A GREATER EIGHT (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Peugeot's third generation 308 is much improved. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 51

Peugeot's 308 family hatch gets far more polish in this third generation guise, with smarter packaging, extra engineering options and a bit more useful technology. The result is a more desirable product than you might expect from this familiar Gallic brand. You might be surprised at how much you'd like it.

Backgroundword count: 128

You might not have ever thought of the Peugeot 308 family hatch as being truly aspirational but maybe it's time to start. Peugeot's been making Focus-class models for half a century and we're already on the third generation of the one badged '308'. This is the most up-market version yet, in keeping with the Peugeot brand's more premium positioning within the Stellantis Group. The last 308 wasn't really a car many customers would have chosen in preference to a Golf, let alone anything premium, but this MK3 version might be. Everything's different - even the front Peugeot grille badge. And the sharky looks clothe a cabin that could just be the segment's most sophisticated. Premium values with mainstream value? Is that what we've got here? Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 302

All combustion models come only with 8-speed EAT8 auto transmission and under the bonnet, there's a mix of something old and something new. Surprisingly, Peugeot is still offering its usual 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel in 130hp form. The mainstream alternative is a Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 petrol variant that uses a 1.2-litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to a dual-clutch 6-speed auto with an electric motor built into the transmission casing. On the move, the Hybrid system's 136bhp 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine and the electric motor can operate together - or separately. And, unlike with a mild hybrid system like that fitted to say, a Golf eTSI, here the car can be driven for short urban distances (under 18mph) on electric power alone. The motor also assists the engine under acceleration. Want to be able to plug your 308 in? Well for this, your starting point lies with the petrol Plug-in Hybrid unit. The Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 model combines a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine with a 109hp electric motor and a 17.2kWh battery now large enough to take this 195hp 308 up to 49 miles between charges. The last powertrain option is the full-electric E-308 variant. This uses a 54kWh battery incorporating a sophisticated chemical composition which makes possible a 248 mile range figure. This battery powers a front axle-mounted 156bhp motor which will get you to 62mph from rest in about 8 seconds. What about autonomous drive technology? After all, a car of this kind these days isn't quite complete without it. To satisfy this need, the French maker is offering its 'Peugeot Drive Assist 2.0' set-up. Previously, Stellantis Group tech relied on stop-and-go cruise control and lane-keep assist, but this evolved set-up can now automatically adapt the speed of the car around corners, operating at speeds up to 112mph.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227