What is it?
The Peugeot 308 is tremendously important. It may not have a new name, but it represents a colossal investment on Peugeot’s part, and is intended to put the company back on the podium in the C-segment – the market which still claims a third of all sales in Europe. Much of what follows – the new modular platform, a tangible elevation in quality, a barrage of fresh tech – is intended to reassert the manufacturer’s position after a decade in the family hatch doldrums. In the ’90s, Peugeot made hay with the deftly turned 306, which sold almost 450,000 examples in the UK. The previous 308, launched in 2007, barely managed to limp over the 120,000 mark. PSA’s internal restructuring specifically remakes the brand as a Volkswagen competitor, and such numbers will simply not do. Consequently, the Volkswagen Golf has been appraised, gauged and digested, and the all-new 308 formulated to overhaul its head start. The EMP2 platform ought to be key. It’s what the flawed 208 didn’t get, and its improved assembly and wider use of aluminium and composites is the main reason why Peugeot can claim a 140kg reduction in kerb weight over the previous model. It is also the reason why the wheels of the new 308 can be pushed further into the corners of the car’s real estate. The overhangs have shrunk, and a 2.62m wheelbase is now squeezed into a 4.25m-long body, making it one of the most compact cars in the class. It’s also slightly lower and wider than it’s predecessor – with a commensurately lower centre of gravity – and, thanks again to the underfloor platform design, is now far better optimised for aerodynamically. Inside Peugeot has introduced what it calls (preload cringe) i-Cockpit. There are different aspects to this, but, as the name would suggest, the centrepiece is a 9.7-inch touchscreen which significantly reduces the amount of knobs and dials required on the dashboard. In response to specific criticism about the previous 308, storage has been increased, with 435 litres on offer before you lift the boot floor to access 35 litres more. You'd understandably expect funky new powerplants to feature under the bonnet, but for now the 308 makes do with the previous-gen Euro5 compliant engines, with the 1.2-litre VTi and 1.6-litre THP covering the petrol side, and two variants of the 1.6-litre HDi making up the diesels (the more powerful 115bhp version, still capable of 74.3mpg and 98g/km of CO2, is tested here). But early next year the turbocharged version of the e-THP three-pot, as well as the new 1.6 and 2.0-litre BlueHDi (offering a cutting-edge 82g/km and 91mpg) will make their debuts.
Join the debate
Chris576
The pain
The pain of being made to drive something that isn't German. How could you bear it?
I'll make up my mind when I see it, but on the face of it this thing is vastly superior to anything Germany's produced in decades. Mention of the hideous bodywork of the laughable Mercedes A class just shows how bad their uncritical fans have let the Germans get.
Wheretodrive
Would you really? I mean Really
Not sure how a reasoned comment about trim quality should lead into a anti german tirade, must have missed something.
Thing is when all said and done you could not throw your own money at this because you know savage depreciation would mean you would never see it again. Which will of course means it will not be cheap to lease, which is sort of irrelevant due to the fact that in the rather fickle world of company car park politics this brand currently swims with those pesky Korean sharks and suchlike.
My question is what does it do better than a golf? other than not being a golf.
Ride? Golfs ride is pretty good
Interior? Golfs roomy and passes most of the tap tests
Style? I know a golf is derivative but at least its derivative of itself.
I would appreciate input on this otherwise I am just going to buy another Golf as the Greeks are well overdue a bail out.
Do quite like the Mazda 3 though
androo
My question is what does it
My question is what does it do better than a golf? other than not being a golf.
I would appreciate input on this otherwise I am just going to buy another Golf as the Greeks are well overdue a bail out.
Do quite like the Mazda 3 though
[/quote]
I agree about the Mazda 3. Good enough to make a Golf buyer take a second look. Is the 308 good enough to make a Golf buyer think twice? Or just good enough to make a current 308 owner buy the same again? I think I know the answer to that.
Norma Smellons
Fake Golf
If PSA can't make Citroen work, with all its wacky heritage and character, then they have no chance with Peugeot. They are still aping the Germans and discounting like crazy, as Citroen have been doing for years. This is not sustainable and some sort of merger (with Opel) followed by factory closures is surely inevitable. PSA Group (and FIAT) represent the over-capacity in Europe just now. Bland cars like this can't help; however worthy the new 308 is, narrow your eyes and it looks like the old Golf.
Dark Isle
One of my favourite small cars
Firstly - good review! I actually feel like I've test driven the car myself.
Secondly - the interior of the 308 is lovely, and I prefer the exterior of this to the overly fussy Focus and particularly bland Golf. I would prefer something stylish like the Giulietta, though. If that car was fitted with the 308's interior and range of engines, I'd buy one!
artill
OK, so its first priority
OK, so its first priority isnt how it drives. But if it really is a return to gentle and compliant French suspension, then that wonderful news.
But its the interior that will sell the car, and it looks great. Nice not to hear complaints about the dash being seen over the wheel too.
As a fan of the cars Peugeot made in the 80s and 90s its nice to see things improve after the awful 307, slightly less awful last 308, but at the same time Peugeot dont have the same appeal anymore.
Whilst many will be impressed by the big screen, and nice plastics, i remain unconvinced about a single screen replacing all the buttons (i have never struggled to find a button anyway) and really dont want an electric handbrake etc.
But it doesnt matter that i wont be buying one of these, we need many more people to buy PSA cars to ensure their survival, and it looks as though this will go a long way towards that.
catnip
THis is an unusually easy to
This is an unusually easy to read review from Mr Cacket, though I do miss some of his more humorous terms, such as "gadget ladled" from the recent Megane review.
I like the look of this 308, its classy and solid, far more appealling than the droopy-nosed new Golf, and the fussy, contrived lines of the A-class. The interior looks great too, though I think its a mistake to incorporate climate controls into a touch screen system as this appears to do. Even journalists are starting to complain that this takes your eyes off the road for too long, and that intuitive rotary controls are superior.
Its a shame about the steering, but the relaxing ride quality will appeal to many. And Peugeot aren't the only manufacturer to release a new model with existing engines, awaiting new power units in the near future.
AutoChomp
Wont be to everyones tastes
Wont be to everyones tastes but I love the minimalistic interior
Soren Lorenson
Not Forgiven
I still haven't forgiven Peugeot for my 307 SW HDI. A terrible terrible car.
This looks OK. But there are so many cars that look great that I doubt they will sell many.
However I also said that about the flawed 308 and our town is swarming with the horrid things.
Wanos
I find it strange....
Why is it a review about a C segment family hatchback focuses on driver enjoyment? It says the ride will be good for long journeys and is comfortable like Peugeots of old. Isn't that enough if you want a car like this? If you were after the sporty GTi version(if they ever do one) then fair point, but for the average family man or woman who want to take their kids to school and do the shopping they don't want to be getting the back end out at every roundabout. They would probably but it for the comfortable ride, good looks and quality interior. If I was after a car in this segment then this would be at the top of my list.
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