Peugeot 308 GT Line Review

The Peugeot 308 first came onto the scene in 2007 and is into its second generation. The compact hatchback really does stand out now, gone is the blandness of the previous generation to be replaced by a stylish car that has seen it crowned 2014 European Car of the Year.

In the new GT Line spec, which is available on the hatchback and SW and replaces the Feline trim, twin exhaust pipes, 18-inch ‘Diamant’ alloys and tinted rear side windows add a sporty element to the 308.

A mixture of engines are available on the 308, the award winning THP, a 3-cylinder petrol and HDi diesels.

We tested the 308 GT Line with the 1.2-litre PureTech THP petrol engine which produces 129hp with 230Nm of torque available. It has a top speed of 125mph and gets from 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds.

Mated with a smooth, precise six speed manual gearbox it offers performance expected from a larger engine but is still highly efficient. It is a very quiet engine when idle and although it does require plenty of revs when starting off, once up to speed it is the ideal long distance cruiser.

The 308 uses the EMP2 platform which has been developed for mid-size and compact cars by PSA Peugeot Citroen. With improved suspension and reduced weight it gives it quite a supple ride, handling is really good with plenty of grip if you want to use it as a sporty drive.

The smaller steering wheel offers plenty of feedback, even though some might not like the size of it. But the whole driving experience is much improved on what Peugeot have offered in the past.

Peugeot have vastly improved model refinement, the 308 proving how keen they are to improve on cars from the past.

The PureTech petrol engine is really refined even at higher speeds and although slightly noisier, the higher performing diesel options aren't too gruff. considering.  

As the cabin is now of a simple design with increased comfort it does make you want to take it on long journeys, but we did encounter some wind noise from the mirrors when motorway driving which made it quite noisy as it filtered in.

New to the 308 is the Peugeot i-Cockpit featuring a 9.7-inch colour touchscreen which displays heating controls, satellite navigation, vehicle information, media and telephone, a high-positioned instrument panel and a high centre console. Keeping it simple is what Peugeot have excelled at with this new layout, no buttons and knobs clutter the interior.

As simplistic as it is, the touchscreen can be hard to operate when you’re on the move and when you want to adjust the temperature quickly, it’s not as simple as turning a dial.

The instrument panel is positioned higher, but depending on your driving position if you have your seat reclined then the top of the steering wheel can make the dials harder to see.

Also, the speedo has an anti-clockwise needle and the rev counter is situated on the left and not right. It does takes some getting used to.

GT Line adds half alcantara trim sports seats which come with lumbar adjustment and a relaxing massage function. Heated seats are an option. The red stitching on the seats and steering wheel and the aluminium style pedals and door sill inserts make the interior really stylish.

For all smartphone and iPod users USB and Aux ports are really accessible in the centre stack, it’s always good to not see them hidden away in armrests where you can’t get to them easily.

Up front there is plenty of space but rear passengers will find it a bit cramped on long journeys if they’re tall.

The Peugeot 308 is best in class with boot space at 420-litres increasing to 1309-litres with seats folded. If it’s a family hatchback you’re looking for then it’s definitely up to the job of transporting adults and kids.

The bottom of the range 308 starts from £14,995 with the GT Line coming in at £21,445. Options include a panoramic glass roof at £500, Pearlescent paint costing £675 and a Open & Go Keyless system at £415.

The 1.2-litre PureTech THP petrol engine emits just 110g/km of CO2 so VED will be free for the first year then £20 annually. Peugeot reckon it has a combined 58.9mpg, the highest we got was 40.8mpg in real world driving conditions.

The 308 comes with a Peugeot two year unlimited mileage warranty and their breakdown assistance service. 

The Peugeot 308 offers a high level of build quality, the interior feels really solid using durable materials and it does feel like quite a premium car.

The previous generation didn’t have any significant reliability issues with owners remarking how pleased they were with the model, but resale values weren’t that great.

Peugeot only managed 20th overall in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, just ahead of Renault and Citroen.

Scoring five stars in the Euro NCAP tests it offers plenty of protection, safety and security for adults, children and pedestrians with airbags, Anti-Lock Braking, Electronic Stability Control with Hill Assist, ultrasonic alarm and deadlocks all coming as standard on the 308. City Park with Blind Spot Monitoring will cost an extra £400 and a Driver Pack featuring cruise control and an emergency collision and brake system will be £450.