Peugeot 308 review: Is this stylish, funky, French hatch a Merc A-Class beater?

Peugeot could be the best kept secret in the new car market. Sleek design, impressive comfort, and sharp dynamics, but sales aren't exactly show-stopping.
The new 308 hatch features all these attributes and takes aim at popular premium mid-size competitors like the Audi A3, Mazda3, and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
So, does this newcomer have what it takes to break through and disrupt the accepted order of things? Andrew Chesterton has driven it in a variety of conditions from the city, to the suburbs, over backroads and on the freeway to answer that question.
Is it time to add the Peugeot 308 to your new car shopping list. Join Chesto to find out!
#Peugeot #Peugeot308
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00:00 Intro
00:35 Pricing and features
01:50 Design
03:05 Practicality
04:24 Under the bonnet
04:40 Efficiency
05:00 Driving
10:04 Safety
10:30 Ownership
10:53 Verdict
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Read Andrew's full review: carsgui.de/3tQPqQn
Check out our Peugeot 308 hub: carsgui.de/3OyjjOY
Find more hatchbacks: carsgui.de/3kbB7SL
Find more wagons: carsgui.de/3rHv8HY
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[@fabricebureau9742]

I rented the hatchback GT version and drove 17 000 Km in 2 months all over Europe. The car was incredibly safe and nice to drive and fuel efficient. I enjoyed the experience especially in sport mode on the German highways!

[@3h4yj8]

Picking my GT premium this weekend. Coming from an old 20yo is200 the power is adequate and at least for me didn’t feel like it’s lacking for most situations. Considering it’s fuel consumption is pretty good for a non hybrid model

[@jaysonj3122]

How is your GT Premium going?, any problems?. I'm considering getting one in nera black :)

[@3h4yj8]

@@jaysonj3122 hey mate just about to hit 5000 Ks in a few days and I haven’t had any serious issues so far. I did run into problems with the phone app not recording trips but it doesn’t affect the car. I thought the heated seats and steering didn’t work initially but they only turn on if the ambient temperature is less than 20 degrees. Weird but ok

[@jaysonj3122]

Thanks for that info, that's quite interesting about the heated seats & steering wheel only turning on sub 20 degrees.@@3h4yj8

[@stefanmartin8893]

Can't wait to drive my new 308 gt. Good review by the way.

[@allanbriggs807]

Thanks for an Aussie Review - well done. Just a couple of points. Peugeots (except for the little ones) have always been seen as touring cars, not around the town cars. (eg 403, 404, 504, 407, 308early models). Their strength was on the open road. I have a 2012 Peugeot 308 (2L diesel) and it's strength is on the open road - quite Ok around town but the open road is its strength. I must admit I cannot understand why they are using the 1.3 petrol engine - grossly underpowered when you have four people plus baggage. Might be Ok with just the driver, but underpowered with a load. Think family holiday time. Lovely looking car and lots of new fangled gadgets which most people won't use. BTW I am a Peugeot fanatic as our family have owned Peugeots since 1957. Think I might keep my diesel or wait for the 3008. Whatever happens I will wait until they have perfected the hybrid or electric engines.

[@paullacey2999]

Great looking Peugeot😍

[@sukhoiromantic1718]

Nice looking car and nice review. I know its probably better for fuel economy but sounds like if they dropped a few cogs from the transmission there would be less hunting and perhaps better performance from the auto. Purely basing that on my own auto car having only 4 ratios but always seems to be where I would want it even with only 62kw.. I'd suggest a manual might make this car even better but as much as I hate to admit it hardly anyone here in Aus would buy one. Still looks like a very compelling new package around the 50k mark for small cars I hope they do well. Looks great to my eyes.

[@michaelHuerth]

I love the car and ordered one - cant wait to drive it on a daily base! BTW: I love your review and the landscape while taking it - where exactly did you take the review?

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

In Europe, we get two PHEV models with 132 and 165kW respectively. There is also an electric model confirmed making 115kW.

[@hilmyemy1872]

So beautiful than A class

[@christophersemenya9890]

I'm watching this video down in South Africa, will it arrive in shores of my country?

[@bruunm1975]

If only they’d release a sportier version of the wagon … about to upgrade a Golf GTI Performance, love the look of this wagon. But yeah… I’d like to be at least sub 8 or 7 seconds to 100.

[@gregj3515]

think the hatch and wagon both look good, unsure why aussieland doesn't get a lower spec wagon model, there appears to be a misaligned rear seat in the 40/20/40 estate or is it supposed to be like that? i guess for those seeking more get up and go a remap will have to do....decent review....

[@Redbull0000]

Peugeot 🥰

[@mvnorsel6354]

I like the colour reminds me of lime cordial as a child 😋. Filmed in Gippsland ?

[@sukhoiromantic1718]

Wherever it is filmed area looks gorgeous. I'm guessing South Coast NSW like Kiama / Berri area as he mentioned Sydney and it looks similar to when I was there a few years ago

[@vs6300]

Definitely. Peugeot never made a hatch that flipped like a leaf in a gust of wind.

[@rongambol9910]

Great looking car but a little underpowered. Would be interested if they bring a GTI version to AUS.

[@allanbriggs807]

Definitely underpowered.

[@PHLFANJAN]

In Europe they sell a Plugin In Hybrid with 230PS

[@TalismanPHX]

Very handsome 😍

[@TurboEncabulat0r]

What?! The wagon doesnt have the Focal sound system!? 🤕

[@unclebanga5976]

Surely it could be added in as an option. I'd hope so.

[@wheresmycheese8511]

@@unclebanga5976 nope it's not coming. They decided on a split level rear floor instead

[@allanbriggs807]

For dinosaurs like me , what in the hell is the Focal sound system. I want my six stacker CD player back.

[@TurboEncabulat0r]

​@@allanbriggs807Focal is a high end speaker manufacturer from France. The Focal sound system just places the cheap chinese factory speakers/amplifier with high quality french made equipment, which produces far superior sound quality. Think of it like upgrading from a Bic ballpoint pen to a Mont Blanc.

[@allanbriggs807]

@@TurboEncabulat0r thanks

[@Acid4blood75]

Love the design and interior! Pity they didn’t put a decent engine in.

[@allanbriggs807]

I have a 2012 Peugeot 308 HDi (2L Diesel). Fantastic engine - plenty of power. Every Peugeot mechanic I know indicates it is the best Peugeot engine - a long way ahead of the newer petrol engines. I know they are phasing out diesel engines - BUT!!!!! BTW the newer Tech engines are starting to have timing chain and oil leak problems.

[@robalexander7348]

Yes I Agree i have owned Five Peugeot's over many years all 2 litre engines,if they fitted a 2 litre i may buy another,such a shame ?

[@vhira]

There’s two things I hate about this car 1) hard to view cockpit dials or display 2) cramped backseats

[@justice4g]

need at least a 1.6

[@bosse641]

You are not allowed to hold your phone and speak as you drive, big no-no and fines, but you CAN have your eyes glued to a screen on your dash and fiddle with that no problem. Go figure.

[@honeyisaac]

wagon looks better no doubt

[@victorfu6332]

Looks like Kiama

[@ashleyslingers2814]

The wagon does look better

[@WillAH956]

Blame the central banks printing money endlessly for the price and the punter pays with higher interest rates I wish you guys would educate why people are paying more for cars Other than that gripe Good review

[@sukhoiromantic1718]

A few years ago it got made a bit harder to get finance so a lot of would be new buyers started having to buy used, more demand for used cars, used car prices go up and kess about, and with chip shortages and 6+ months wait for stock for most manufacturers its a sellers market and a lot of new cars will be customer specific factory orders so no real scope to haggle because hardly any alternatives. That and most people finance or lease so they just think the price increases are just a small increase in their monthly payments over 5 years or whatever. And because all the certified cars coming off lease and back to dealers after a few years are non-existent there is less used car stock to make margins on when new car margins used to be super slim. TLDR basically car prices are high because people are paying them because they don't have an alternative and flor the manufacturers - Mercedes and Ford are two recent examples - they are making more money these last few years by having higher margins of less cars so until competitors jump and build thousands of cars without having orders and flood the market again - unlikely until we get more microchips. More likely we'll get slightly cheaper cars with a bit less content as interest rates rise and people start to not afford the car payments they are offered.

[@WillAH956]

@@sukhoiromantic1718 you make many good points however none of it has anything to do with inflation Zip

[@budawang77]

You'd have to be brave (or foolish) to buy a new legacy ICE car these days.Resale values are going to start plummeting over the next few years.

[@rorymcduck2410]

Compared to Citroens….?

[@eGazTheFirstAustralian]

Still with the Oil Burners, Carsguide? Why oh why and where have you been? Ban oil burners' marketing! We have a planet (and lungs) to protect

[@kickoffshowguy]

Co2 Is A Lot More Natural Then Nuclear Battery’s Co2 Comes From Animals And Trees Filter Co2 Where You Can’t Filter A Nuclear Battery Naturally

[@GenMaster]

Greta would be proud

[@campbellreither550]

Too late and too expensive. No thks.

[@antonroux6737]

because it was released May 2021 in Europe? agree too expensive. also not impressed by a 4 star crash safety rating

[@wheresmycheese8511]

@@antonroux6737 4 star was for the base model that is missing a lot of safety tech. Good old ANCAP only takes the Euro crash rating and adds it to the Australian delivered models.

[@antonroux6737]

@@wheresmycheese8511 I don't think that safety tech has that much to do with it - the actual crash test results are measured by damage to the dummies and there is a percentage rating given for those which is not high for adult occupants and not much better for child occupants - look at the Euro NCAP crash tests on KZbin - it just doesn't do that well...

[@garnray8568]

@@antonroux6737 I call BS on your comment. Peugeot do better than German car makers in safety tests. And that's a fact. You are full of S.

[@antonroux6737]

@@garnray8568 feel free to call whatever you like. I am simply referencing the publicly available independent Euro NCAP results which are easily obtained through an internet search. Also my comment has nothing to do with German cars. Apart from the Porsche 911 Dakar I have no interest. In fact I prefer French cars but I won't buy anything without a 5 star crash rating. Best of luck

[@adamrichardson3683]

130 bhp for a 50k car. Trash.

[@ashtonkee5868]

Totally underpowered and overpriced. That sums it up. And motoring journos should stop helping all these greedy car manufacturers make excuses to justify what they are offering for what they are asking.