“WHAT’S a station wagon dad?” It’s a good question. For the past 60 years or so we’ve called them estate cars but, before then, they were called station wagons.

The name depended on where you lived.

If you had the good fortune to be brought up in the country then a car with an extended roof line and a big boot was known as an estate car because its primary role was to run the posh knobs and their clutter around their sprawling country estates.

If you had the bad luck to be living in a soot-filled city the same automobiles were called station wagons because their main job was ferrying folk to and from the railway station.

At least it’s better than the name given to this class of car in the US where, because of their wooden bodywork they were known as ‘woodies’ (ahem). Nobody today would ever admit to having a woody - at least not in public.

History lesson over.

The Peugeot 308 is already the European Car of the Year so how do you make it even better? Make it bigger.

There’s a significant difference between hatchback and station wagon versions of this car - the SW is built on a stretched version of the 308 platform so it’s significantly bigger.

Nor has all the extra length gone into the boot - Peugeot has moved the rear seat back as well to give the SW extra leg and knee room for back seat passengers.

The bigger 308’s arrival coincides with the debut of Peugeot’s excellent 1.6 BlueHDI diesel and a turbo 1.2 petrol engine that feels (and goes) a lot bigger than it really is. Could it be the pick of the range?

ON THE ROAD: ​ I waxed lyrical about the 1.6 e-THP in the hatchback. Now it’s the turn of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo.

The additional size and weight of the SW’s body doesn’t appear to have made a dint in the 1.2’s decent turn of speed or its terrific fuel economy. If this engine isn’t a finalist when they hand out the gongs for International Engine of the Year in December then there’s no justice.

Good for 129bhp and, in certain circumstances, nearly 65mpg it’s the perfect accompaniment to the 308’s other beguiling qualities - the big car ride, refinement, classy accommodation and general air of quiet accomplishment.

Although it’s bigger in every dimension, the new SW clocks in at 140kg less than its predecessor meaning it’s the lightest load lugger in the C-segment.

Despite this there’s nothing flimsy or skittish about the drive. Peugeot seems to have regained its suspension mojo with the 308 - the chassis confidently deals with anything you can throw in its path and shocks rarely find their way into the cabin. On the move, the extended wheelbase means it feels like a car from the next class up.

​ ON THE INSIDE: ​ The extra space is obvious the moment you step inside. The back seats have been moved backwards by 29mm compared to the hatchback and there’s loads more legroom for passengers. My kids couldn’t annoy me by kicking the back of my driver’s seat in the SW - they could in the hatchback.

The Northern Echo:

The tester came with Peugeot’s signature panoramic glass sunroof. An electrically-operated sunblind peels back to reveal a massive 1.6m2 pane that floods the interior with natural daylight. Scientists agree that daylight improves our health by stimulating certain glands which produce ‘feel-good’ hormones; there’s no doubt it gives the 308’s polished interior a major lift, too.

The fascia is the same as the hatchback. Peugeot has purposefully decluttered it by moving many of the non-essential controls (audio, heating, navigation etc) to the large 9.7-inch touch-screen monitor. The user interface is cheerful and easy to operate after a short familiarisation period.

I like the ‘head up’ instruments which places the speedo and rev counter just below your natural sight line above the small leather-wrapped steering wheel. Now the controversy has died down more drivers are begrudgingly acknowledging that Peugeot may be on to something with an instrument pack that can be read without taking your eyes off the road.

​ WHAT DO YOU GET: ​ As befits a car with family-friendly credentials the 308SW is packed with safety kit. The Driver Assistance Pack, available as a option, incorporates a radar on the front of the car which flashes a warning when it detects an imminent collision and intervenes if you ignore the advice to brake. The dynamic cruise control monitors the distance to the car in front and brakes if you get too close.

The Northern Echo:

The Allure trim level is the best trade-off between kit and cost. You get all the basics plus useful extras like LED headlamps, the touch screen interface, a DAB radio tuner, reversing sensors, camera and 17-inch alloys.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT? ​ Cars like this stand or fall on their practicality. The 308 passed my grass cutting test with flying colours: its boot space was easily big enough to swallow half-a-dozen bags of grass cuttings without the need to drop the rear seats. That’s impressive (I’ve got a big garden).

When you’re not hauling grass, there are handy tie-downs to prevent heavy items rolling around and some under floor storage for fragile items. The luggage cover can be stashed out of the way if it’s not required.

The boot aperture is 106cm wide (perfect for DIY flat packs) and the length to the rear seat backs is 107cm. For added convenience the loading sill is very low and there’s hardly any intrusion by the rear wheel arches.

Of course, there are times when this just isn’t enough. Peugeot’s ‘Magic Flat’ seat arrangement means the rear seat backs can be flipped down by a lever which is accessible from both sides of the boot. When you do the maximum load capacity is 1,660-litres.

​ RUNNING COSTS: ​ The 308’s dinky three-cylinder turbo engine is a revelation: powerful but frugal and very clean. Although I couldn’t achieve Peugeot’s claimed 65 mpg the SW’s road test average of 49mpg is still outstanding and the best petrol result I have achieved in this class.

If you go for the 1.6 BlueHDI diesel you’ll pay nadda for your road tax thanks to that powerplant’s 85g/km tailpipe emissions figure.

The Northern Echo:

​ VERDICT: ​Estates only account for one-in-ten cars sold in the C-segment small family car class. I suspect the 308SW will grab rather more of the market than that.

This is Peugeot’s best estate car for years. Arguably, it’s even better looking than its hatchback sibling, has the same gutsy performance, premium interior and high quality ride. Thanks to the stretched floorpan it certainly offers a more practical package.

If you’re a family man looking for a great all-rounder, it’s a compelling package.

 

PEUGEOT 308 SW Price: from £16,845 - £25,145

​ Spec:​ Engine: ​1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo Power: ​129 bhp Torque: ​173 lb/ft Top speed: ​124 mph 0-62mph: ​12.6 seconds (although it feels faster) Fuel economy: ​65.6 mpg (combined official) CO2 emissions: ​115 g/km Insurance group: ​21E Equipment: ​ Electric windows, power steering, DAB radio tuner with Bluetooth audio streaming, sat nav, touch-screen, alloys.

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