The redesigned Peugeot 308 family hatchback, along with its estate sibling the 308 SW, has arrived in the UK boasting a more striking design and significant price reductions. This refresh makes the 308 an even more compelling choice for buyers considering popular alternatives like the Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf.
Both the standard hatchback and the spacious estate are now available as plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or fully electric vehicles (EVs), with starting prices beginning at £29,995 and £29,495 respectively for the hybrid models. These figures drop to £31,195 and £30,695 once the UK government’s £1,500 Electric Car Grant is applied to the EVs.
Interestingly, this price advantage extends to the electric 308 compared to its Vauxhall Astra Electric counterpart. While the cheapest Astra Electric is around £3,000 more expensive before government incentives, shoppers currently benefit from substantial discounts on pre-registered Astra Electrics through specialized buying services.
When comparing petrol-only models to hybrids with automatic transmissions (a combination often found in modern family cars), the 308’s entry-level hybrid comes in at roughly £1,500 more than its Vauxhall Astra equivalent. However, Volkswagen Golf buyers seeking a similar level of specification will need to spend closer to £32,000 for a mild-hybrid model with an automatic transmission, highlighting the 308’s competitive pricing across various powertrain choices.
New Features and Styling
The updated Peugeot 308 offers three trim levels: Allure, GT, and the newly introduced GT Premium. All versions come standard with an intuitive 10-inch touchscreen boasting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, LED headlights featuring Peugeot’s signature three-claw design, a 180-degree reversing camera for enhanced visibility, adaptive cruise control for convenient highway driving, and driver-attention warning to promote safe operation.
GT trim elevates the experience with matrix LED headlights that automatically adapt to surrounding traffic conditions, an illuminated Peugeot shield badge on the front grille adding a touch of elegance, leather-effect and cloth upholstery for added comfort, ambient lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere, keyless entry for enhanced convenience, front parking sensors for easier maneuvering in tight spaces, and stylish 18-inch alloy wheels.
The top-of-the-line GT Premium builds upon these features with a heated steering wheel for winter warmth, heated and massaging front seats for luxurious relaxation, a comprehensive 360-degree camera system for unparalleled situational awareness, a cutting-edge 3D instrument display to enhance driver information presentation, premium Alcantara upholstery for sportier styling, and advanced driver assistance technologies including blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert for increased safety.
Powertrain Enhancements
The new 308’s powertrains boast notable improvements over their predecessors. The entry-level model features a familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, generating a combined output of 143bhp and achieving fuel efficiency up to 62mpg.
Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid version utilizes a more powerful 193bhp seven-speed automatic system shared with the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs. Despite a slight decrease in power compared to the previous generation’s 222bhp setup, performance is noticeably enhanced with the 0-62mph sprint reduced to 7.6 seconds. Crucially, the electric range has been extended by six miles to 53 miles thanks to a larger 17.2kWh battery, making it more practical for daily commutes or shorter journeys without relying on fossil fuels.
Adding further appeal is the continuation of the 128bhp diesel engine option, driven primarily by demand from police fleets despite the ongoing decline in diesel car popularity.
Electrified Performance Boost
Electric versions now utilize a larger 55.4kWh usable battery pack (upgraded from 50.4kWh), resulting in impressive WLTP range figures of 279 miles for the E-308 hatchback and 275 miles for the E-308 SW estate – an increase of 25 miles and 20 miles respectively.
These figures place the Peugeot models slightly ahead of the most affordable Volkswagen ID.3 (offering 241 miles) but trail behind the range-topping ID.3 variants, which boast a claimed 371 miles. Notably, the E-308’s rapid charging speed remains at 100kW maximum, lagging behind several competitors who offer 120kW or higher for faster replenishment.
However, Peugeot has addressed a long-standing criticism of its EVs by introducing adjustable brake regeneration via paddles on the steering wheel. This allows drivers to customize energy recovery levels during deceleration, aligning it with modern EV norms and likely paving the way for similar features in other Stellantis-owned electric vehicles like those from Vauxhall and Citroen in future updates.
Design Refinements
The 2023 Peugeot 308’s exterior undergoes a notable transformation with its redesigned front end featuring an illuminated logo, a trend adopted by brands like Vauxhall and Volkswagen. This illuminated badge, available on the top-spec GT and new GT Premium trims, is integrated into a broader reshaping of the grille for a sharper, more aggressive look.
Peugeot has replaced the previous model’s large gaping grille with smaller body-colored inserts, creating a sleeker aesthetic. The “three-claw” daytime running light signature now replaces the outgoing car’s vertical bar, and on GT and GT Premium trims, short vertical lighting elements flank the illuminated logo across the bonnet for added visual impact.
The main headlamps are integrated beneath these daytime running lights, further enhancing the impression of width through sculpted bumpers and large air vents designed to optimize airflow around the wheel arches for improved aerodynamic efficiency.
Peugeot’s design project manager Michael Trouve emphasizes this generational change, stating: “This is a generational change and with the new lighting signature moves the car into a more electrified era.” He further explains that the concealed headlamps contribute to an “electric gaze” by drawing attention to the prominent three-claw lighting signature.
Beyond these frontal changes, all models now feature the previously GT-exclusive 3D three-claw rear lights, while Lagoa Blue and Ingaro Blue color options become available for the hatchback and estate respectively.
Interior upgrades include revised seat fabrics and updated graphics for the instrument cluster, with the top-end GT Premium specification adding Alcantara heated massage seats, a 360-degree camera system, Driver Assist Plus safety pack, and an alarm.
Conclusion
The redesigned Peugeot 308 and 308 SW offer compelling reasons for potential buyers to consider them seriously in this competitive segment. Attractive pricing across all powertrain options, combined with increased range for both hybrid and electric models, positions the 308 as a practical choice for those seeking efficiency alongside style. The modernized design language and enhanced interior amenities further elevate its appeal.
