Are you really going to need a crossover?
Stellantis, Europe’s fourth largest car manufacturer, swept aside the powerful Volkswagen Group to claim the top spot in Europe. The automotive conglomerate, which has 14 brands under its umbrella, is looking to maintain its sales crown with new products. The Peugeot 308 hatch was unveiled, along with its Opel Astra counterpart, and the 308 SW will soon be spawned as the Astra Sports Tourer in Germany.
Although it looks exactly like we expected, a predictable design doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad. The Astra’s long-roof Astra retains the sleek appearance of the hatch and increases the cargo volume by lengthening its rear overhang. Opel claims that the luggage compartment can hold 608 liters (21.5 cubic ft) when the rear seats are in place. If the rear seats are removed, the volume increases to 1,634 Liters (57.7 cu. ft) when the seats are folded down. The 308 wagon is almost identical.
The plug-in hybrid is practical and practical. It has 548 or 1,574 Liters of luggage (19.3 to 55.5 cu feet) and the rear seats can be up or down respectively. The base Astra Sports Tourer has folding rear seats that can be folded in a 40/20:40 arrangement to create a flat surface.
You can choose between two heights if you stick with the conventional powertrain. The electric tailgate opens easily by simply moving your foot under the rear bumper. For extra privacy, the new estate includes a retractable load compartment that can be stored underneath the floor in any position.
The Sports Tourer has the same cargo space as the five-door hatchback that we reviewed in July, except for the larger cargo area. The Sports Tourer has a lot of tech, including matrix LED headlights and an overhead display as well as a fully digital instrument cluster with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The engine lineup is identical to the hatchback’s. The turbocharged, three-cylinder, 1.2-liter gasoline engine has 110 horsepower and 205 Newton meters (151 pound-feet), or it can be tuned to 130 hp (170 lb) and 230 Nm (170 Lb-ft). A turbodiesel four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine is rated at 130 horsepower and 300 Nm (221 Lb-ft).
You can also opt for the hatchback’s electrified 1.6-liter turbo engine and a 180 hp PHEV setup for a total output to 360 Nm (266lb-ft). A plug-in hybrid will launch with the hatchback. The more powerful setup will follow, with 225 horsepower. Standard features include a six-speed manual gearbox, while the more powerful models, including the PHEVs, feature an eight-speed auto.
A fully electric Peugeot 308 appears to be in the pipeline by 2023. If the report is correct, logic suggests that an Astra without a combustion motor will only be a matter if.