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The latest 308 has been well received across Europe, helping to turn things around for Peugeot following some very difficult years where mainstream manufacturers have lost out to both budget and premium brands.
Peugeot has produced some entertaining cars and some very dull cars over recent decades but it has never been synonymous with build quality. We are glad to report Peugeot has worked particularly hard with the 308 to raise expectations and the result is a big step forward in material quality. The dashboard also has a mature and very uncluttered look which indicates that Peugeot is now benchmarking itself against the premium end of the market. To complete the look you need to avoid this entry-level specification, which misses out on the large touch screen.
In addition to a sharp new look, the 308 also gets new engines and an entirely new platform which saves around 140 kg compared to the outgoing model. Peugeot has managed to shed the weight through intelligent design rather than cutting down on space. resulting in good interior space and an excellent 420 litres of boot space.
The most efficient petrol engine is the new Euro 6 compliant 1.2 litre e-THP which, despite having only three cylinders, punches well above its weight. Thanks to the addition of a turbocharger and the latest engine management techniques it produces more torque (154 lb. ft.) than the turbocharged four-cylinder 1.6 THP unit which is both very impressive and very useful in every day driving.
The 308 has a confident and mature look inside and out which signals Peugeot’s desire to lose the cheap and cheerful tag. Despite the improvement in perceived quality it is also lighter than the previous model, more practical and more efficient. When you consider that it is also sensibly priced, it has to be on your long list.
Read our full Peugeot 308 Review
