Peugeot 308 review

The 308’s driving position is somewhat unusual. As with other modern Peugeots, there’s a high-set digital instrument panel that you’re supposed to view above (rather than through) a tiny steering wheel. The good news is that none of our testers struggled to see the instruments, a problem that afflicts the smaller 208. The bad news is that the driving position is still a bit awkward; you almost feel as though you’re sitting on the floor.

All trim levels come with adjustable lumbar support to aid comfort. However, the driver's seat doesn't provide a great deal of side support for cornering. Another bugbear is that you need to faff around with the touchscreen just to adjust the interior temperature. In the Corolla, for example, you just twist a well-positioned dial – an act that’s less distracting when you’re driving.

Eco LED headlights come as standard on lower spec 308s, while GT models and above get full matrix LED lights, which automatically adapt their pattern to provide maximum visibility without blinding oncoming drivers.

The i-Cockpit infotainment system, presented on a 10in touchscreen in the 308, is better than in previous models we’ve tried. It features clear, crisp graphics and is packed with features and customisation options. It can be a little slow to respond to your inputs, though, and a lack of proper buttons or even haptic feedback means that using it is inherently more distracting than systems using physical shortcut buttons and a rotary controller.