Peugeot 308 Hatchback (2025 - ) review

Every Peugeot 308 is going to be light on the pennies to run. This is because all versions have some form of electrification with the line-up consisting of the 308 Hybrid, 308 Plug-In Hybrid and all-electric E-308. Nothing much has changed with the former of these, but both the Plug-In Hybrid and the E-308 have gained bigger battery packs for longer legs. The Plug-In version can now go 12 miles further than before, providing up to 53 miles of driving without switching on its petrol engine. But, as ever with a PHEV, treat the published three-figure fuel-economy returns with a gigantic heap of salt.

The main issue with this generation of Peugeot 308 revolves around flaky infotainment systems, though this should be ironed out by this point. Meanwhile Peugeot itself has taken strides to improve its reliability in recent years. Curiously, both Vauxhall and Citroën – both related to Peugeot and using the same hardware as Peugeot too – seem to perform better in customer satisfaction surveys.

Peugeot loads a lot of the expected advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) into the 308, with even base-spec Allure cars featuring lots of helpful aids. That said, the 308 was tested by Euro NCAP when it was fresh out in 2022, and it only bagged a four-star rating – with strangely low scores for the adult occupant, vulnerable road users and safety assist disciplines. It’s not actively unsafe, of course, but other rivals in this class will have full five-star awards if that gives you added peace of mind.

The ace in the Peugeot 308 Plug-In Hybrid’s pack is how comfortable and refined it is to drive. Rare are the occasions you sense much detail at all about the road surface, while the suppression of both wind and tyre noise is first rate. Whether in town on craggy streets, rolling along faster-flowing open roads, or hammering down the motorway at higher speeds, the Peugeot is always a serene machine to travel in. It also has front seats which have been approved by a German back health specialist, so the driver and passenger alongside will be happy. It’s just a shame, then, that rear-seat space is not quite as generous – head- and legroom are both adequate, rather than amazing.

Peugeot 308 buyers will enjoy at least 17-inch alloys, a fully digital instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment screen, LED headlights, rear parking sensors and a high-def reversing camera, among much more, while grander GT and GT Premium trims really bring the luxury toys. It’s the two pricier specs which get the full-width light-up band in the grille and illuminated front logo – a first for Peugeot – while most affordable Allure goes without. E-308s tend to get some specification ‘bonuses’ compared to the two versions fitted with combustion engines, such as larger wheels, while those wanting more boot space and practicality from their 308 can opt for the SW instead of the hatch. SW, in this case, is just a fancy two-letter way of saying ‘estate’.

The larger battery and greater electric-driving capabilities of the Peugeot 308 Plug-In Hybrid are the main talking points as part of this update, and very welcome upgrades they are too. However, previously the Peugeot had two PHEVs in its line-up – with two different power outputs – and while the new variant is more potent than the lesser of its predecessors, it’s still a performance step down from the old flagship model. In a bizarre move, Peugeot has dropped its perfectly serviceable old eight-speed automatic for the Plug-In Hybrid and fitted it with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission instead. Despite this, the powertrain in the 308 Plug-In Hybrid works sweetly enough, although the 1.6-litre petrol engine makes a slightly unpleasant synthetic noise when accelerating in Normal and Sport modes.