The winds of change are blowing at Peugeot! After flooding the market with SUVs, the lion brand seems ready to restore the prestige of station wagons. In a recent interview, CEO Alain Favey opened the door to a future where family models could reclaim their place, thus challenging current trends.
A return to roots?
It seems that the era of SUVs is not an end in itself for car manufacturers. Although these models with elevated silhouettes have captivated the public, some manufacturers, including Peugeot, are considering a return to more traditional cars. As Alain Favey revealed in an interview with Autocar, the French automaker could develop a new station wagon, heir to the 508, a model that is starting to be sidelined due to insufficient demand.
A bold vision
“Everyone, including us, is launching all kinds and sizes of SUVs on the market. However, there is a feeling that in the future, something else will have to happen. What? I think every brand is thinking about it, and we have plans in that direction.”
Peugeot 508 Station Wagon 2023
In response to the insistence of Autocar journalists, Favey replied with cautious optimism: “Why not?” This potential return to station wagons does not seem to be a mere whim. The CEO specified: “We had to stop production of the 508 because demand did not justify its presence on the market. Now, we are evaluating what the future holds for us after SUVs, and perhaps there will be something else in that direction (station wagons, editor’s note) later.”
The road ahead
“Will it be a station wagon or something different? I don’t know. But we are not ruling anything out, and if we find the right recipe for the future in this market segment, which is clearly not the 508, otherwise we would have kept it, then of course we will return.”
Review of the Peugeot 308 SW GT Hybrid (2026)
The final word is therefore not yet said. Peugeot could consider a station wagon in addition to the 308, based on the STLA Medium platform, which is also used for the new 3008 and 5008. This versatile platform would pave the way for a variety of powertrains: gasoline, hybrids, and electric. This would mean that Peugeot would be able to adapt to the expectations of modern consumers while bringing the tradition of station wagons back to the forefront.
A long-term strategy
It is clear that the future of station wagons at Peugeot is not limited to a simple nostalgic return. The manufacturer seems to want to capitalize on the advantages of a station wagon: space, comfort, and practicality. Indeed, these family models are often favored for their ability to combine elegance and functionality. By offering an alternative to SUVs, Peugeot could stand out in an increasingly saturated market.
The importance of innovation
The question now is one of innovation. How will Peugeot integrate the latest technologies while maintaining the DNA of a station wagon? With the advent of electrification, integrating an electric or hybrid engine could be an unavoidable option. Moreover, station wagons have often been synonymous with versatility, and adding alternative powertrains could appeal to environmentally conscious customers without sacrificing driving pleasure.
As the brand explores these new avenues, it is essential that it takes customer feedback into account. Breaking away from old practices must be accompanied by careful listening to consumer expectations. Who knows, perhaps a new Peugeot station wagon could become tomorrow’s bestseller, while paying homage to an era when these models reigned supreme on our roads.
To keep up with all the news regarding Peugeot and its new projects, feel free to check out our dedicated automotive news section.
