While the rest of the world falls for crossovers, Peugeot did the opposite — it doubled down on the wagon. The facelifted 308 SW GT Hybrid just launched in Japan in a run of only 80 units, priced at ¥5.39 million (roughly $36,000). And the wildest part? Its biggest selling point isn't the styling — it's a genuinely massive 1,634-liter trunk.
After the facelift, the old vertical "fang" daytime running lights are gone from the 308. Three light strips now sit up top, shaped like a lion's claw marks, the main headlights sit lower in a dark panel, and the Peugeot badge is now illuminated. The cabin didn't get a radical overhaul — the signature i-Cockpit setup, with its small steering wheel and gauge cluster mounted above it, carries over unchanged. The wagon stretches 4,655 mm long with a 2,730 mm wheelbase — 235 mm and 50 mm more, respectively, than the current 308 hatchback. The rear bench folds in a 4:2:4 split, and the tailgate now opens itself — hands-free power operation isn't a luxury add-on here, it's just standard.
Under the hood sits a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder making 136 hp, paired with a 20 hp electric motor built into a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The battery is modest — just 0.9 kWh. Fuel economy comes in at 20.4 km/l on Japan's WLTC cycle, or about 4.9 L/100 km. Reviewers singled out the smoothness once up to speed, the well-weighted steering, and a body that genuinely feels stiff and solid.
The verdict? Five out of five stars across every category — layout, powertrain, handling, and overall recommendation. That's one journalist's take, not a comparative test, of course. But with the world obsessed with SUVs, the 308 SW still holds a simple trump card: near-crossover practicality without giving up the low stance and driving feel of a regular car.
Peugeot previously confirmed it plans seven new models before 2030. The new E-208 arrives in 2027, the E-2008 a year after that, while today's gasoline and hybrid models stick around through the transition.
