If you've been following our coverage of this year's Geneva Motor Show, you'll know that the new Peugeot 308, the French company's latest rival for the likes of the Golf and Focus, romped home with one of the most coveted titles in the industry, the European Car of the Year award.
Peugeot 308 wins European Car of the Year award
The award, which was selected by a panel of 58 journalists from across Europe, saw Peugeot's new C-segment offering beating off competition from the likes of the BMW i3, the Mercedes S-Class and the Mazda3. However, while a ECOTY title is usually a fairly good indication that a car is a good one, by no means does it guarantee it; the question is, is the 308 a match for the class best? Well, that's what we're here to find out.
Designed to replace the old 308, the new car bucks the Peugeot trend of simply adding a '1' to the model name to signify a new generation. The reason for this is that Peugeot built a 309 back in the 1980s -- between the 305 and the 306, rather incongruously -- and perhaps to forge a link between the 308 and the excellent 208, which is leading Peugeot's emergence from its 2000s-era doldrums to, Peugeot hopes, the company's glory years of the 1980s and 90s.
Based on Peugeot's new EMP2 platform, the new 308 is lighter, more involving to drive and infinitely more stylish than the model it replaces. We genuinely believe that the 308 is the best-looking car in its class, trumping all of its main competitors in the design stakes. If we had one minor criticism it would be that the car lacks a certain idiosyncratic charm which has long been the hallmark of small French cars; however, we think Peugeot has struck a nice balance between French flair and an almost Teutonic feeling of solidity and purpose.
On the inside, things are slightly more bonkers. The first thing you'll notice is that the centre console is distinctly lacking in the button department, with most of the major features now being controlled from a central touchscreen. Normally this would set alarm bells ringing -- scrolling through endless sub-menus purely to change the radio station is not my idea of fun -- but Peugeot has managed to design a system which even a grizzled technophobe like me found easy to use.
Another possible bone of contention is Peugeot's insistence on fitting a small steering wheel, set below the main instrument cluster which is mounted much higher up the dashboard. In the smaller 208 this setup has received a mixed response, with some claiming that the wheel obstructs the view of the dials; however, in the 308 the setup appears to be much more successful -- not necessarily better, but crucially, not demonstrably worse.
Another nice touch is the rev counter, which spins anti-clockwise and is therefore, for some unknown reason, better. The level of perceived quality in the cabin is superb too, while the top-of-the-range Feline model we drove featured a set of supremely comfortable alcantara seats.
The cabin is topped off, quite literally, with a huge panoramic glass roof which, while only available on top-spec models, is a nice feature.
We drove the 1.6-litre petrol THP engine with 154bhp and 177lb-ft of torque. With a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 132mph, the engine certainly makes the 308 feel brisk, while the power delivery is smooth and refinement excellent. On the road it doesn't actually feel as fast as the figures suggest; however, there is more than enough power to make the 308 feel light and responsive.
The ride too, as you'd expect from a Frenchie, is excellent, despite the 18-inch alloys fitted to our Feline model. The unintended consequence of this, however, is slightly wallowy handling when the road gets twisty which, combined with lifeless, if direct, steering, fails to inspire confidence when you're pressing on. It's not that the 308 is a bad car to drive by any means, it just fails to live up to the likes of the Golf and Focus as a pure driver's car.
As a family car, however, the 308 is much more successful. There's a decent 470-litres of boot space with the rear seats up -- more than you get in both the Ford and VW -- however, this is at the expense of rear passenger space, which will feel cramped for anybody over about five-foot-ten.
Fuel economy is very good for a sprightly petrol engine, with Peugeot claiming a combined 48.7mpg. We managed slightly less than that on our test run; however, even when you're giving it the beans the THP 156 engine is relatively frugal. If it's economy you're looking for though, you'd be better served by one of the excellent diesel engines, the most efficient of which will return a claimed 91.1mpg and emit just 82g/km of CO2.
Standard equipment across the range is impressive too, with every 308 coming with air-conditioning, Bluetooth, DAB radio and cruise control, while our range-topping Feline model came with a comprehensive list of kit, including front and rear parking sensors, a rear reversing camera, LED headlights, a 9.7-inch touchscreen, an electric handbrake (a blessing or a curse, depending on your POV), a leather steering wheel and gear stick, auto-lights and wipers, and, of course, that panoramic glass roof.
So, at £21,345, is the Peugeot 308 Feline THP 156 a good buy? Well, that depends on what you want from your car. If it's razor-sharp driving dynamics you're after, you'd be better off with a Golf or a Focus; however, the 308 still offers a tempting ownership proposition thanks to its good looks, quality interior, smooth engine and excellent range of equipment. Combine this with a competitive price list, with boggo-spec models starting from just £14,495, and you're left with a very appealing package.
Peugeot, it seems, is back in the game.
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The Carsite Verdict | |
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Stylish, well-priced and with a top-notch interior, the 308 is a deserved ECOTY winner. |
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Peugeot 308 Feline THP 156
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol
Price: £21,345
Power: 154bhp
0-62mph: 8.4 seconds
Top speed: 132 mph
Fuel economy 48.7mpg (combined)
CO2 emissions: 134g/km
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