Peugeot 308 Hatchback (2021 - )

Peugeot certainly upped the ante in the hatchback and station wagon sectors with the launch of its dynamically-styled new 308 line-up. The design is more aggressive looking than previous versions and the interior keeps up that athletic appearance.

Customers can choose from hatchback or station wagon models and there is a wide selection of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions too. In addition, buyers can select from generously-equipped trim levels called Active Premium, Allure, Allure Premium and GT. The GT Premium cars that were available at launch are only on sale now from existing stock.

We tested the 308 Hatchback powered by a 1199cc, three-cylinder petrol engine matched to an eight-speed auto transmission and our car was in Allure Premium trim.

Over the decades, Peugeot has built up quite an enviable reputation for developing great looking hatchbacks and the latest 308 is another fine example of the design team at its very best.

The 308 Hatchback has a strong road presence and is the French carmaker’s first model to feature the company’s new design technology with a neat-looking new badge sitting proudly on the radiator grille.

Head turning styling cues include iconic daytime running lights with full Matrix LED lights on top versions. The 308 has a long, sculpted bonnet, body-coloured door handles and spoiler, Nero black door mirrors, gloss black B pillars, twin chrome exhausts, instantly recognisable three-claw rear lights, a grille with a smart horizontal chrome pattern and 17-inch diamond cut alloys. 

The interior is a classy place to be with premium upholstery and high-end fixtures and fittings. The now traditional i-Cockpit system with tiny steering wheel and 10-inch media touchscreen looks really upmarket and is fairly easy to operate on the fly. The interface and software are the latest on offer and works well even though the sat nav proved a tad hit and miss.

There is Mirror Screen smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, a DAB radio and a voice assistant.

The five-door Peugeot 308 Hatchback looks dynamic in its design and thankfully has a performance that suitably matches the appearance. Despite being powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, the test car could complete the 0-62mph dash in a respectable 9.7 seconds with a top speed of 130mph.

With 130hp and 230Nm of torque, our test car featured an eight-speed automatic transmission that was beautifully timed and there are paddles for added driver engagement. In addition, drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport alter the driving characteristics of the car with Sport really livening things up and adding a raspier engine note under heavy acceleration.

There is enough zip on offer to overtake slower moving vehicles and more powerful engines are available if you really want to crank up the performance.

The car is front wheel drive and is nicely composed when pushed hard into tight bends with plenty of grip and no sign of body sway. It easily cruises at 70mph but offers impressive agility in more congested traffic too.

The steering is precise with ample feel, although the compact steering wheel will not suit everyone and you may find yourself peering over the top of the wheel or dipping to look through it to see the digital instrument cluster properly. 

The 308 Hatchback stretches 4,365mm in length, is 1,850mm wide (2,062mm with mirrors) and 1,465mm high with a wheelbase of 2,680mm.

With a manually-adjustable seat along with a steering wheel with full reach and rake movement, finding the ideal driving position is a simple process. The all-round visibility is good and there are front and rear parking sensors along with a reversing camera for added convenience.

While there is room in the back of the car for a trio of passengers, the sloping roof design rather restricts headroom for taller occupants. It is fine for youngsters though who also benefit from plenty of leg and elbow room.

The boot is generously-sized too with a 412-litre capacity. This can be increased to 1,323 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat. If that’s not quite large enough, the 308 SW has a boot capacity that ranges from 608 to 1,634 litres in size.

And there are numerous practical storage compartments scattered throughout the vehicle, including a glovebox, door bins with room for a bottle, a central cubby box, front and rear cup holders, seat back pockets, trays, along with two USB and two USB-C ports.

The Peugeot 308 is priced from £25,380 for the hatchback and £26,580 for the station wagon with a wealth of optional extras and personalisation packs to select from.

Our test car, in hatchback guise and in Allure Premium trim, cost £28,130 and there were no options fitted to bump up the final price-tag. 

According to official figures under WLTP testing, the car could deliver a combined 43.5 to 52.1mpg with carbon emissions of 129g/km.

That CO2 figure would result in a first year Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) charge of £190 dropping to the standard rate of £165 after the first 12 months. 

And, for potential business drivers, the car has a Benefit in Kind rating of 30 per cent. The vehicle sits in insurance group 19.

The third generation 308 is a huge step up for Peugeot with real hints towards premium styling and quality. It is a car that’s packed with high-quality features and drives beautifully. In addition, for added peace of mind, it scored a maximum five stars when tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating.

With a wide range of trims, engine choices and body styles, there will be a Peugeot 308 to suit all tastes and budgets. And we look forward to the fully electrified e-308 hatch and estate models arriving next year.