Peugeot 308 2014 Review

The small car class is the biggest volume segment in Australia and later this month Peugeot releases its most important entrant, the 308. The new hatch and wagon range re-use the model designation of the previous model but couldn't be any more different. This new T9-series model is such a departure in philosophy to its T7 predecessor you barely recognise it as coming from the same company. The Germanic influence in proportions and execution is obvious and says, in a word, Golf.

The first phase of Peugeot's new T9-series 308 launch lobs in Australia this month presenting a strong challenge to its French, Japanese and German counterparts with prices starting $6500 lower than the outgoing model, a high level of technology and a competitive features list.

The 308 comes in hatch and wagon body styles with five grades, five engines and choice of two transmissions available.

The first batch of cars to hit showrooms on October 26 include the 96kW 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 110kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Access, Active and Allure hatches and the Allure Touring.

The second wave of 308s to arrive in March -- delayed simply because the engines have not yet been produced -- include the 1.6-litre 110kW petrol Allure Hatch and Touring and the 2.0-litre diesel 133kW GT. Prices for these cars will be announced closer to their arrival time.

The new 308 uses the same EMP2 platform that underpins the C4 Grand Picasso and is 140kg lighter than its predecessor. The new hatch body -- with a slippery aero figure of 0.28Cd -- is also shorter by 20mm and lower by 50mm.

The Touring -- no longer available with third-row seating -- is 80mm longer and 80mm lower than its predecessor.

There is an abundance of new technology available in the new car (although most of it only in top-end models), including full LED headlights, a 9.7-inch multimedia touch screen, electric park brake, push-button start, blind-spot monitoring, park assist, dynamic cruise control and emergency collision braking. All models will feature fuel-saving idle-stop tech.

The entry-level engine is the 1.2-litre Puretech Euro 6 96kW petrol -- the 308 is the first Peugeot to use this engine -- and is available in entry-level Access Hatch in six-speed manual ($21,990) or auto ($23,990), Active auto (27,340) and Allure auto ($30,490).

The 1.6-litre e-THP Euro 5 110kW petrol (not available until next March) is available in Allure Hatch and Touring and Allure Premium Hatch, both as automatics. The 1.6-litre e-THP Euro 5-compliant 151kW also arrives in March in GT six-speed manual Hatch spec.

Diesel offerings include the 2.0-litre Blue HDi Euro 6-compliant 110kW with six-speed automatic in Allure Hatch ($34,790) and Touring ($37,490) and, from next March, the 2.0-litre BlueHDi Euro 6 133kW with six-speed automatic.

The drive program covered 1500km on a variety of roads from France's south to Peugeot's home town of Sochaux in eastern France. The 1.2-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel 308 Hatch and Touring models we drove were not exactly representative of the Australian-spec models (they were left-hand drive French-market spec) yet gave a good first impression.

The 1.2-litre Puretech three-cylinder intercooled turbo-petrol is an absolute pearl of an engine, with plenty of torque, power and a willingness to rev -- which you will want to because of its guttural three-cylinder character.

Tied to a well-sorted chassis, this is an entertaining, enjoyable and, above all, secure and competent vehicle to drive (although like all the 308s we drove, the back axle thumps over big bumps).

Claimed acceleration to 100km/h is 9.1/9.6 sec (man/auto) and average consumption 4.6/5.1 litres per 100km (man/auto). This little three-pot is definitely the pick of the litter.

The 2.0-litre diesel is a smooth and torquey engine in the light 308 body (kerb weights range from 1090kg to 1310kg) and the Aisin-sourced six-speed auto appears to work much better in the 308 than it does in the 508. Peugeot claims an 8.6-second 0-100km/h time and 4.1L/100km fuel economy average.

The interior presentation is very good -- it not only looks good and appears very well made with quality materials, but is also very functional.

The rake-and-reach adjustable small-diameter steering wheel is designed so that you look over it rather than through it to see the instruments. While this sounds like a designer's folly, it actually works very well.

The only spoiler is the position of the A-pillar in relation to the driver, which makes seeing through tight corners difficult.

Front seats are very supportive and comfortable while the hatch's rear seat feels a little too firm and the contour of the seat base makes you lean on the seatbelt stalk if you're not as lean as you once were. For sub-teenage kids it would be fine. The wagon's rear seat is a different shape and more comfortable.

Judging by this first look, Peugeot is on a winner with its new 308 -- great engine and transmission combinations, a comfortable interior and a great driving experience.

Peugeot 308 pricing and specifications:
Price: $21,990-$37,490
Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol, 1.6-litre turbo-petrols, 2.0-litre turbo-diesels
Output: 96kW/230Nm (1.2-litre petrol), 110kW/240Nm (1.6-litre petrol), 151kW/285Nm (1.6-litre petrol), 110kW/370Nm (2.0-litre diesel) and 133kW/400Nm (2.0-litre diesel)
Transmission: Six-speed manual; six-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.6/5.1 L/100km (1.2 man/auto), 6.5L/100km (1.6 110kW), 5.6L/100km (1.6 151kW), 4.1L/100km (2.0 110kW) and 4.0L/100km (2.0 133kW)
CO2: 107/117 g/km (1.2 man/auto), 150g/km (1.6 110kW), 130g/km (1.6 151kW), 107g/km (2.0 110kW), 103g/km (2.0 133kW)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP)

What we liked:
>> Build quality
>> Characterful 1.2-litre engine
>> Engaging dynamics, quality ride

Not so much:
>> Vision around A-pillar
>> Hatch rear seat comfort
>> Rear suspension thumps over large bumps

Also consider:
Citroen C4
Renault Megane
Volkswagen Golf