Peugeot had a long history of producing station wagons for its cars, so it was just natural to have the compact hatchback 308 available with such bodywork as well.
Starting with September 2014, Europe imposed new emission standards for all new cars, and the French automaker used that year to change the generation of the 308. It was the first time in Peugeot's history that it used the same nameplate for two consecutive generations. In addition, it kept the SW initials, which didn't come from "station wagon," as some might think but from sports wagon, as the brand's official suggested.
Sharing its front fascia with the five-door hatchback, the SW version showed a totally new approach on the market. The car didn't look bland and dull anymore. Its chromed-surrounded grille and the "Peugeot" lettering placed on the hood's front edge looked closer to the premium segment. Moreover, the headlights featured LED daytime running lights at their upper edge, like a row of pearls. From its profile, the car's dynamic look was emphasized by the curved sculptured lines on the door panels that ran all the way to the rear fenders, being ended onto the taillights. Unlike its hatchback sibling, the SW featured different rear doors and an additional row of side windows next to the trunk.
Inside, the automaker focused on two main directions: design and material quality. Thus, the automaker installed a binocular-style instrument cluster with a TFT placed between the tachometer and speedometer. Atop the center stack, between the center vents, Peugeot placed the sound system above the HVAC controls. For the base versions, the flat front bucket seats were not very supportive, but they were comfortable. At the same time, at the back, the 308 SW featured a 60/40 split-folding bench suitable for three passengers.
Under the hood, the 2015 308 SW received a wide choice of diesel and gasoline engines paired as standard to a manual transmission. As an option, selected versions were available with a six-speed automatic.
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