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What is it?

This is the Peugeot 308 SW THP 175 SE, the range-topping petrol version of Peugeot’s family estate, and available in either five-seat or seven-seat forms.

The 175bhp motor is the same one that’s found in the 207 GTi and 308 GT, and is the most powerful Peugeot-badged fruit of the joint venture between BMW and Peugeot that also powers petrol Minis.

What’s it like?

On the road, there’s very little practical difference between the THP 175 a...Read the full article

While I feel the overall design lacks coherence, this car as all Peugeots has terrific detailing - roof-rails, wheel rims, panel creases, light-clusters etc. all add real class - and this is why I believe people will buy this car despite its unremarkable level of ability.

Steve Cropley said in one of his columns a while back that non car people acknowledge Peugeot as the thinking mans choice.

Certainly it's small to medium size cars have a classless appeal, which bodes well for "normal people" sales, even if the enthusiast has been put off a little.  The car itself has appeal to those that don't want an MPV but need an occasional seven seat capacity.

Just looking forward to the face lifted model!

It's interesting how the once insane looking 407 has matured so well. 

From the early 1980s to the mid 1990s Peugeot was the standard setter for front-wheel drive dynamics in the market. Various Peugeot models, like the 205, 309, 106, 405, 406, 306 etc won countless tests against the opposition mainly thanks to class leading ride, handling, steering etc.

So what on earth happened to Peugeot's driving prowess? How come the best the Lion badged cars can do nowadays is to be no better than average?