Peugeot 308 1.6 VTi Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Peugeot 308 1.6 VTi range
Prices: £13,895-£16,395 - on the road
Insurance Group: 6
Emissions: 159g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 10.8s/ Max Speed 122mph
Fuel Consumption: (urban) 30.4mpg / (extra urban) 54.3mpg / (combined) 42.2mpg
Safety: seven airbags / ABS & EBD
Dimensions: [5dr] Length/Width/Height mm 4276/1815/1498 WHO TO SEE:

FRENCH POLISH

Our Rating: 7.6 / 10

The family hatchback market is hotly contested. Peugeot’s 308 is the latest entrant to the sector, how will it stack up in 1.6-litre VTi petrol guise? Jon Elliott finds out.

The 308 is the latest hatchback offering from Peugeot. Another attempt by the French manufacturer, previously renowned for its hatchbacks, to get closer to the Golf and Focus. First impressions suggest the gap has closed considerably, especially in the 1.6-litre VTi petrol guise tested here. An excellent ride allied to solid build quality is harnessed in one package to produce the fine 308.

In 1993 Peugeot gave us the capable 306. It was a massive success for Peugeot, and rightly so. Wheels close to the corners, allied to excellent weight distribution, meant the 306 handled like a dream. It came with a wide range of excellent diesel and petrol engines, and was really only let down by its cheap plastic interior. In 2001, the 307 came along, the interior and overall build improved considerably, but somewhere the driving dynamics had been lost and drivers were left unimpressed by considerable electrical glitches.

The 308 is Peugeot’s attempt to combine the improved interior and build of the 307 with the ride and dynamics of the 306 to finally prove that the French lion is no longer asleep. Not since the 205 has Peugeot had a best seller in the hatchback market. However, Peugeot aren’t ones for knowing when they’re beaten, and the introduction of the 308 appears to have addressed many of the issues that held its predecessor back. Sales success will depend on customer uptake of key variants like the 1.6-litre petrol VTi we look at here.

If I’m honest I wasn’t expecting great things from this 308 and was sure familiar traits would shine through as soon as I sat behind the wheel. For example, I expected average build quality, numb steering and a ride that would upset my occasionally temperamental back. As it turned out, I should have given this car more of a chance. The zesty 1.6 has enough go about it not to leave you wishing you’d bought the next model up. It’s lusty if not truly athletic. Around town, often in low gears it rides very smoothly; it’s easy to drive and manages to soften the stresses of modern motoring.

On open roads, the drive is utterly tactile; you can feel enough, yet not so much that it becomes tiresome, the steering is responsive and there is plenty of feel through the wheel. So much so in fact that the 308 manages to gain your trust almost immediately. The front of the car always seems to go where you point it, feeling well and truly stuck to the tarmac. In truth, Peugeot hatches have always managed to do this and this characteristic is carried on in the 308.

Overall, the ride is impressive. The 308 doesn’t feel too much like a hatch as it soaks up bumps and camber changes in the road with ease. It may come as a shock to some, but this car is really pretty good. It seems to do all things well, rather than exceeding at any one facet at the expense of another.

The driving position seemed excellent for my tall frame. You could argue the A pillar gets in the way a little, and somewhat disconcertingly I did find the apex disappearing from view while navigating a roundabout. Otherwise though, it’s as impressive to live in as it is to drive. The seats are comfy, offering just enough stability, and they’re fully adjustable too. There is a real air of space in the car; the driver never feeling cramped or confined when behind the wheel.

There’s also plenty of places for your bits and pieces in side pockets and alike, although some of the glove box space has been stolen by the airbag. The interior plastics are solid, and there is no excess of joins that creak as you go round a bend. Another surprise is the rear leg room, which, while not excessive, is more than enough when your likely passengers are the kids. The boot is also large enough for most, although I would fear for a mother with buggies and shopping to transport. There is though, seven airbags to keep everyone safe. Bodyshape choice currently runs between three and five-door hatchbacks, plus an SW estate version with the option of a third row of seats.

The 308 is in no way awash with gizmos and gadgets to