IAIN: I like the seat very low, and the steering wheel was practically in my lap to see the instruments.
THE COMMUTE
JULES: Talk about fancy. Electric massage seats, wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
IAIN: It’s a plush way to travel. The 10-inch infotainment screen has clever tablet-like swiping through widgets to find your audio, navigation and climate.
JULES: Hang on. The climate could be easier. The separate touch panel looks classy, but a simple knob would mean less time with eyes off the road.
IAIN: Drive-wise the 308 floats along, the suspension softly absorbing bumps, but not in a bouncy, vomit-inducing way. Whisper quiet inside too.
JULES: The radar cruise control’s smart, but the lane keep system’s too grabby. How’s a French girl supposed to keep her espresso and croissant steady when the steering wheel yanks her hand?
IAIN: Another quirk? I couldn’t get the heated seats to work. Apparently they only do so when the outside temperature’s cold enough. Shouldn’t the driver be in charge?
THE SHOPPING
JULES: God I love wagons. Such a long boot, plus clever storage bins at sides and under the floor.
IAIN: It’s a no-brainer paying $1500 over the hatch – it looks better and is vastly more practical.
JULES: Super crisp 360-degree parking camera too, and a swipe under the bumper opens the boot. Love that.
SUNDAY RUN
IAIN: Okay, we’ve avoided it too long. The engine.
JULES: Or lack of it. A three-cylinder 1.2-litre with just 96kW? I’d expect something larger and sportier.
IAIN: You can play the full La Marseillaise while waiting to reach 100km/h. This is not a fast car.
JULES: Lazy to respond, too. Not great when I want a quick getaway at a junction.
IAIN: Sport mode makes the eight-speed auto hold gears longer, and once on the move, the 230Nm of turbo torque means there’s fun pull for a short spell.
JULES: It wants more power as it handles well.
IAIN: True. Steering’s sharp and the body stays nicely composed in fast corners. Low profile tyres grip superbly – it’s begging for more power.
JULES: Isn’t there a plug-in hybrid version?
IAIN: Yes, with 132kW. But it’s hatch only and a whopping $70,000 drive away. Sorry, that’s too expensive.
THE FAMILY
JULES: I was expecting more from the back seats.
IAIN: Legroom’s average, and headroom’s encroached with the slanting roof. Large kids will feel cramped, and Peugeot should extend the glass roof. It’s too dark in the back.
JULES: Air vents, two USB-C ports and comfy seats at least make the rear tolerable.
IAIN: Safety kit’s vast, including blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Its crash test yielded a not great 4 star ANCAP result.
JULES: A titchy engine benefit is great economy. We managed 6.5L/100km in town, then only 4.5L/100km on the highway.
IAIN: And five prepaid services for $1900 isn’t bad. Although the family budget’s crippled if you pay full drive-away price for this car.
THE VERDICT
JULES: It’s a lavish, beautiful and stylish wagon. I love so much about it, but the gutless engine and price makes it a real heart over head decision.
IAIN: I’m blown away with the premium feel to the cabin and its cosseting, classy ride. But if it lost some frills – massage seats, Nappa leather – and could be $45,000 rather than $55,000 drive-away, it would get the sales it deserves.