MOTORING REVIEW: Peugeot’s new 308 hatch bucks SUV trend

PEUGEOT'S new 308 small family car is the latest manifestation of the hugely successful nameplate with more than seven million worldwide sales over the generations - the first unveiled in 2007 as a replacement for the 307, the second in 2013 (crowned European Car of the Year 2014), and the third in 2021 which saw the inclusion of a hybrid powertrain.

The 308 has always been regarded as one of the best-looking small cars on the market but with this latest model the Lion Brand have dared to change the body shape quite dramatically. The car looks dynamic from every angle. Powerful and simply gorgeous! The new design bucks the current trend of upscaling cars to Crossovers or SUVs.

The change in style includes a 55mm extended wheelbase that stretches the car’s silhouette and offers more space for rear passengers and a boot of 412 litres that can expand to 1,323 litres with rear seats down. There’s another 28 litres of storage space beneath the floor.

The 20mm height reduction gives the hatchback a sleeker almost coupe-like silhouette but means tall people will duck their heads getting in and out. Actual rear head and leg room, though, is good.

The car is also the first vehicle to bear the new Peugeot lion shield logo, displayed on the radiator grille and has the 308 monogram across the bonnet. All variants are equipped with LED headlights complemented by huge vertical LED daytime running lights as well as a long list of standard items.

The interior is absolutely top notch in its design and execution. Premium materials are evident throughout. I liked the strip of ambient lighting on the doors, the green stitching on the steering wheel and seats which are both comfy and supportive and come with manual adjustments.

All information essential to the driver is shown beautifully in the new 10-inch instrument panel, located at eye level. In the top GT grade it moves into the third dimension with the 3D i-Cockpit with several display modes (Navigation, radio/media, driver assistance, energy flow etc). I have to raise my seat to gain the best driving position and was just about able to view the digital speed in the screen above the (heatable) compact steering wheel. A row of toggles below the 10-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are for your preferred short cuts for air con settings, telephone contact, radio stations. The system also includes a new digital head-up display.

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My GT specced car had four USB C sockets and a wireless charging pad. (Other specs are Active and Allure - all come with generous levels of specification).

While there was no blind spot alert, there was a good reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Drive modes are Sport, Hybrid and Electric.

While 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesel options are offered, my latest review car was the 1.6 Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) petrol that produces 150bhp but the PHEV system of a 81kW electric motor and 12.4kWh electric battery provides a combined output of 180bhp and 360 Nm of torque. All engines are matched to Peugeot’s excellent e-EAT8-speed automatic transmission.

This version was in tax Band A1 of €140 and priced from €46,190. A more powerful, and expensive, 225hp version is also offered on the GT version.

On the road, I found the 1.6 308 PHEV to be a very refined car with plenty of power on tap with that extra kick from the electric motor over the 1.2 petrol. Gear changes are smooth. Another benefit is that you can travel up to 60kms in electric mode only which will suit those with shorter work commutes. But to do this, you must recharge the battery every night.

Using a Wall Box 7.4 kW, a full charge takes 3hrs 25mins; from a high-power socket (16A, 220V) it takes 3hrs 55mins, and from a standard socket (8 A) a full charge takes 7hrs with the single-phase (3.7 kW) on-board charger.

The 308 for Europe received four stars from Euro NCAP in 2022.

An all-electric version is expected later this year.