Peugeot 308 - A stand out, stylish hatchback
So, the clocks have gone forward, the evenings are a bit longer and warm and balmy days are just around the corner.
That’s the theory anyway. However, as the resident bore in my local pub put it the other day; ”We lose an hour’s sleep, but at least it’s an hour less to watch the rain.”
He’s one of those blokes who sucks the life out of any conversation. If any of you are Harry Potter fans, just think of a Dementor. Last week he interrupted an important conversation about the weekend football acca to inform anyone willing to listen that he’d just bought a new handle for his shovel. Fascinating stuff.
However, even he couldn’t detract from what I had just dropped off in the car park. The general consensus was that this is one of the best-looking cars around. Hats off to whoever penned the Peugeot 308. It really is a looker and certainly isn’t your typical, bland, family hatchback.
The first big plus point, after the exterior has caught your eye, is the interior because over the last few years, Peugeot has really upped its game. There’s a premium look and feel to the build quality and standard of materials used throughout the cabin. It’s very smart, and that includes the entry-level models too.
There’s something for everyone in the 308 range. You can choose from electric, hybrid, petrol and, shock horror, diesel. If you do a lot of miles or regularly travel with a full load, and don’t mind people throwing rotten fruit at you because you’re ruining the environment, the diesel is the one to go for.
And then there’s the one you see here. It’s a PHEV, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which means you not only have a 1.6-litre petrol engine under the bonnet but you also have a rechargeable battery and an electric motor which will allow you to travel for up to around 35 miles without using any fuel. If you have a short-ish commute, that could be a massive saving for you.
There are two power outputs available for the PHEV hybrid 308: 182bhp or 228bhp. To be honest, the smaller one is absolutely fine, giving you a 0-60mph time of 7.6 seconds, although it feels quicker because the electric motor helps you get away from a standstill quite briskly. And of course, if you are a company driver, the low CO2 levels from the hybrid 308 won’t hurt your pocket. The bigger output is only available in GT trim but, despite the increase in power (and price) you only slice 0.1 seconds off the 0-60 time. So I wouldn’t bother unless you like nicer wheels.
In terms of fuel economy, Peugeot reckons their 308 PHEV - which they call the Hybrid 180 e-EAT8 - can achieve over 200mpg. Granted, you’ll need to use the battery-powered electric motor to its full extent, however in terms of real world motoring you’re still likely to manage in the 50s mpg.
Out on the road, you can choose from Sport, Hybrid and Electric driving modes. Sport adds slightly more weight to the steering and the 8-speed auto gearbox hangs on for a tad longer. Electric encourages the car to travel using battery power only, although if you need some extra oomph, floor the throttle and the petrol engine bursts into life. The auto gearbox can be a bit sluggish at times, although I used the paddles behind the wheel and it solved the problem. And to be fair, it made for rapid and remarkably smooth changes.
There’s loads of standard kit in the PHEV entry-level Allure trim, meaning you get sat nav, reversing camera, 10-inch touchscreen which can be programmed, smart alloys, front and rear parking sensors, DAB radio, smart phone connectivity, and powered windows all-round, with the rear glass being dark tinted. The daytime running lights are pretty cool and there’s also a comprehensive safety list. Not much you need on top of that list really.
The interior is the 308’s party piece because the i-cockpit design looks terrific and works well for the majority of folk. Some drivers may find the view of the dials can be a bit tricky. The i-cockpit style means that you are supposed to look at the dials over the steering wheel rather than through it. This isn’t helped by the wheel being small (about the size of a medium pizza or a dinner plate). Sometimes, depending on where you like to position the steering wheel, you need to bob your head up and down to check the speedo. Familiarity will probably solve this issue.
Overall, the Peugeot 308, especially this PHEV version, is good to drive, well-equipped, economical, comfy, has a premium interior, super-stylish exterior and a sensible starting price of £39,160. What’s not to love?
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Peugeot
