Smooth operator
the 308 is another fantastic looker from the pens of peugeot’s designers
Finally, I’m over the wheel. I used to get annoyed with the flat top and bottomed steering wheel that Peugeot first fitted to the 208 a few years ago.
Too much time needed to be spent fiddling with steering column and seat adjustment to find the optimum driving position for my liking.
Peugeot fits this wheel to the 508 saloon and estate, both of which look absolutely fantastic, and if I was buying a new estate car tomorrow I wouldn’t look at a BMW or Audi. I like the 508 so much that I can forgive it the steering wheel. And I’m willing to live with it in the new 308, another great looking car from the pen of Peugeot’s designers.
It doesn’t look quite as good as the 508, but it’s pretty sharp all the same. And Peugeot makes it in some very cool colours.
This new 308 sits on the latest version of the EMP2 platform which will also be used on the new Vauxhall Astra – which looks stylish too.
like the Astra, the 308 will be available as a pure EV – but not until 2023. Meanwhile, we have the choice of conventional petrol and diesel engines plus a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
We’ve driven both a petrol and PHEV but the latter was in 308 SW estate form, and we’ll be dealing with that car later on this month.
So here we have the 308 in GT trim with the 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo engine producing 130PS. We’re not getting cars with manual gearboxes so like all UK 308s, this car has an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Other trim levels available are Active Premium, then Allure Premium and GT Premium. The price for our car is £28,650. One of the striking features is the 3D instrument panel but, like 3D movies, Peugeot’s digital panel doesn’t quite deliver on the promise.
Having information stacked on various levels doesn’t make it easier to read but it’s a gimmick that can be lived with. I wonder how many extra semi-conductors it uses?
Graphics on the entertainment system are crisp and clear, and there are piano keys for the most commonly used functions.
The wheelbase has been stretched by 55mm and as a result there’s plenty of legroom both front and back. There’s a 412-litre boot, which is competitive against rivals, and a further 34 litres of storage space in various cubbyholes.
The seats are comfortable and the ride is impressively smooth. Mind you, we were driving the car on
French roads which are considerably better than ours.
Peugeot reckons that about half of 308 customers will choose this powertrain, the rest spread between the PHEV and diesel. The three-cylinder engine has plenty of power, makes an interesting noise and works well with the extremely smooth automatic gearbox.
Peugeot quotes a combined fuel consumption of 43.5-52.1 and you’ll probably achieve just under 50mpg in practice.
Most critics flag up the Ford Focus as being the best hatchback to drive, and while I wouldn’t argue with that, I do question how important that is to most customers. It is with a hot hatch but not necessarily with family transport.
Whatever, the new 308 is surefooted, has accurate steering and is more than quick enough.
Styling for me is more vital since it provides that feelgood factor when you walk up to your car and you’re chuffed with your purchasing decision.
I’d be very happy to have a new 308 outside my house. The big question is what will the new Vauxhall Astra be like when it arrives?
Since it uses the same platform you might assume it’ll be very similar – but it doesn’t always turn out that way.