Review: Peugeot T7 308 Wagon/Touring (2008-13)

Review: Peugeot T7.I 308 Touring (2008-11)

Overview

Released in August 2008, the Peugeot T7 Phase I (T7.I) 308 Touring was a five-door wagon (the 308 hatch has been reviewed separately). Manufactured in France, the 308 Touring had five seats as standard, though an additional third row with two seats was available as an option. As per the table below, the front-wheel drive 308 Touring was available with four different engines and in three variants: XS, XSE and Sportium.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the Peugeot 307 Touring , the 308 Touring was 72 mm longer (at 4500 mm), 53 mm wider (1815 mm) and 16 mm lower (1564 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2708 mm). Inside, the second row of seats could slide forward, while the second row seats and front passenger could be folded forward to make a flat floor. Furthermore, the 308 Touring had pseudo MacPherson type front struts, a torsion beam rear axle and electrohydraulic power steering.

March 2010 updates

From March 2010, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine was available with a six-speed automatic transmission and peak power increased by 5 kW. In October 2010, the 1.6- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines were modified for compliance with Euro V emission standards – these changes also resulted in increased power and torque outputs.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the 308 Touring XS included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiting seatbelts for the front and outer rear seats.

The 308 Touring XSE, XTE and XTS were also fitted with electronic stability control.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2009 308 hatchback with a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine – and equipped with a driver’s knee airbag (unavailable in Australia) – received a five star safety rating which included an 82 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 81 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset impact, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the front occupants. In the pole impact test, chest protection was poor. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in an adult occupant protection rating of 35.32 out of 37.

Features: 308 Touring XS, XSE and XTE

Standard features for the 308 Touring XS included 15-inch steel wheels, a six speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary input, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a cooled glovebox, cruise control with speed limiter, front and rear fog lamps, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, a panoramic glass sunroof, cargo blind, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The 308 Touring XSE was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The range-topping 308 Touring XTE, however, was differentiated by its 17-inch alloy wheels, five-disc CD stacker, power folding mirrors, fragrance diffuser, illuminated vanity mirrors for front passengers, tyre pressure monitor and electrochromatic rear-view mirror.

2010 308 Touring Sportium

In September 2010, 308 Touring Sportium was released. Compared to the XSE, the 308 Touring Sportium featured 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB input, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, headlight washers, aluminium pedals and door sills, and sports bumpers.

308 Touring Flex Pack

From November 2008 to January 2009, the 308 Touring was available with a ‘Flex Pack’ which included a Tom Tom XL portable satellite navigation unit and Thule roof bar set with box or roof-mounted twin bike racks.

Brochure

• Brochure: Peugeot T7.I 308 Hatch and 308 Touring (September 2008)

Specifications

• Specifications: Peugeot T7.I 308 Touring (July 2010)

Review: Peugeot T7.II 308 Wagon and Touring (2011-13)

Overview

Released in August 2011, the T7 Phase II (T7.II) 308 range was expanded to include the 308 Wagon and 308 Touring models. While the 308 Wagon had fixed second row bench seats, the 308 Touring had individual second row seats and optional third row seats. The T7.II 308 Wagon was also available with an ‘e-HDi’ engine – mated to a six-speed ‘EGC’ semi-automatic transmission with automatic and clutchless manual modes – that would automatically shut down when stationary to conserve fuel.

Compared to its T7.I predecessor, the T7.II 308’s chassis had a higher proportion of high strength steel and ‘multilayer’ reinforcements for a stronger structure (and weight reduction). Visually, the T7.II 308 Wagon and Touring could be identified by their redesigned V-shaped bonnet (with a Peugeot badge at its tip) and ‘smooth glass’ front headlights. Inside, the dashboard was sloped for greater visibility while higher quality and soft-touch materials were more prevalent.

Safety equipment

Compared to its T7.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the T7.II 308 Touring was extended to include electronic stability control and traction control; the 308 Wagon was similarly equipped.

Features

Standard features for the 308 Touring Access included 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB), air conditioning (including the glove box), cruise control (with brake function), Bluetooth connectivity, front and rear fog lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering column, height adjustable front seats, 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and immobiliser.

The 308 Touring Active was further equipped with dual-zone climate control air conditioning, daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, individual and removable second row seats, flat folding and removable third row seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, panoramic glass roof with a powered blind, power folding mirrors and an electrochrome rear view mirror.

308 Touring Sportium

In mid-2013, the 308 Touring was released in limited-run Sportium editions. Compared to the Active editions, the Sportium editions were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels (with 225/45 R17 tyres), satellite navigation, leather seat trim, white-faced instrument dials and unique interior trim finishes.

Brochure

• Brochure: Peugeot T7.II 308 Hatch and 308 Touring (May 2014)

Related links

• Specifications: Peugeot T7.II 308 Touring (August 2011)
• Specifications: Peugeot T7.II 308 Touring Sportium (July 2013)