New PEUGEOT 308 review at a glance:
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Advantages: Very fuel efficient motor car with even the most basic models featuring standard kit that would have been cost options in previous years. The 308 improves on the fuel efficiency and general green-friendliness that marked the 307 out as a worthwhile purchase. Will retain its value better than the Ford Focus or the Renault Megane.

Disadvantages: Likely to be in high demand. Don't go for the 17" wheels fitted as standard on the Sport models as they make the steering feel awkward when you're switching from right to left.

Summary: An elegantly classy ride supported by good mechanics and meets both safety and environmental standards with ease.



(1) AutoeBid customer PEUGEOT 308 Reviews:
03-February-2011 New PEUGEOT 308 Deals(1.6 THP 156 GT 2d Auto)
“The car is smooth running, not sluggish and eyes turn to look at the sleek Peugot CC.”
New PEUGEOT 308 Review:
Let’s begin this review with a positive – the 308 is roomier than the 307. It’s longer and wider, and while visually it is only slightly upgraded from the 307 the inside is well polished; clean, simple and effective. Highly recommended is the two-tone option for interior trim, for while simple black is undoubtedly quite minimalist, the cabin styling is such that it really requires the two-tone to do it justice and transform the look from functional to chic.

Now of course comes the question which inevitably follows the release of a sequel – is it as good as the original, or at least in this case, the previous sequel? Thankfully Peugeot have gone back to what was good about the 306 – it is an enjoyable drive and has a good feel to it, something that was not present with the 307. The cabin impresses with its higher grade soft-plastics, with only good quality leather and carpeting used throughout the range.

Ride quality is good, absorbing most bumps with grace. You do quickly realise that this car is made for family/fleet buyers with a response time to match – this is no Type-R. Safety-wise we’re looking at a car that scored 5/5 for adult occupant protection on the Euro NCAP test, 4/5 for child protection and 3/4 for pedestrian protection. That’s better than the Honda Civic, Vauxhall Astra, Seat Leon and Mazda 3. Add to those statistics the fact that the 308 comes as standard with six airbags (in some cases nine airbags), and with ISOFIX mounting points on all three rear seats.

All 308s come with anti-lock brakes, brakeforce distribution and brake assist systems. On the sport, GT and SE models you get stability control as standard. While the GT is the only model that has an alarm as standard, all 308s come with deadlocks.

Engines for the 307 were remarkably green-friendly and the 308 takes up that mantle with the impressive gait of an experienced relay athlete accepting the baton and charging for the home straight. The HDi 90 version produces only 120g/km of carbon dioxide, and will save you money with a combined fuel consumption figure of 62.7 mpg. Even the least economical engine is good by modern standards – 39.8 mpg on the combined cycle for the 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine.

As standard you will find electric front windows and mirrors on all model cars, together with a single CD player. S models feature front foglights, air conditioning and body-coloured mirrors and door handles. Sport has rear electric windows, front armrests, a cargo net in the boot, leather steering wheel, body-coloured rubbing strips, an MP3-compatible stereo, sports grille and 17” wheels. The SE includes a scent diffuser, ambient lighting, a full-length glass roof, automatic lights and wipers, climate control, 16” alloys and a bumper unique to the SE range. GT brings carpet, half-leather seats, the glass roof, tyre pressure sensors, rear parking sensors, headlamp washers, directional headlamps, a Bluetooth hands-free kit, 18” alloys and a colour screen. Extra options include an almost wondrous multimedia system dubbed the RT4 which includes sat nav, telephone, and a 30gb hard drive for storing up to 180 hours worth of MP3 music files.

While French hatchbacks notoriously lose value like sunglasses at an underground rock festival, the 308 seems to be set to buck the trend with estimates suggesting that values will be nearly £1000 greater after 3 years (or 60,000 miles) than the 307 was at the same stage, better than the Megane or Focus.

There are five trim levels and prices begin at £12,595 for the 1.4 VTi Urban, rising to £20,045 for the 2.0 GT diesel, watch out for great discounts on AutoeBid!