Itâs been a long time since Peugeot used TV, radio and magazine advertising to crow about the strength of its lion-like models, but those of us who can remember when it did might well see a parallel between its relative commercial tidings of the late 1980s and early 1990s and today. This company is incrementally shifting itself closer towards pseudo-premium brand territory by launching ever more chiselled-looking cars with inviting, materially appealing interiors, powered by modern engines that keep them relevant. In the UK and elsewhere, it has reclaimed much of the market share that it lost to the German brands through the mid-2000s. However, in using compact SUVs and electric offerings to fuel so much of its rise, it has yet to really rejuvenate the spirit that brought us those great-handling hatchbacks and saloons of the 1980s: cars like the 205, 405, 406, 309 and 306. This week, we find out if the companyâs all-new mid-sized hatchback, the Peugeot 308, can bring a clearer dynamic flavour of the old Peugeot back. This is the second time that the firm has recycled the 308 model nomenclature for its VW Golf-segment entrant, and it has also recycled and overhauled the old versionâs vehicle architecture, while honouring the 308âs relatively diminutive proportions within a class where much larger cars are now more and more common. But even so, this car is no stranger to new technology. It is the first 308 to tout plug-in hybrid powertrains, and will be the first to go all-electric too, in the shape of next yearâs e-308. For those who prefer to keep things simple under the bonnet, however, Peugeot is offering both petrol and diesel combustion options â and itâs the more traditional petrol we have opted to test here. Peugeot 308 range at a glance Peugeotâs UK-market line-up for the 308 has combustion-engined models from around ÂŁ25,000. The price jump from a regular petrol to a plug-in hybrid is a hefty ÂŁ6500, some or all of which you might be able to recoup through lower costs of ownership. An SW estate costs about ÂŁ1200 more than a hatchback. Trim levels start with Active Premium, and go up through Allure, Allure Premium, GT and GT Premium. Mid-spec Allure Premium gets you 17in alloy wheels, wireless device charging and smartphone mirroring as standard. Engines Power From Peugeot 308 Puretech Active Premium* 129bhp ÂŁ24,635 Peugeot 308 BlueHDI Active Premium 129bhp ÂŁ26,035 Peugeot 308 Hybrid 180Allure 177bhp ÂŁ33,035 Peugeot 308 Hybrid 225 GT 221bhp ÂŁ37,235 *Engine variant tested Peugeot 308 FAQs Is the Peugeot 308 available as a plug-in or electric? The latest Peugeot 308 will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain later in 2022. Available with either 178bhp or 222bhp, each version uses the same petrol engine and electric motor combination and claims up to 37 miles of electric range. Peugeot has also revealed that an all-electric e-308 will join the range in 2023 and promises a range of around 250 miles on a single charge. What are the main rivals to the Peugeot 308? Buyers are spoiled for choice in the compact family hatchback class, so the Peugeot 308 has no shortage or rivals. The toughest of the lot is the Volkswagen Golf, which feels a touch more upmarket, is more composed to drive and has plug-in hybrid options. The Volkswagen shares its architecture and engines with the more spacious and sensible Skoda Octavia and the more stylish and sharper-handling Seat Leon. The new Vauxhall Astra is closely related to the Peugeot but looks more eye-catching, while the agile and engaging Ford Focus is more fun to drive. How much power does the Peugeot 308 have? Peugeot has kept it simple with the Peugeot 308 engine line-up, with the result that both the petrol and diesel have the same power output. The turbocharged three-cylinder petrol and diesel deliver an identical 128bhp, although the latter has more torque, with 221lb ft compared to 170lb ft. The plug-in hybrid units serve-up the most power, with a choice of between 178bhp or 222bhp, the latter capable of completing the 0-62mph sprint in seconds. Unfortunately, there will be no hot 308 GTi version of the current car. What choices of gearbox are there for the Peugeot 308? Surprisingly for a relatively affordable family hatchback the only gearbox option for the Peugeot 308 is an eight-speed automatic. Unlike the old version thereâs no manual transmission, even on the entry-level versions. Known as the EAT8, the gearbox is effective enough, but it lacks the speed and smoothness of the best twin-clutch automatics, serving up slightly ponderous gear changes even when trying to drive quickly. Where is the Peugeot 308 built? The current Peugeot 308 only went on sale earlier this year, and so far production is limited to the brandâs factory in Mulhouse, France. However, itâs likely that the car will be built in other plants around the world, as the previous generation machine was built in locations as far flung as Wuhan in China and Gurun in Malaysia. There was even a suggestion that the 308 and closely related Vauxhall Astra could be assembled in the UK. How many generations of Peugeot 308 have there been? Now in its third generation, the Peugeot 308 was one of the first models to benefit from the brandâs decision to stick with the same model number, rather than change it for each all-new version. Previously, Peugeotâs compact family hatch had been known as the 309, which was replaced by the 306 and then the 307. The first 308 arrived in 2007 and was replaced by the second generation machine in 2013. Technical specs Model tested: Peugeot 308 Puretech 130 GT Engine: 3 cyls in line, 1199cc, turbocharged, petrol Transmission: 8-speed automatic Driveline layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive Model tested Peugeot 308 Puretech 130 GT View all specs and rivals Engine 3 cyls in line, 1199cc, turbocharged, petrol Transmission 8-speed automatic Driveline layout Front-engine, front-wheel drive Power 129bhp at 5500-6000rpm Fuel economy Power 129bhp at 5500-6000rpm Fuel economy GoodRare blend of supple body control and agile, fluent handlingRefined, tractable, economical petrol engineEvident progress has been made on the interiorâs material appealBadUpper trim levels are pricey, as are PHEV powertrainsBack seats show little evidence of extra passenger spaceDigital cabin technology is ambitious but could work better Used cars for sale NewsletterGet all the best car news, reviews and opinions direct to your inbox three times a week. You can unsubscribe via any email we send See our full privacy notice for more details Subscribe Never miss an issue of the world's oldest car magazine â subscribe to Autocar magazine today. Subscribe Peugeot 308 First drivesNew 308 SW. Plug-In Hybrid, Electric, Petrol, Diesel. New 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered. MODEL PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS;
Nov 05, 2020 at 10:35am ET The current-generation Peugeot 308 is due for a significant refresh. It first arrived back in 2013, and spy photos from the last few months have shown that its development is coming along nicely, though we havenât seen much of it. A new batch shows the hatchback in a new black plastic wrap, as opposed to the swirly camouflaged itâs been spotted in, revealing more of the carâs design underneath. It appears the photos show a production-ready example with a silver exterior, the wrap hiding the finer details of the modelâs overall design. Its new look is paired with the companyâs EMP2 platform, increasing both passenger and cargo space. The wrap also reveals a bit of the design, providing a fuller look at the taillights, which appear to sit above a stylized rear bumper. At the front, we can see the bumperâs design hiding underneath, showing a fascia that looks similar to that of the Peugeot 508 with the vertical daytime running lights. Gallery: 2021 Peugeot 308 Spy Photos Thereâll likely be a range of powertrains, though weâre most excited about the prospect of a Peugeot Sports Engineering variant, serving as a successor for the 308 GTi. Rumor has it that the model will feature all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain, just like the 508 PSE. The hot hatch could produce around 300 horsepower (223 kilowatts). See More 308 Spy Photos: We expect Peugeot to reveal the new 308 in the first have of next year, though a precise date remains unknown. Peugeot isnât a well-known brand in the US, but thatâs likely to change as the company still plans for its US return in 2023 and its partnership with FCA. We donât know if Peugeotâs US plans include the 308 hatchback at a time when consumers would love the companyâs crossovers and SUVs, though weâd be happy to see it rebadged under an FCA brand like Dodge. Source: CarPix
June 18, 2020 at 13:00. Peugeot recently updated the 308 compact family by adding the 10-inch i-Cockpit digital instrument panel, a new paint finish, and two new alloy wheel designs. But those are
âș Great interior, clever infotainment systemâș Hybrid powertrains offer good performanceâș Driving position is rubbish if youâre tall Peugeot is going great guns at the minute. The company has shaken off the fusty image it curated at the turn of the 21st century. Now, itâs churning out interesting, quality vehicles that give leading family car brands like Volkswagen and Ford a run for their money. The 308 is Peugeotâs latest effort. It rivals the likes of the Hyundai i30, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3, as well as long-standing hatchback favourites such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. Its opponents are plentiful and talented â so does this new Pug offer anything to tempt buyers away from the established competition? On paper, it certainly seems so. Peugeot offers the 308 with a good range of engines, including an eager petrol, an economical diesel and two plug-in hybrid powertrains. Thereâs even a pure-electric model on the way in 2023. It also looks great, the interior is well-designed and Peugeotâs new 10-inch infotainment system is up there with the best in the business. However, after spending some time behind the wheel, we found a couple of foibles that could affect the carâs appeal for a lot of buyers. You canât leave us hanging there. Spit it out Fine. I was planning on easing into the criticism gently, but Iâll get the worst of it out of the way now. The 308âs driving position is appalling if youâre any taller than five foot ten. The seat is mounted far too high and the steering wheel sits way too low. The wheel is also too small, which makes it difficult to see the gauge cluster. As I shall now explain. If you raise the steering wheel up to its highest setting so itâs a comfortable height for your shoulders, the upper rim completely obscures the dials and you canât see how fast youâre going. Try explaining that one to plod after blazing through your local town at 50mph. This forces you to adopt a very unergonomic high seat, low wheel driving position, which throws up a whole different set of problems. If you brake while navigating a junction, for example, your hands clatter into your knees which stops you from getting around the bend. Infuriatingly, I couldnât find a happy medium between the two extremes. Sounds like this is your fault for being a strange shape Thatâs entirely plausible. But there are plenty of folk shaped like me that will run into the same problem â so my biggest piece of advice is to negotiate a good test drive before you sign on the dotted line to make sure that the Peugeot 308âs cabin fits your body. The rest of the 308âs interior is great. Quality is excellent, with lots of soft-touch materials, sturdy switchgear and fancy fabric trim strips for the dash. The infotainment system is a corker, too. The screen is as crisp and fast as a modern smartphone, and thereâs a strip of five customisable shortcut buttons mounted on a dedicated panel below to make it easier to navigate the unitâs plethora of functions. Peugeot calls them âi-Togglesâ and they can be programmed to jump to almost any function on the touchscreen that your imagination can conjure. If you wanted to, you could have one that tunes the stereo to Finnish folk metal, one that whacks the air-con on full and another that programmes the sat-nav to your local livestock market. Clever stuff. But whatâs it like to drive? Honestly? Itâs a bit hit and miss. The suspension works perfectly fine when youâre cruising on a smooth A-road or a motorway. But, chuck the Peugeot 308 down a twisty back road, and chinks start to appear in its armour. For starters, itâs too stiff for its purpose. In my eyes, the Peugeot 308 isnât a sporty car. You donât get as much feedback as you do from a Ford Focus or Mazda 3 and, with that laid back driving position, it should have been pitched as a comfy cruiser rather than a B-road barnstormer. But itâs sprung like a hot hatchback. The dampers donât have a lot of travel and they canât react quickly to changes, which means the wheels crash into potholes hard rather than easing into them gently. The problem gets worse if youâre on a bumpy corner, where the stiff suspension will unsettle the car. It isnât dangerous, but it doesnât encourage you to drive spiritedly. Peugeot has also fitted the 308 with very quick steering in an effort to make the car feel agile. The effect is a combination of the low gearing on the rack and the tiny hexagonal steering wheel, which only requires a quarter turn to navigate most corners. The setup works very well on the petrol model because itâs the lightest model in the line-up. It only weighs 1,288kgs, so it turns in keenly. The plug-in hybrid models arenât quite as sharp because of the added heft (300kgs in total) of the hybrid system. Donât get me wrong, itâs a lot sharper than rivals such as the Volkswagen e-Hybrid and the Mercedes A 250 e â itâs just not quite as good as the pure-petrol version. But these are the sacrifices we make for low company tax rates, I suppose. Thereâs also a slightly counter-intuitive benefit to the PHEV system. It smooths out the ride a little and helps to keep the car settled over uneven surfaces. The lighter petrol model is constantly moving under you if youâre tackling a B-road with gusto. Tell us more about the 308âs engines. Whatâs to like? The three-cylinder petrol unit is easily the best unit in the current line-up. Itâs a willing little unit, serving up 128bhp and 170lb/ft of torque, which is just enough to make the 308 feel nippy. Itâs also very refined for a three-cylinder, and it even sounds good when you set loose your inner hooligan and mash the throttle through the firewall. The diesel is, well, a diesel. Itâs a bit rattly at idle, although it smooths out nicely once youâre up to speed. Peugeot says it develops 129bhp and 221lb/ft of torque, but it never feels as fast as that torque figure would suggest. In-gear acceleration is lethargic, even if you put the engine in sport mode. The 308âs pair of plug-in hybrid powertrains are refined when driven sensibly, but theyâre writing cheques they canât cash in terms of efficiency. Both are based on a four-cylinder petrol engine and Peugeot claims theyâll achieve upwards of 200mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. Spoiler alert: they wonât. Drive with a light foot and youâll average more than 50mpg â especially if youâve got a full battery. The powertrain can tootle around on electric power alone for 35â40 miles, meaning youâd likely not need to burn a drop of fuel during your morning commute. However, if you run the battery flat youâll struggle to achieve 30mpg, because the petrol engine needs to work hard to haul around the dead weight of the hybrid system. If you donât plug them in, the hybrids will keep the engine turning to charge the battery. This burns more fuel and negatively impacts your mpg figure. To be fair to Peugeot, we did have that setting engaged when we tested the car, but thatâs only because the previous journalist had left it with a flat battery. Make sure to plug them in, then. More importantly â are they quick? Sort of â but like everything with the Peugeot 308, thereâs a caveat. You have a choice of two power outputs. The cheaper model produces 178bhp, while the more expensive variant develops 222bhp. The former is priced from ÂŁ33,035 while the latter starts from ÂŁ37,235, as itâs only available with Peugeotâs most expensive GT and GT Premium specifications. Both versions have the same 236lb/ft torque output, which means the pricier model hardly feels any faster than the cheaper one. The performance figures back up our observations, as the 222bhp PHEV is only one tenth of a second quicker from 0â62mph than the 178bhp model. Is that really worth the extra cash? Neither like being hurried, either. Plant the throttle hard to overtake, and thereâs a noticeable delay while the eight-speed automatic gearbox figures out which cog it needs. Then thereâs another pause before the electric motor kicks in. You wait a total of two seconds between pressing the throttle and accelerating, by which point your window of opportunity has passed. The remedy is to drop back and roll into the throttle gently. But wait. Just before you fill my inbox up with âI told you soâ quips about the drawbacks of electrified petrol engines, consider that both 308 PHEVs have low Benefit-in-Kind rates of eight percent, which makes them a very tempting prospect for company car buyers. Road tax is low, too, as their official CO2 emissions figures range between 24 and 30g/km. What about boot space? Itâs good news here, because the 308 is one of the more practical cars in its class. The petrol and diesel versions have 412 litres of boot space with the rear bench in place, but that figure drops to 361 litres with the plug-in hybrid powertrain. The battery lives under the boot floor which eats up space. Fold the bench flat, and the boot capacity of the non-electrically 308 swells to 1,323 litres. The PHEVs offer a maximum of 1,271 litres. That sounds like a big practicality penalty, but thatâs before you consider that figure is still 34 litres more than you get in the pure combustion-engined Golf. If you need the extra space, you can always opt for the 308 SW estate. It offers 608 litres of space with the rear bench in place and 1,634 litres with the seats stowed. It also has a longer wheelbase than the hatchback, which liberates a little more leg room for those in the rear and benefits the carâs ride quality. Verdict Iâm forced to be less objective than usual with the Peugeot 308, as its suitability to your lifestyle is ultimately determined by your body shape and preferred driving position. Iâm tall, so I couldnât entertain the shapes the seat and wheel were contorting me into â and I hated not being able to see the gauges when I made myself comfortable. A shorter driver will probably find it easier to live with. There are a lot of things the 308 does well. It has a huge boot, for example, and its build quality impresses. Peugeotâs new infotainment setup is also a huge step up over its previous systems and the i-Toggle widget bar makes it easy to operate all of the carâs cabin functions from the touchscreen. Thereâs a good range of engines, too. The petrol is definitely the sweet spot in the line-up, but the PHEVs make a compelling argument for the amount of performance they offer and their low BiK ratings. Theyâre not as efficient in the real world as Peugeot claims, but the same can be said of most PHEVs systems. Weâre looking forward to driving the new electric model soon. With 250 miles of range and a 154bhp electric motor up front, it could leap frog the petrol as the pick of the range.
full description and technical specifications. gasoline engines: PEUGEOT 308 SW 1.2L PureTech 6MT (110 HP) PEUGEOT 308 SW 1.2L PureTech 6MT (130 HP) PEUGEOT 308 SW 1.2L PureTech 8AT (130 HP
An âSWâ estate version of the Peugeot 308 has been revealed, bringing a little more practicality to the new-generation model. Read on for full details. Peugeot 308 SW revealed Estate version of stylish new hatchback 608-litre boot capacity Electric tailgate as standard 10-inch infotainment system Semi-autonomous tech Plug-in hybrid versions available On sale late 2021 This is the new Peugeot 308 SW, the estate version of the recently-revealed new generation of the hatchback. It goes up against alternatives such as the Volkswagen Golf Estate and Ford Focus Estate, equipped with plug-in hybrid engine options and semi-autonomous driver-assistance tech â oh, and the usual good looks youâd expect from a Peugeot. Itâs no real shock that the Peugeot 308 SW is visually similar to the hatchback, but thatâs certainly not a bad thing. It has the same sharp headlights with fang-like daytime running lights seeping from either side, and both flank a near-identical grille that houses a new Peugeot logo. The side profile is different from the hatchback the SWâs extended roofline and larger boot, though design details at the rear are pretty similar. That includes the claw effect tailights, gloss black rear trim and chrome fake-exhaust tips. 2022 Peugeot 308 SW interior and infotainment Just as with the hatchback, the Peugeot 308 SW gets the French manufacturerâs i-Cockpit interior layout. That includes the tiny squared-off steering wheel, a digital driverâs display plus a 10-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, too, as well as coming with an âOK Peugeotâ voice assistant. Boot space is up to 608 litres in the SW, too, with an electric tailgate fitted as standard. 2022 Peugeot 308 SW semi-autonomous tech You can have your Peugeot 308 SW equipped with a semi-autonomous driving system. As well as adaptive cruise control thatâs capable of managing its speed and distance from other cars on the motorway, the 308 SW can suggest when you should make an overtake. 2022 Peugeot 308 SW engines and plug-in hybrids Youâve got a range of engines to pick from for the Peugeot 308 SW, including two plug-in hybrid options. The latter consists of either a 225hp or 180hp engine linked up to a 110hp electric motor. Theyâll manage 36 and 37 miles of electric-only driving respectively. Not ready for a hybrid? You can pick between a petrol engine or a diesel, with all engines linked up to an eight-speed automatic. 2022 Peugeot 308 SW price and release date No word yet on when the Peugeot 308 SW will hit showrooms, but expect to see it towards the end of 2021 at the earliest. Itâll carry a slight premium over the hatchback, with pricing above ÂŁ25,000 as a likely starting points. Want to keep up to date with the latest news? Sign up for the carwow newsletter by entering your email address below to receive regular updates featuring our latest videos, reviews, news stories and blog posts from across the world of cars. You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time. By clicking the submit button you agree to our T&Cs and confirm you have read our Privacy Policy.
SHARP AND ATTRACTIVE DESIGN. Sensual and sharp, the new Peugeot 308 continues the brand's commitment to striking design. With bodywork that closely follows the structure of the car, the new 308 has a sleek and dynamic look. With a 55mm longer wheelbase there's more room for rear seat passengers, while this extra length also combines with a 20mm
Having been around since 2013, the Peugeot 308 is one of the oldest cars sold in Europeâs hugely challenging compact hatchback segment. From the VW Golf and Renault Megane to the Kia Ceed and Ford Focus, virtually all of its rivals are much newer, but things are looking up for the aging French hatch. A new generation is earmarked for a 2021 release, so weâre trying to predict its radical design approach with our weekly speculative rendering. Our design exercise is more than just a shot in the dark as it takes after the sharp-looking Instinct concept unveiled in 2017, an edgy estate that wowed the audience at the Geneva Motor Show that year. It was among the first cars from Peugeot to get the swanky LED daytime running lights that extended on the bumper, a design motif that has since been applied to several production models. Gallery: 2021 Peugeot 308 Not only will the design go through massive changes, but so will the underpinnings. The revamped 308 will switch to the EMP2 platform and that will enable the possibility to offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain alongside the conventional petrol and diesel engines. A fully electric version with the GTi badge could happen down the line, along with a crossover version to slot between the 2008 and 3008. New 308 coming: Weâve heard through the grapevine a spicy Peugeot Sport Engineered variant is in the pipeline in the same vein as the 508 PSE. Itâs said to adopt an all-wheel-drive layout with the combustion engine driving the front axle and an electric motor powering the rear wheels. This setup would reportedly enable a combined output of more than 300 bhp, thus allowing Peugeot to compete with the upcoming VW Golf R. The next 308 will once again be sold in five-door hatchback and estate flavors, with previously available body styles like the three-door hatch and CC hardtop convertible unlikely to return due to weak demand. By: Adrian Padeanu Published by: Adrian Padeanu
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