2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium wagon new car review

This stylish new European car appears to have it all but one vital thing is letting it down and stopping it from being a sales success.

2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium wagon.

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.

The new Peugeot 308 wagon is a striking looking machine.

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.

It comes in only one highly specified GT Premium grade.

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 308’s beautiful design continues inside.

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?

Teh small and efficient turbo engine lacks grunt, but it steers very well.

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 308 is still a small car and the back seat isn’t overly roomy.

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.

Originally published as 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium wagon new car review