What does it cost?
Peugeot 308 CC full 9 point review
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Performance
The good news is that the CC comes with a selection of fine 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines from the 308 hatch. The not-so-good news is that they have much more weight to drag around because of the CC's additional body stiffening. Even the most powerful of them – the 197bhp petrol turbo – has its work cut out.
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Ride & Handling
The 308 feels impressively rigid with the roof up, but it gets a distinct case of the collywobbles when you drop it. That makes the ride feel very fidgety, and big bumps can send shudders through the bodywork. Body control and grip are both strong, but the car doesn't feel very agile in bends and the steering is remote.
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Refinement
The body wobble can get annoying after a while, but the 308 is good at protecting you from wind buffeting with the roof down, especially with the wind blocker mounted over the rear seats. You can even get blowers in the front seat backrests to waft warm air around your neck. Noise levels are mostly low, too.
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Buying & Owning
Prices start at well over £20,000, which is only slightly cheaper than rival coupe-cabrios from the likes of Audi and VW. CC resale values have traditionally been a little lower than those of the hatchbacks they're based on, too, because of their more limited appeal. Daily running costs shouldn't be too punishing, with all versions giving excellent economy.
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Quality & Reliability
The 308 has good-quality materials throughout most of the cabin, as well as a high standard of assembly. Peugeots have been criticised for their reliability in the past, but this year's JD Power survey revealed something of an improvement; owners rated it as above average for mechanical reliability.
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Safety & Security
The 308 hatchback has a very comprehensive list of safety kit, and the CC follows suit. Six airbags are standard across the range, and so is stability control. Metal-roofed convertibles are always more secure than those with a fabric hood, and security is improved by remote locking of the glovebox and centre storage cubby.
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Behind The Wheel
For a mobile sun-trap, the CC has an unusually sporty driving position, with a low-slung, contoured seat. This can cause a few visibility problems when the roof is closed or when going round corners and roundabouts, because of the angle of the front screen pillars. The dash isn’t ideal, either – both the layout and the switchgear itself could be clearer.
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Space & Practicality
No one buys coupe-cabrios for their practicality, but the 308 isn’t particularly impressive in this area. Peugeot says it’s a genuine four-seater, but with such tight rear legroom, you’ll hear plenty of arguments against that. The boot is a good size when the roof is closed, but you'll need to travel light when it's open.
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Equipment
There are four trim levels to choose from in the CC. Access models have air-conditioning, powered windows, alloys and Bluetooth, while Active models add cruise control, climate control, automatic lights and wipers, and parking sensors. Allure models have leather seats with a gizmo that blows warm air down the back of your neck, while GT models have sportier styling.
What Peugeot 308 CC owners say:
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Our pick of the range
Peugeot 308 CC 1.6 THP 156 Active 2dr
You need one of the stronger engines in the 308 CC - and this engine fits the bill. Combined with decent Active trim, that makes this our favourite version of the car.
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