If you’re after an estate car, Peugeot might not be the first manufacturer you look towards.
But the 308 SW (short for Sports Wagon) might be right up your street.
With modern looks, an imposing front end and diagonal claw-like day-running lights, it’s something different and full of personality.
It is the Allure Premium, on test here, with 17-inch alloys, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, voice control, LED headlights, leather steering wheel, 3D SatNav, and keyless entry/go.
Power comes from a 130PS 1.2-litre petrol hooked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
While a 1.2-litre three-cylinder doesn’t sound exciting, it’s excellent for its size. There is quite a bit of low-end grunt to get you off the line and a surprising amount of performance on offer.
Granted, it won’t pin you back in your seat, but it’s more than capable and well-suited to all speeds.
The ride comfort is up to the job, and the handling impresses. The 308 SW is adept at taking bends thanks to grippy tyres and a well-tuned chassis. However, the steering needs to weight up sufficiently in the corners to really push limits.
Inside, the cabin is well-designed and futuristic, with a flat-bottomed, curiously flat-topped steering wheel. Then there’s the i-Cockpit display on the dashboard, which looks lovely and is angled towards the driver.
The screen is clear, responsive, intuitive, and highly customisable. Meanwhile, the digital instrument screen is informative and pleasant to look at. That said, the flat-topped steering wheel can obstruct it.
The cabin is reasonably spacious, too, although taller rear-seat passengers might feel a little cramped. Boot space is 608 litres, which expands to 1,634 litres if you fold the rear seats in a 60/40 split.
In terms of running costs, you’ll get 52.1mpg from the PureTech 130 engine, producing 130g/km CO2 in the process.
Peugeot’s reliability is average nowadays, but a three-year unlimited-mileage warranty is on hand.
The 308 SW achieved a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. Safety kit, such as automatic emergency braking, active safety brake, blind-spot assist, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition, are included.
The Peugeot 308 SW is a pleasantly surprising contender in the estate market, offering good looks, practicality, and generous equipment levels.
The French family motor impresses, given the small engine, and its handling defies its large body.
Furthermore, Peugeot hasn’t been greedy with the asking price.
Fast Facts – Peugeot 308 SW (Allure Premium PureTech 130 Auto) as tested:
Max speed: 130 mph
0-62 mph: 9.9 secs
Combined mpg: 52.1
Engine layout: 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol with front-wheel drive
Nissan has continued its plans to offer a hybrid version of all its petrol cars with its crossover SUV, the Juke, getting the electrifying treatment.
The Juke’s also had some tweaks, with a revised front end, although it retains the same basic funky shape it’s known for.
There are a bunch of trims, and the Tekna+ reviewed here gets aerodynamic alloys, exterior styling tweaks and two-tone metallic paint.
The powertrain is a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, producing 143PS.
The battery is only 1.25kWh, providing an all-electric range of just two miles. But the Juke’s all about preserving fuel economy, rather than engineless driving.
That said, the engine doesn’t start up until you hit third gear or 35mph, and you can override this to leave it in all-electric mode.
The Juke Hybrid is keener to make progress than the pure petrol model. But the rate of acceleration dips as you approach 70mph.
A Sport mode helps increase the accelerator response, although the Juke is anything but sporty in terms of handling. Why? Well, it’s not incredibly athletic in the bends, despite a firm ride.
The Nissan is better suited to dual-carriageways and motorways, while the automatic gearbox is well-refined.
Inside, the Juke is fashionable, with circular air vents adding personality. Additionally, the materials feel pretty nice, although there are cheaper plastics on show.
The infotainment screen protrudes over the top of the dashboard and has been improved along with the car’s makeover. What’s more, the digital display gives valuable information about energy usage and battery statistics.
The seats are comfortable, and forward visibility is okay but compromised at the rear. That said, the hybrid includes a camera, which helps.
There is good space in the front and back, although not enough to comfortably fit three adults in the rear. Meanwhile, storage could be better, with small door bins and only one cupholder.
Boot space is 354 litres, ballooning to 1,114 litres with the back seats folded, while the adjustable boot floor helps minimise the load lip.
Nissan says you’ll get 56.5mpg, producing 114g/km CO2. But perhaps even more importantly, the Juke earned a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. The safety kit includes intelligent emergency braking, lane departure warning and intervention, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring. The Tekna+ adds lane-keep assist, a 360-degree camera, blind spot intervention and rear cross-traffic alert, amongst other technology.
Overall, the Juke is improved on the previous model, and the hybrid offers a respectable blend of performance and good economy figures.
Choosing the hybrid does push the price up, so other rivals that are even better to drive may appear on your radar.
Fast Facts – Nissan Juke Hybrid (Tekna+ trim) as tested:
Max speed: 103 mph
0-62 mph: 10.1 secs
Combined mpg: 56.5
Engine layout: 1.6-litre four-cylinder + electric motor
Tai Woffinden is a speed king. In 2013 he won the Speedway Grand Prix series to become World Champion. He’s since won it twice more. But you’re more likely to notice the ear-stretchers, and the tattoos that cover 75% of his body.
The philosophy of identity has been the subject of unceasing debate since the origin of humankind. If you are so minded, you can read the classical scholarly accounts, including the marathon poem ‘The Odyssey’, understood to have been penned by Homer around the eighth century BC, which, amongst other things, connects with the notion of self. Since I was a kid, and old enough to have deep and meaningful conversations with myself, the enigma of personality has been captivating. However, since adolescence one identifying feature has remained fairly consistent – the way I look.
Our thin yet resilient skin – the largest human organ – and especially the wrapping around the contours of our faces, provides a pictorial element of our identity. How much of our true self is represented by our outward appearance is open to conjecture, but what if you decide to significantly change this shop window to the world? Does your overall identity change? Do people treat you differently? Do you migrate to a different you?
The more I wrestled with these uncertainties two themes became dominant. First, my own decision to change the way I look. Having made this landmark choice, my confidence grew to another level, and I was cool with myself. Perhaps for the first time in my entire life my reflection was pleasing to me and – in my opinion at least – stepping away from the norm for a guy of my age. I like the new me! The second issue is perhaps more abstract but nonetheless connected to a purposeful decision to change how the world saw individuality.
The link? Tai Woffinden – the three times individual speedway world champion. The 32-year-old athlete born in the UK, but having grown up in Perth, Western Australia after emigrating with his family, is the undisputed painted man of this adrenalized motor sport – where 500cc motorcycles accelerate faster than a Formula 1 car, with the added risk of having no brakes. His decision to illustrate his body and parts of his face is a line of enquiry I needed to follow in my quest to better understand the human construct of identity.
Madonna once said, “I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” How closely does this resonate with you?
“It not only resonates with me, but with every person. Although there are millions of people all over the world, we are each unique in our own special ways. I can see where Madonna is coming from, and I agree with her.”
Tai was right – identity is never ordinary and should never be ordained by others. Madonna’s take added a vital new dimension to self. When looking at my reflection in the mirror I was actually admiring a piece of art – and the rest of the world can marvel at it for free!
When did your body art start and what was the trigger?
“I just wanted tattoos when I was young. Mum and dad weren’t that happy; dad only had a standard one on his forearm. When I was fifteen and racing my dad challenged me to beat a couple of older guys, not expecting me to do so. I beat them both – so a deal’s a deal and I got a tattoo!”
American writer, Jack London, proclaimed, “Show me a man with a tattoo and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past.” What’s your story?
“I grew up in Western Australia and rode motorbikes. I came out to Europe to become a professional, but I was kind of playing at it for the first few years – coming home and going out on big benders with all my mates and letting my hair down for three months every summer back in Australia. This was good fun and I absolutely loved it!” Tai then paused as he reflected upon the moment it all changed. “My dad passed away in 2010. That was like a switch – from a teenager to becoming a man overnight. I got my head down and focused on my career.”
Tai’s effervescence quickly returned as he casually added that he then won a few world titles. This, an understatement of epic proportions when his individual and team titles across many countries are tallied up.
“There is not really much left for me to do other than win more world championships.” A driving ambition that won’t please his rivals.
The people I know who have tattoos have mostly chosen to be discreet; most can be covered with clothing. You have prominent ones on your face and hands too. Why did you make this choice?
“I just wanted to be different. I saw a great quote once that went something like this: ‘What are you going to do with all those tattoos when you are older?’ and I think the response was something along the lines of, ‘What are you going to do when you get older – look like everyone else?’ I thought that this was quite insightful when I read it.
“I had my sleeves done and my mum said, ‘please don’t get your hands done.’ I said I wouldn’t, and she replied, ‘you had better not!’ If she hadn’t said that last bit, I probably wouldn’t have got them done.”
Over the years mum has become far more accepting; nonetheless, his face is still wholly out of bounds. “It just progressed then to my neck as I had run out of space on my chest, and then a little bit on the side of my face.”
Although Tai has considered more on his head, he heeds the wishes of partner Faye. “If she gave me the green light, I’d have more on my face, but I will respect her decision since she has to look at me every day.”
How have others reacted to your look?
“It depends on which country you are talking about. US, Australia, UK, and Western Europe – not really a problem. Further east – for example Poland, Russia, and Ukraine – older people do tend to stare and look down at me.”
How do you feel about your look?
“It’s just me now. I’ve seen photographs of me when I was younger without tattoos and I think ‘oh my God, I look so weird!’ I love my look. I’m very happy with it.
“Like a lot of people with tattoos, if I could, I would start again. I’ve got some really amazing ideas – the most insane body art! But I’ve kind of done it from 15, then added and added. Sometimes the guy will come to my house and tattoo me, and I’ll flick through the pictures and think, that looks sick – where can we put it? Then boom, it’s done! Some have meanings, but some are just filling in the gaps.”
Identity, image, and profession are intrinsically intertwined. You risk your life for the entertainment of others – how important is danger in your life?
“Danger is really important in my life but not only from the aspect of my job. Danger gives you that adrenalin – and I’m an adrenalin junkie. I ride a motorbike for a living for a start, although I don’t actually get that much of a buzz anymore. It’s something I’ve done over and over and over again for so many years and that buzz does die off a bit. I’m searching in other places.
“I raced a sprint car in Australia. It’s an absolute weapon of a thing. Once I had done a backflip on a BMX, I did it on a motocross bike. I’m trying to organise a double backflip too.”
Tai then reeled off details of his other daredevil pursuit – skydiving – acknowledging that once he had finished jumping out of aeroplanes, he would start jumping off cliffs. “The more danger, the more adrenalin, the more buzz, and the more excitement. I’m forever chasing that vibe. Where do you stop?”
No brakes and no gears, surely you have to be crazy to ride speedway?
“No! You could say that about many other sports. For many people looking in on what I do on my YouTube channel, they may think that it is crazy, but riding a speedway bike to me is like you walking down the road. When you walk down a path, 99.9% of the time you do so without tripping up. That’s the same for me on a speedway bike because I’ve done it for so long. I began when I was 12 and started riding speedway in 2002. It’s become second nature.”
We share the same significant loss – that of our dads. My dad was my hero, and he first took me to speedway where I saw your dad, Rob, ride. Would you please tell me about the influence your dad had on your life?
“My dad was more my best mate than my dad. Obviously, there were times when he had to be the father figure and discipline me for being a little out of control; but the majority of the time he was my best mate. We travelled together around Europe in the early years, taking in different countries – Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany – virtually everywhere.
“Then his life was cut short, and he didn’t get to see me achieve the greater things that I have accomplished in my career. But I’m sure he’s watching down from above.”
In his compelling autobiography – Raw Speed – Tai wrote this powerfully poignant tribute: “For Dad, my best friend, my teacher, my travelling companion, my father. Everything I have achieved came from what he taught me about life and how to live it.”
You display a powerful sense of self. What is your message to those who have yet to discover themselves?
“My message to anyone is live every day, don’t waste any opportunities and take a moment out of your hectic day just to sit there and appreciate what you do have, and not what you want.”
Meeting Tai in person for the first time at the 2022 FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain was an opportunity I didn’t intend to waste, and the premium risk-taker took my understanding of identity to a new level. Often what lies beneath is obscured by what someone looks like, and our own latent prejudices. But Tai the sage stands proud in an often-confusing landscape of self-doubt, and his personal insights perfectly compliment the words of writer Theodor Seuss Geisel who, under his pen name of Dr Seuss, concluded, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
A new survey has revealed that 24% of motorists would opt for their dream car over their dream partner if given a choice. The survey was undertaken by price comparison platform Quotezone.co.uk. Founder, Greg Wilson, said: “We may not be out and about in our cars as much as we used to, given hybrid working life post-pandemic and the cost of fuel, but our enduring love affair with our vehicles appears stronger than ever. Despite Covid impacting how frequently we drive to work and the cost-of-living crisis squeezing our budgets, more than a quarter of us love our cars more than we ever have before. The time we get to spend in our cars is often time alone away from our busy everyday lives when we get to clear our minds and just focus on the road ahead. This may be just one of the reasons why the special relationship we have with our cars has not only endured but is blossoming during challenging times.”
Despite the rising cost of fuel, more than a quarter of drivers (26%) said their love affair with the car had blossomed over the past 12 months and they loved their vehicle more now than they did this time last year. Almost half of those surveyed (49%) said they still liked their cars while a further 40% described their relationship with their vehicle as a love affair. Only 13% of drivers said their feelings towards their vehicle had cooled over the past year despite the rising costs associated with being behind the wheel.
Gregg explained: “Our love affair with our cars doesn’t look like it will end any time soon either, with half of us saying we would only change our current car when we absolutely have to. Interestingly though, when we do eventually change our car, one in three of us plans to get a hybrid vehicle with the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles now only seven years away.”
