Peugeot 308 Review 2024

March 2021

New Peugeot 308 revealed

The Peugeot 308 is getting a significant update as it moves into its third generation in 2021 - with the handsome new hatchback seeing a new design, new logo, upgraded interior and introduction of hybrid engines into the line-up.

The most obvious of those changes is the exterior, bringing the new 308 more in line with the other models in Peugeot’s range. The front end features slim LED headlights (standard on all variants) with the brand’s trademark vertical LED daytime running lights and a large grille. Higher-spec versions will get headlights that feature Matrix LED Tech.

The Volkswagen Golf rival is the first model to showcase the Peugeot’s new logo (a roaring lion’s head), which hides the radar used by the autonomous driving aids. At the rear, there’s an extended roof spoiler, too.

As with virtually all cars making the transition to the next generation, the 308 is larger than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been extended by 55mm and its overall length by 110mm to offer more space in the back seats. The windscreen is set at more of an angle and placed further back too, and the roof is 20mm lower - all in the name of more aerodynamic efficiency.

The boot offers 412 litres of luggage capacity, with a further 28 litres of storage in a hidden compart beneath the floor. With the rear seats folded flat, the maximum capacity increases to 1323-litres - meaning there’s more boot space than in the Volkswagen Golf, Hyundai i30 and Ford Focus.

Peugeot will offer the 308 with two pure petrol options, one diesel and two petrol plug-in hybrids. The 1.2-litre (110PS or 130PS) three-cylinder petrol turbocharged engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed auto in 130PS guise. The sole diesel is Peugeot’s BlueHDi 130, a turbocharged 130PS 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine - which is available with a six-speed manual gearbox. Peugeot has not revealed any performance, fuel economy or CO2 figures yet.

The plug-in hybrid line-up opens with the Hybrid 180 model. This combines a 150PS PureTech petrol engine with a 111PS electric motor and a 12.4kWh battery. The 308 will be able to cover 37 miles on pure electric, according to Peugeot. With CO2 emissions as low as 25g/km, it should make it a compelling company car option.

More power is available with the Hybrid 225 drivetrain, which combines a 181PS petrol engine with the same 111PS electric motor for a maximum combined power output of 225PS. The carmaker says this variant also offers a 37-mile electric-only range.

There are two types of on-board chargers available: a standard 3.7kW charger and an optional 7.4kW fast charger. The estimated recharging time is one hour 55 minutes when fitted with the optional 7.4kW unit.

The plug-in hybrid versions of the 308 feature a thermal pre-conditioning function, too. Via the MyPeugeot smartphone app or the car’s touchscreen, users can schedule a wake-up point for the battery so the cells are at the optimal temperature for efficiency.

Inside is Peugeot’s i-Cockpit with the familiar small steering wheel and a 10-inch digital panel above it. The central infotainment screen is also 10-inches as standard. A row of so-called 'i-toggle' switches also sits below this screen. Each one is a shortcut to a major function, like climate control.

Up to eight individual profiles can be stored and two phones can be connected at once via Bluetooth. Smartphone-mirroring functionality is now wireless as standard and the new 'OK Peugeot' voice control function can be used to change infotainment settings.

New autonomy features include long-range blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, a cleaning nozzle for the reversing camera, 360-degree parking assist and wing mirrors that lower when reversing.

Peugeot has yet to reveal pricing for the new 308 but we expect the entry-level variant to start from around £23,000 with the hybrids costing slightly more. The new 308 will go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2021. However, UK orders won’t begin until the tail end of 2021.

June 2021

New Peugeot 308 priced from £24,000

Peugeot has announced specifications for the new 308, with prices starting from £24,000 and first models arriving in UK showrooms in December.

From launch, the new 308 is available with two Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrains alongside efficient petrol and diesel engines, giving buyers the power of choice and a powertrain to suit any requirement. Plug-in hybrid buyers have a choice between the HYBRID 180 e-EAT8 (From Allure) or the more powerful, HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 (From GT), with both vehicles powered by a 12.4kWh electric battery and a 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Both the HYBRID 180 e-EAT8 and HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 models feature an 81kW electric motor and both are capable of driving up to 39 miles in electric mode under WLTP testing. With CO 2 emissions from just 25g/km, the 308 HYBRID models are also eligible for a Benefit-in-Kind rate of just 13%, making them perfect for fleet and business users.

All PHEV variants come with a 3.7kW on-board charger as standard, with buyers able to add a faster, 7.4kW charger as an option. A full charge using the standard charger will take just 3 hrs 50 mins, while the optional 7.4kW charger reduces this to 1 hr 55 mins.

The new 308 is also available with advanced and efficient petrol and diesel engines. The 1.2-litre PureTech 130 EAT8, delivering 130hp and the 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 EAT8 diesel, delivering 130hp. All 308 models are available exclusively with PEUGEOT’s 8-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission.

The new 308 is available in five trim levels, with Active Premium models available with petrol and diesel engines only. From Allure trim onwards, buyers have the possibility to choose between petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains:

• Active Premium
• Allure
• Allure Premium
• GT
• GT Premium

Active Premium models come standard with 16-inch ‘Auckland’ alloy wheels, grained black ‘diffuser effect’ rear trim and a grained black rear cluster connecting strip between the tail lights. Active Premium models also feature EcoLED automatic headlights, LED rear lights with PEUGEOT’s three-claw signature and automatic windscreen wipers.

Inside, customers enjoy a new multi-function split leather and gloss compact steering wheel, PEUGEOT i-Cockpit ® with a 10-inch digital instrument panel display with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, electro chromatic frameless rear-view mirror, and driver and front passenger comfort seats for an improved ride.

Allure models upgrade the wheels to 17-inch ‘Calgary’ diamond-cut alloys, and feature a front grille with horizontal chrome stamping, while HYBRID models feature bespoke HYBRID badging around the vehicle.

The driver and passenger seats inside are covered in ‘Falgo’ Tri-Material with ‘Isabella’ leather effect and cloth seat trim and feature Mint stitch detailing, while interior ambient lighting to the door panels adds to the atmosphere inside.

Alle models feature PEUGEOT’s Connected 3D Navigation with live traffic updates, the New PEUGEOT i-Connect ® voice-operated assistant and the new customisable i-Toggles ® . Allure models also come with front and rear parking sensors, and Visio Park 1 with a 180-degree reversing camera, as well as PEUGEOT’s Active Safety Brake technology, which is capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists by day and at night.

Allure Premium models add PEUGEOT’s Drive Assist Pack, which features rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, as well as long range Active Blind Spot detection and wireless smartphone charging with wireless connection for Android Auto and Apple Car Play™. Allure Premium models feature 17-inch ‘Halong’ diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Dynamic GT models feature distinctive 18-inch ‘Kamakura’ diamond-cut two-tone alloy wheels and specific GT badging on petrol and diesel variants. The new PEUGEOT lion emblem also adorns the front wings, while the radiator grille features a dark chrome chequered design and the body sills have been extended to the front and sides, providing a more aggressive stance. All GT models feature Full Matrix LED headlights and PEUGEOT’s new full LED 3D ‘claw effect’ rear lights with a sequential welcome signature.

Inside, GT models come with PEUGEOT’s new Clean Cabin Technology, which helps to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the cabin from the outside, as well as PEUGEOT’s 3D i-Cockpit ® with a configurable 3D head-up instrument panel. All GT models also provide a heated steering wheel and PEUGEOT’s Driver Sport Pack, with personalised colour schemes available on the digital display. Drivers can also adjust the steering wheel and accelerator response to suit their driving style.

The compact steering wheel is enhanced with full grain leather and Adamite green stitching and GT badging, while the cloth seats are made up of ‘Fraxx knit’ Tri-material Alcantara ® and come with an ‘Isabella’ leather effect.

Top of the range GT Premium models add 18-inch ‘Portland’ diamond-cut two-tone black alloy wheels and come with a Focal Premium HiFi 10HP system with four tweeters, two woofers, and one central speaker with sub-woofer for an even better acoustic experience.

GT Premium models also feature an AGR-certified (for Aktion Gesunder Rücken) driver’s seat for improved support and comfort, and include a massage function, while the heated driver and front passenger seats provide four-way electric lumbar adjustment.

All GT Premium models come with PEUGEOT’s Drive Assist Pack Plus – including semi-autonomous lane positioning assist technology – as well as Visio Park 3, which adds 360-degree HD camera technology and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

May 2022

Orders open for new Peugeot 308 with prices starting from £25,270

The new Peugeot 308 is the latest model to feature the brand's distinctive design language and next-generation i-Cockpit interior.

Available from launch with efficient plug-in hybrid powertrains for the first time, a fully electric model will follow in 2023.

Inside, all Peugeot 308s feature the i-Cockpit configuration with a new compact multi-function steering wheel and a 10-inch HD capacitive colour touchscreen that houses the new i-Connect® infotainment system (available from Allure trim). Also new for the 308 are the customisable i-Toggles controls (available from Allure trim) that allow owners to set personalised shortcut keys for numerous functions for enhanced ease of use. The new Peugeot 308 can be specified with heated AGR accredited front seats with 10-way electric adjustment and a multi-point massage system.

The new 308 comes as standard with a number of key safety and driver assistance technologies, including:

• Active Safety Brake with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Intelligent Speed Adaptation
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Programmable cruise control and speed limiter
• Driver attention warning

And can be specified with:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop Function
• Full Matrix LED headlights
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• 360-degree surround view parking camera

From launch, the new 308 is available with a choice of two plug-in hybrid powertrains in Hybrid 180 or Hybrid 225 variants. Both feature the brand’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and are powered by a 12.4kWh battery connected to an 81kW electric motor. Capable of up to 37 miles (WLTP) from a single charge, the HYBRID 180 is also eligible for a low 8% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rate (2022 / 2023), making it ideal for fleet and business users. A full charge using a 7.4kWh Wall Box charger will take just 3 hrs 50 mins, while the optional 7.4kW charger reduces this to 1 hr 55 mins.

In addition, Peugeot’s advanced 1.2-litre PureTech petrol and 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engines are also available, both with 130PS, giving customers the complete ‘Power of Choice’ to choose the powertrain that best meets their needs.

January 2024

Revised 308 trim line-up for 2024 model year

Peugeot has simplified the trim options across the entire 308 line-up for the 2024 model year. The number of trims has been reduced from four to three, now consisting of Active, Allure, and GT.

Peugeot 308 Active models start at £28,050 and get 16-inch alloy wheels, Eco LED headlights, rear parking sensors. electric folding door mirrors, a configurable 10-inch instrument panel, a multi-function leather steering wheel and automatic wipers and lights.

Allure variants start at £29,580 and feature 17-inch alloy wheels, Peugeot Smartbeam high beam assist, Peugeot i-Connect and 3D Navigation, Peugeot customisable i-Toggles, a reversing camera and tinted rear glass

GT models start at £32,435 and feature 18-inch alloys, full matrix LED headlights and 3D rear lights, extended lower body styling, eight-colour ambient lighting and a configurable 10-inch 3D instrument panel.

April 2024

Peugeot announces new hybrid powertrain for 308

Peugeot has revealed the new HYBRID 136 powertrain for the 308. The powertrain combines a 1.2 petrol engine with a new six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The gearbox incorporates a 28hp electric motor and a 0.9kWh 48V Lithium-ion battery.

The new hybrid powertrain can operate more than 50% of the time in zero-emission all-electric mode during low-speed urban cruising offering improved fuel economy of up to 15% and a reduction in CO2 of 19g/km when compared to the existing PureTech 130 EAT8 engine.

Thanks to the CO2 reduction, the hybrid powertrain has a reduced rate of Vehicle Excise Duty and a lower rate of Benefit-in-Kind Tax for company car drivers.

The new powertrain will be available for the 308 Active, Allure, and GT trim levels. Prices for the 308 with the new hybrid powertrain start from £29,040 and for the 308 SW from £30,240.