Peugeot 308 Pre Model SR 1.6 HDi 5dr Car Review - March 2008

REVIEW
List Price: £17,445
Tax Band: B
Insurance Group: 12
MPG: 67.3
CO2: 110
0-62 Mph: 12.4 secs
BHP: 92 BHP
Range: 888 miles
CarSite Verdict:  2.25/5
The Peugeot 308 SR 1.6 HDi is a decent family hatchback and should be very cheap to run. However, it is not in the same league as its rivals when it comes to handling and the 308 suffers from reliability issues.

PROS:  The 308 has an excellent, economical diesel engine and a good quality interior.

CONS:  It's not the most spacious car in its class and it's not particularly good to drive.

Behind the Wheel

The Pug's 1.6-litre diesel engine produces 92bhp and 169lb-ft of torque. This translates into a 0-62mph time of 12.4 seconds and a top speed of 113mph.

The 308 is not as fun to drive as its rivals thanks to its very heavy body. It offers plenty of grip but is simply not as agile as the competition, especially at low speeds. The ride is very poor and the suspension crashes over potholes and rough roads but the overall refinement is very good with wind, road and engine noise all kept to a minimum.

Looks & Equipment

The 308 isn't a bad looking car if you can get past its awful front grille which looks like a grinning face. The quality of the interior is very good too and the plastics used all feel soft to the touch and expensive.

Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, air-con, electric windows, sat-nav, Bluetooth, CD player and MP3 connectivity. Metallic paint can be specified for an extra £440.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The 308 scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests and comes as standard with six airbags and stability control.

Peugeot have a bad reputation when it comes to reliability and the 308 is no exception. It finished poorly in the 2011 J D Power Survey with owners citing both mechanical problems and interior niggles.

A 347-litre boot is about average for a mid-sized hatchback like the 308. The high boot-line hampers loading though, which can be a problem. Fold the rear seats down and a lot more space becomes available - 1,398 litres in total.

Value for Money

At £17,445, the 308 SR 1.6 HDi is one of the more expensive models in the 308 range and resale values will be very poor.

On the plus side, it should be cheap to run thanks to an impressive fuel economy figure of 67.3mpg. Low CO2 emissions of 110g/km make sure it falls under VED band B and group 12 insurance will be relatively cheap.

Peugeot 308 Pre Model SR 1.6 HDi 5dr Car Review - by 
All Peugeot 308 Reviews
Peugeot 308 Pre Model Access 1.4 VTi 5dr - March 2012
Although better than the old 307, the 308 is comprehensively annihilated by the competition. There are much better cars out there.
Peugeot 308 Pre Model Active 1.6 THP 5dr - March 2012
The 308 1.6 THP offers decent performance credentials but not much else. The family hatchback market is incredibly competitive and the 308 simply can't keep up with the competition. Buy something e...
Peugeot 308 Pre Model Active 2.0 HDi 5dr - March 2012
With an efficient and powerful diesel engine, the 308 Active 2.0 HDi is the pick of the 308 range. Sadly, it's still not good enough to compete with the likes of the Focus and Golf.
Peugeot 308 Pre Model SR 1.6 HDi 5dr - March 2008
The Peugeot 308 SR 1.6 HDi is a decent family hatchback and should be very cheap to run. However, it is not in the same league as its rivals when it comes to handling and the 308 suffers from relia...
Peugeot 308 Pre Model Oxygo e-HDi with Stop and Start 5dr - March 2012
The 308 has always lagged behind its rivals and, although the Oxygo e-HDi EGC with Stop and Start offers impressive fuel economy and a good quality interior, it is simply not up to the high standar...
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