Peugeot 308 Review

When the Peugeot 308 first hit the roads, it was seen as an ugly duckling. But with a European Car of the Year award in 2014, it was clear that the French carmaker had been working hard to change that perception with the second generation. Now, we have the latest update on the third generation, and from first impressions, Peugeot looks to have finally succeeded. Available as a five-door hatch or SW estate form, the new Peugeot 308 is a beautiful swan of a car. 

However, competing against titans like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class, Ford Focus and VW Golf, can the 308 hold its own? Let’s dive into the details and find out.

Design

For many years, Peugeot was comfortably one of the drabbest carmakers in terms of design. No more. The Peugeot 308 is now one of the best-looking hatchbacks money can buy. The headlights feature an always-on claw-shaped light, giving it an aggressive pizzazz that sets it apart on the road.

With 412L of boot space, it’s quite sizeable for a hatchback, while the Peugeot 308 SW estate offers up to 608L with the seats up! From the chrome faux-exhaust pipes and tripled taillights to the signature grille that looks like space at warp speed, this car’s aesthetics writes a lot of cheques that the interior can thankfully cash.

The most innovative aspect of the Peugeot 308 is how its trims are separated. You get the same materials and features no matter what you drive. But what changes is the space you are afforded, so even at the base model, it still feels premium.

Interior

The Peugeot 308 interior is a marvel of space-age design, featuring a bevvy of hexagonal shapes and sharp angles, even on the door mirrors, which take an irregular hexagonal shape. The square steering wheel adds a unique touch, making every drive feel distinctively bang-up-to-the-minute.

No car has ever made the concept of changing gears so effortless. The centre console is littered with futuristic toggle switches, allowing you to change your drive mode and even your gears with a flick of a switch. The smartly-designed cup holders fit a range of sizes, and the phone storage bay is cleverly placed to keep it out of sight, encouraging real conversation.

What’s more, the touchscreen infotainment system is uniquely designed with a hybrid of touch icons and physical buttons, doubling the amount of control you have at your disposal when you need to quickly switch from Spotify to your satellite navigation.

EV Performance

The PHEV edition of the Peugeot 308 boasts a staggering economy of 281 miles per gallon, and lets you go up to 44 miles on electric power alone. This makes it perfect for those short city commutes or running errands without the worry of fuel consumption, and generally a fantastic all-rounder.

The EV version offers a range of 257 miles, and with the 54kWh engine, the charging time can give you 60 miles of range in just 12 minutes. An incredibly practical option that allows for quick top-ups during busy schedules, ensuring you’re always ready to go.

Drive

The electric motor is exceptionally quiet, allowing the 308 to glide along effortlessly. It’s a high-performance vehicle that makes every journey smooth and enjoyable. Combining cutting-edge technology with intuitive controls, the model is an utter pleasure to drive, whether you’re navigating city streets or cruising on the motorway.

Final Verdict

If you’re in the market for a luxurious-feeling and efficient hatchback, the Peugeot 308 should be loud on your radar. In a crowded hatchback field, its innovative design, practical features and high performance make it a top contender.

If you’re convinced that the Peugeot 308 is the right car to define your next few years of driving, cars2buy is the UK’s number one destination for top-of-the-line lease deals from trusted dealerships. With our transparent service, we collect the very best Peugeot 308 lease offers from across the web so that you can compare, search, filter and find the deal that suits you. We streamline the process of acquiring a brand new car on a lease, sparing them the exhaustive effort of sifting through countless offers across many websites. Browse our Peugeot 308 lease deals today, and you may be driving one yourself sooner than you think.