Peugeot 308 hatchback (2007 – ) expert review

The 308 has one of the boldest faces on the market today. It’s dominated by a huge grinning grille and a pair of headlights which sweep along the car’s flanks. There’s certainly no mistaking this is a Peugeot – all its range are immediately identifiable with their feline looks. The rear has a Renault Megane-esque curvy rump with a couple of quirky grilles each side of the numberplate on some models. Although a decent evolution of its 307 predecessor, it still requires a second or third glance to tell it apart.

Our test car was fitted with the optional £1,300 sat-nav which electrically pops up on top of the dash. The radio’s tiny, fiddly buttons are difficult to see, particularly at night. Similarly the steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio system and cruise control are hidden behind the steering wheel spokes. Peugeot is spearheading the use of glass roofs, and our 308 SE model (along with the GT range-topper) pack a full-length one, with an electrically operated sliding cover. The SE and GT models also boast a clever and discreet air freshener.

The Peugeot 308 is among the most practical cars in its class, with a bigger-than-average 430-litre boot (which rises to 508 with the rear seats folded), even though access is hampered by a high lip. The 308 has large door pockets, although there are fewer spaces for smaller items than we’d hoped for. There’s plenty of room for occupants front and back, and the glass roof (standard on SE and GT models) gives the illusion of even more space. The seats are very supportive and the steering wheel adjusts for reach and height, making a good driving position easy to find.

The 308 has a firm ride, never jarring or uncomfortable, but remarkably compliant making for a car that’s eminently fun to drive on twisty roads. The steering and its feedback are adequate for most drivers, but it fails to excite in the way a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf can. It feels over-assisted and slightly vague, particularly around the straight-ahead position. It is quiet at speed, free from any intrusive wind, engine or road noise.

Six engines are offered in the Peugeot 308: three diesels and three petrols. The petrol units have been co-developed by Peugeot and BMW, and are available as a 1.4 and two 1.6s, offering 95, 120 and 150bhp respectively. The diesels come in two 1.6 variants, producing 90 or 110bhp and the 136bhp 2-litre we tested. The engine’s headline performance figures are a 0-62mph time of 10.1 seconds and a top speed of 129mph. Hardly rocketship performance, but the 2-litre offers good mid-range punch, making overtaking a simple affair.

The 308 range starts at £11,995, but expect the price to creep up when extra options are added to the spec sheet. At £18,145, our well-appointed SE model is on par with many similarly equipped Volkswagen Golfs. Once bought, however, the 308 should be fairly painless: emissions of 146g/km of CO2 place the 2-litre SE into tax band C, which costs £115 per year, while the engine will drink a gallon of diesel every 51.3 miles on average. Only the insurance, falling into group 11 is dearer than we’d expect.

The 308’s predecessor, the 307, performed better than average in terms of the cost and frequency of breakdowns but it has been criticised in owners’ surveys for its reliability. On first impressions the 308 has been massively improved, with a better fit and finish and a range of proven engines.

French cars generally score well in the EuroNCAP crash test programme, and the 308 has followed suit. It scored a full five-star rating for adult occupant protection, and an impressive four stars for child protection. All models get driver, passenger, front side and curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist. Step up to the Sport model for a steering column airbag and electronic stability programme. The range-topping GT model adds tyre pressure monitoring.

Entry level Urban and S models are reasonably equipped, but the spec sheet only begins to look impressive on the Sport model. This adds cruise control, 17-inch alloys, rear electric windows, full body colour-coding, an MP3-ready CD player with black and white screen to the S’s climate control and front fog lamps. The SE model features air freshener, ambient lighting, panoramic glass roof, folding mirrors, fully adjustable front seats, automatic headlamps and wipers, dual-zone climate control and smaller 16-inch alloys. The GT features half leather seats, rear park sensors, xenon headlamps, Bluetooth handsfree kit, a colour screen and 18-inch alloys.

The handsome Peugeot 308 is likely to be bought by style-conscious motorists left cold by its safe-looking rivals. There’s more to the 308 than a sharp suit, although in terms of driver involvement and price, it struggles against the best cars in its class.