Peugeot 308
A stylish, well made and strong performing hatchback or estate that warrants serious consideration
Peugeot hasn’t always got the recipe right when it comes to cars in this segment, it freely admitted as much when showing off it launched its second generation of the 308 a few years ago. It wanted the disappointment to end with that new car, and we’re pleased to say they did a fine job, this is a car that sits comfortably among the best in its sector.
We all know first impressions count for a lot in the motoring business, so the smart, unfussy yet stylish exterior of the 308 gets things off to a good start. It looks like a more expensive car than it actually is, and that sentiment gets echoed inside where you’ll find Peugeot’s famous ‘i-Cockpit’ layout amongst some really premium feeling materials.
Your choice of engine will depend on what you need your 308 to do. Higher mileage users will naturally gravitate towards the ‘BlueHDi’ diesel units. The 1.5-litre turbo is the latest generation of Peugeot’s diesels and comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, with an 8-speed offered as an option on the more powerful 128bhp unit – a unit that has managed to achieve over 80mpg on test cycles before. Petrol power comes in the form of ‘PureTech’ units, and the 1.2-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder is the holder of the International Engine of the Year award, winning over judges with its excellent efficiency, low emissions and impressive 128bhp output.
Peugeot has been very generous with equipment too. Regardless of the model chosen, disappointment in the amount of equipment is going to be unlikely, even the base model 308 gets navigation as part of its touchscreen infotainment system. DAB, Bluetooth, smartphone integration, parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers and climate control are other noteworthy standard features, while adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking are key optional extras.
Handsome, well-equipped and very efficient, the Peugeot 308 deserves serious attention if you’re looking at a car of this classification and having an estate body option really adds to its broad appeal.