What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

For Refined smooth engines, and a good safety rating

Against Dynamics, handling and shortage of cabin space are all disappointing

Verdict The 308 is a competent small family car, but a long way behind its rivals

Go for… 1.6 HDI (108) S 5dr

Avoid… 1.6 THP GT 5dr

Peugeot 308 Hatchback
  • 1. There's plenty of head- and legroom up front, and decent rear-seat headroom, but not enough legroom.
  • 2. The ride is uncomfortably firm, and the 308 can be unsettled by mid-corner bumps. It grips well, but never feels nimble. Overall, it falls well short of class leaders in this area.
  • 3. Those shopping for a diesel can choose between the 89bhp or 108bhp 1.6-litre engines (with the 108bhp unit being the better buy) or the rare 134bhp 2.0-litre.
  • 4. Servicing costs aren’t expensive, and there are plenty of independent garages that specialise in Peugeots.
  • 5. The diesel particulate filter can also give problems, with a fault light appearing on the dashboard and the car refusing to start.
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