A GREATER EIGHT (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_peugeot308_2022

By Jonathan Crouch

Peugeot's third generation 308 family hatch has been updated and is now much improved. Jonathan Crouch takes a closer look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 62

This third generation version of Peugeot's 308 gets a useful package of mid-term updates that see both family hatch and SW estate bodyshapes gain a smarter look. The engineering's also been updated in recent times and 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: 150

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 Golf-class models for half a century and we're currently mid-way through the third generation of the one badged '308', a model we first saw in 2021. Here, our task is to check out the updated version of this P5-generation design, which claims to be the most up-market 308 yet, in keeping with the Peugeot brand's more premium positioning within the Stellantis Group. Earlier generation 308 models weren't really cars many customers would have chosen in preference to a Golf, let alone anything premium, but this enhanced MK3 design might be. Introduced in Summer 2025, it gains a much sharper look - and there have been key recent engineering changes too. So, premium values with mainstream value? Is that what we've got here? Let's find out.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 410

Not much has changed with the engineering of this 308. The most predictable difference is the slight upgrade to the Hybrid variant, which gains a slightly upgraded 145hp version of the previous 136hp unit. As before, this set-up sees 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 petrol unit and that electric motor can operate together - or separately. This is really a mild hybrid system rather than a proper Toyota-like full-Hybrid set-up, but it can do most of the things you'd want a Hybrid to do, like cut in for up to 50% of the time to assist the engine in urban travel. Unlike with the sort of 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. If you don't want that petrol drivetrain, you might be interested to know that, curiously, there's still a diesel option - the same 130hp 1.5-litre four cylinder unit mated to 8-speed auto transmission. But what about if you want to plug your 308 in? Well just before this facelift, Peugeot introduced far-reaching changes to the PHEV rivetrain, limiting total power output to 195hp, adding a new 7-speed auto gearbox and including a bigger 17.2kWh battery. This Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 package mates a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine with a 109hp electric motor. For this update, that set-up's been tweaked further, with the result that EV driving range rises to 53 miles (from 49 miles) before - though that's still way off the 82 miles you'd get from a rival VW Golf GTE PHEV. Perhaps the biggest engineering change as part of this facelift though, has been applied to the all-electric E-308. It still features the same front-mounted 154hp motor, but now trades its old 51kWh (usable-capacity) battery for a slightly larger 55.4kWh package. With the result that EV drive range rises from 254 to 281 miles. This battery powers a front axle-mounted 156bhp motor which will get you to 62mph from rest in about 8 seconds. What else? Well the 308 was always recognised amongst the sharper steers in the family hatchback segment; don't expect that to change. And there's plenty of the latest camera drive assist tech - if you're prepared to pay for it.

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