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Peugeot 308 2011 road test

Peugeot has given the 308 a mid-life nip and tuck, which has the happy result of doing away with the earlier 308’s beaky nose and replacing it with a much smoother look. Overall, it’s a welcome update for the 308’s looks, while under the bonnet are revised engines for greater economy and lower emissions.

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Performance

There’s a plethora of choice when it comes to engines with the revised 308. Four petrol and four turbodiesel engines means there’s something for everyone, yet our pick remains the one up from basic turbodiesel. This is a 112bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel that comes with either a six-speed manual gearbox or Peugeot’s six-speed EGC (electronic gear control) automated manual that does away with the clutch pedal in favour of flappy paddles. Much as the economy and emissions argument favours the EGC gearbox, we’d take the still frugal and clean manual version for its greater driver involvement. In manual or EGC forms, this engine comes with Peugeot’s e-HDi Stop and Start system to cut the engine when the car is stood still. It’s easily the smoothest system for stopping and restarting the engine, helped by it using a belt to fire the engine rather than a traditional starter motor because Peugeot’s system combines the starter and alternator to create a micro-hybrid system capable of recharging the battery as the car slows down. The entry-level diesel is a 92bhp 1.6, while the other two diesels are 2.0-litre units in 150- and 163bhp forms, the former with a six-speed manual gearbox and the latter with a six-speed auto ’box. Petrols are taken care of by a 98bhp 1.4 and a trio of 1.6-litre motors in 120-, 156- and 200bhp states of tune.

Ride & Handling

The Peugeot 308 does a good job of keeping road, with wind and engine noise at arm’s length. What we find more of a problem, though, is the 308’s poor ride quality. On every type of road we encountered, the suspension is always just slightly out of kilter with the level of comfort we’ve come to expect from the best cars in this class, such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. It’s not that Peugeot’s 308 is crude or uncomfortable, more that it’s showing its age in class bursting at the seams with talent. The handling is neat and nimble, showing the chassis of the 308 can still offer some fun to the keen driver, yet the steering misses the slick precision we’ve noted in Peugeot’s recent newcomers: the RCZ and 508.

Build Quality & Reliability

Peugeot continues to offer the 308 with a cabin made from soft-touch materials that feel good to the human hand. It’s all put together with care an attention, so we expect the 308 to stay rattle-free for the duration of ownership. However, there are black marks against the 308 from the JD Power Survey, where owners noted too many faults for the 308 to score more than three stars in this section. We have high hopes for the revised 308, so it could easily improve its score with a little time under its belt to prove its case.

Safety & Security

Peugeot fits ESP traction and stability control as standard to all models and every 308 comes with six airbags. The Peugeot 308 has scored very well in Euro NCAP crash tests. Every model has deadlocks fitted as standard. Some 308 models also come with Peugeot’s Connect SOS system that puts them through to the emergency services if the car is in an accident.

Space & Practicality

In the front of the 308, there’s the same reasonable space for the driver and two-way adjustable steering column. The front seats also adjust for height, so the driving position in the 308 is good, though over the shoulder vision can be hindered by the thick rear pillars. The dash is still simply laid out and makes it easy to spot the relevant button without having to resort to hunt-the-switch or the owner’s manual. Space in the rear seats is a little tight for adults compared to some rivals’ and kneeroom is pinched for taller passengers. However, the 308 offers a good amount of boot space and the rear seats split and tip 60/40 to leave a large cargo bay for trips to take away the garden rubbish or to the DIY store. Only the high-set load sill hinders practicality here.

Ownership & Value

Peugeot has dropped the prices of the 308 range by a considerable amount, which makes them more attractive propositions. A new model regime has been introduced to the 308 range, so entry point is the Access that offers electric windows all round, CD stereo and air conditioning. Next is the Active model with cruise control, 17in alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and Bluetooth connection, while the Allure gains 18in alloys, half leather upholstery, rear parking sensor and panoramic glass sunroof. The sporty GT has twin chrome exhaust pipes, rear bumper diffuser and rear spoiler, and aluminium pedals and gear lever. Peugeot has come up with a fleet-specific SR model for company drivers that offers much the same as the Active trim but with satellite navigation and 16in alloy wheels. There is also the Oxygo model that is a standalone 308 version with carbon dioxide emissions of 98g/km to qualify for free road tax and appeal to company drivers. Our favourite 1.6-litre diesel with 112bhp offers CO2 emissions of just 109g/km (104g/km with the EGC gearbox) and superb 67.2mpg average economy.

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