Peugeot 308 review

With its striking good looks, the Peugeot 308 is a desirable five-door hatchback but it sacrifices practicality and isn’t great to drive

  • 1Verdict – currently reading
  • 2Engines, performance and drive
  • 3MPG, CO2 and running costs
  • 4Interior, design and technology
  • 5Practicality, comfort and boot space
  • 6Reliability and safety

  • 4.0 out of 5

    Price£20,635 to £38,030

    • Looks great
    • Much improved infotainment system
    • Cabin quality
      • Tight rear space
      • Dull handling
      • Poor automatic gearbox

      Buyers looking for an eye-catching family hatchback that offers a little more character and (dare we say it) Gallic flair than other mainstream rivals, could find the Peugeot 308 an interesting option. The French family car is bestowed with an air of quality that means it will have other premium hatches from the likes of Audi and BMW well in its sights. 

      But the 308 isn’t quite the complete package; its cramped rear seats won’t win favour from passengers, while its insipid handling and imprecise automatic gearbox will disappoint keener drivers. Improved onboard technology and decent levels of refinement are plus points that help to make the 308 a desirable choice, but other, admittedly less handsome, hatchbacks offer better value for money.

      About the Peugeot 308

      Peugeot knows a thing or two about making a good-looking hatchback. From the iconic 205 and 306 of the 80s and 90s, to the sharp styling of the current 208 supermini, the French car maker has often prioritised cars that draw in buyers with a real sense of desirability. 

      Peugeot sought out famed design firm and coachbuilder Pininfarina to come up with the blueprint for the 306, along with the sleek 406 Coupe, while the double-bubble roof of the sporty RCZ coupe was inspired by another Italian coachbuilding company, Zagato. 

      • Best French modern classic cars 2022

      So, we’ve established Peugeot’s design credentials, and it’s clear from just a quick glance at the new 308’s dramatic, rakish look that the manufacturer wants buyers to sit up and take notice. Its distinctive style makes some rivals feel a bit ordinary and definitely helps the 308 stand out in a crowded hatchback market.

      Competition is fierce, with mainstream perennials such as the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Vauxhall Astra and SEAT Leon all vying for attention, while the Korean pair of the Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30 are worth equal consideration. More premium opponents come in the form of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes A-Class, but such is the 308’s push upmarket that it won’t be shying away from taking on this talented trio.

      The front-wheel-drive 308 offers a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains; the 1.2-litre Puretech petrol unit produces 129bhp, as does the 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel, while the PHEV model uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine alongside a 12.4kWh battery and single electric motor to deliver either 178bhp or 222bhp. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range.

      Standard equipment is reasonably generous and includes 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, auto air-conditioning, rear parking sensors and Peugeot’s i-Cockpit twin-screen set-up that covers driver information and infotainment systems. However, we’d recommend upgrading to either the Allure or Allure Premium specification which sets off the 308’s overall look a little better than the entry-level Active Premium’s sparser appearance. 

      For buyers willing to spend a bit more, there’s the sporty GT or GT Premium models, although you’ll need at least £30,000 to secure a petrol version and nearer £40,000 for a plug-in hybrid version. The 308 SW estate model is also available, offering increased practicality and starting from around £26,500.

      For an alternative review of the Peugeot 308, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk…

      Next Steps

      Which Is Best

      Cheapest

      • Name1.2 PureTech 110 Active Premium 5dr
      • Gearbox typeManual
      • Price£20,635

      Most Economical

      • Name1.6 Hybrid Allure 5rd e-EAT8
      • Gearbox typeSemi-auto
      • Price£32,230

      Fastest

      • Name1.6 Hybrid Allure 5rd e-EAT8
      • Gearbox typeSemi-auto
      • Price£32,230
      In this review
      • 1Verdict – currently readingWith its striking good looks, the Peugeot 308 is a desirable five-door hatchback but it sacrifices practicality and isn’t great to drive
      • 2Engines, performance and drivePlug-in hybrid models offer decent punch, but the 308 hatchback is no driver’s car
      • 3MPG, CO2 and running costsThe 308 petrol and diesel models offer good real-world fuel economy, but the plug-in hybrid is quite expensive to buy
      • 4Interior, design and technologyEye-catching looks and a quality cabin elevate the 308 above a lot of mainstream hatchback rivals
      • 5Practicality, comfort and boot spaceThe 308 is a bit of a mixed bag in terms of practicality – a large boot and decent towing ability are compromised by poor passenger space
      • 6Reliability and safetyDespite offering good levels of standard safety kit, the Peugeot 308 misses out on a top Euro NCAP rating

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