Peugeot 308 SW Hybrid

THIRD REPORT How does our estate compare with firm's trendy new 408?

- Pete Baiden

Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 548/1,574 litres

Running costs 65.6mpg (on test) £510 or 12% tax

THE humble estate car is a dying breed. First it came under attack from SUVS and heavily lost the battle, and now, the jacked-up hatchback/saloon is also trying to muscle into the family car's territory.

Peugeot's current line-up is the perfect example of this, because the new 408 is now available to buy in the UK. It's designed to offer 'practicality and style' and sits between the 308 and 508. The French brand expects it to sell in big numbers, but if you were in the market for a new car, why would you opt for it over something like the 308 SW that we're currently running on our fleet? On paper it offers almost everything the 408 does at a cheaper price. To find out why the 408 exists, I got behind the wheel of a GT Hybrid 225 - exactly the same powertrain as our 308 SW long-termer.