Britain's best affordable driver's car: Peugeot 308 GTi versus Seat Leon Cupra

Down at road level the Peugeot feels very good indeed, but it’s let down by a handful of things that should be simpler to get right. For example, the gearshift is rubbery, the steering is a little vague and the seats don’t hold you in position, all of which means you have to work unnaturally hard in order to tap into the brilliance of the engine and chassis. 

The hot hatch formula used to be a simple one: drop in a potent engine and fit stiffer springs. Today that approach just doesn’t cut it and most modern hot hatches feel as though they’ve had care and expertise heaped upon them. The Leon Cupra sits somewhere in the middle. It isn’t necessarily a half-baked hot hatch, but it never transcends its humdrum roots to feel like a brilliantly well- executed performance car. 

The way the front axle leaps up and down under load is perhaps the surest sign that the Seat isn’t
a world-class hot hatch. By way
 of contrast, the Peugeot gets its power down much more cleanly. And whereas really effective hot hatchbacks seem to hunker down onto the road when driven quickly, the Cupra always floats above it. 

On a dry track, the Leon is so limited by its Pirelli P Zeroes that you simply don’t feel inclined to continue for lap after lap. All that happens is the car pushes into understeer on turn-in, then scrabbles for traction
at the exit. The 308’s Michelin
 Pilot Super Sports feel much better on a circuit – although they are compromised on a damp surface. 

The Peugeot gets the nod over the Seat, then, but allowing it to progress into the final shootout, where it’ll go up against the very best hot hatches currently on sale, feels like throwing a lamb to the lions. 

Second opinion - Matt Saunders

This was the first time I’ve driven a 308 GTi in anger on a track, and I was pleased to find a few hidden depths. The way the soft-ish suspension rides kerbs is to be admired, and there’s much better handling agility and adjustability than the muted steering leads to you expect. 

Peugeot 308 GTi 

Fine chassis and engine let down by poor steering and seats 

Price £29,405
4

Engine 4cyls, 1598cc, turbocharged, petrol

Power 266bhp at 6000rpm 

Torque 243lb ft at 1900rpm

Gearbox 6-spd manual

Kerb weight 1205kg

0-62mphʉ۬6.0sec (claimed)

Top speed 155mph

Economyʉ۬47.0mpg (combined)

CO2/tax band  139g/km, 26% 

Seat Leon Cupra 

Fast, but much less satisfying at the limit than the competition 

Price £29,840
4

Engine 4cyls, 1984cc, turbocharged, petrol

Power 296bhp at 5500-6200rpm

Torque 258lb ft at 1800-5500

Gearbox 6-spd manual

Kerb weight 1395kg

0-62mphʉ۬5.8sec (claimed)

Top speedʉ۬155mph


Economy 40.9mpg (combined) 

CO2/tax band 158g/km, 28% 

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