Peugeot 308Edit
The Peugeot 308 is a compact five-door hatchback produced by the French automaker Peugeot, a cornerstone brand within the European automotive scene. Introduced in 2007 as the successor to the 307, the 308 has evolved across three generations into a family car that blends efficiency, practicality, and modern technology. It has been marketed as a value-driven alternative to more premium rivals, offering strong cruising refinement, efficient powertrains, and a driver-focused interior without the price tag of high-end brands. The 308 has also been a showcase for Peugeot’s design and engineering direction, reflecting a broader push within Stellantis to consolidate platforms and technologies across a wide range of brands.
Generations
First generation (2007–2013)
The first 308 arrived as part of Peugeot’s bid to modernize its line while preserving a practical hatchback ethos. It adopted a clean, aerodynamic silhouette that emphasized low running costs and improved aerodynamics. The interior featured a driver-centric layout that laid early groundwork for what Peugeot would brand as the i-Cockpit—a compact steering wheel and a small digital instrument cluster designed to reduce visual clutter and improve perceived space. Powertrain options ranged from efficient petrol engines to diesel units, with the aim of balancing performance with fuel economy and low emissions for European buyers. The first-generation 308 was well-suited to family duties and fleet use, offering reasonable resale value and straightforward ownership costs relative to some rivals.
Second generation (2013–2021)
The second-generation 308, introduced in 2013, broadened the car’s appeal with sharper styling, improved materials, and a broader engine lineup. It continued to emphasize efficiency, including updated petrols and diesels, as well as a growing emphasis on stop-start technology and automatic transmissions. The larger interior and refined ride helped the 308 compete more effectively against popular compact hatchbacks across Europe and beyond. A key development during this period was Peugeot’s refinement of the interior experience—now commonly featuring the i-Cockpit ergonomics more thoroughly integrated with available infotainment and driver-assistance systems. The 308 also benefited from the Efficient Modular Platform architecture, which improved stiffness, safety, and the potential for hybridization in later versions.
Third generation (2021–present)
The current, third-generation 308 represents Peugeot’s latest attempt to blend efficiency with modern connectivity and driver assistance. Built on a contemporary version of the EMP2 platform, the model places greater emphasis on hybridization, efficiency, and a more upscale interior feel. It is available with petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, giving buyers a range of options that balance performance, emissions, and running costs. The exterior styling continues the brand’s modern design language, including distinctive lighting signatures and a compact, sporty silhouette that aims to appeal to a broad set of buyers looking for a practical yet engaging compact hatchback. The interior remains aligned with Peugeot’s focus on a driver-oriented experience, with the i-Cockpit layout and a simplified, tech-forward control suite.
Design and engineering
The 308’s design lineage emphasizes efficiency and a streamlined user experience. Across generations, Peugeot has pursued a balance of comfort, handling, and value, seeking to deliver a car that is easy to live with while still offering a sense of polish and refinement. The vehicle typically features front-wheel drive and a range of arrangements that prioritize fuel economy and predictable dynamics for daily commuting and longer trips.
Technology and architecture are anchored by the Efficient Modular Platform family of platforms, which underpin numerous Peugeot models and other brands in the Stellantis portfolio. This platform approach allows for modularity in chassis stiffness, weight control, and packaging, which translates into better ride quality and safety characteristics without excessive mass. The 308 also integrates the i-Cockpit concept, which seeks to reduce driver distraction through a smaller steering wheel, a high-position instrument cluster, and a center console oriented toward the driver. In terms of powertrains, the lineup has evolved from traditional petrol and diesel engines toward hybrid options, with petrol engines such as the PureTech family and diesel units like the BlueHDi continuing to play a role in regions where diesel popularity remains strong. Plug-in hybrid variants combine a combustion engine with an electric motor to deliver reduced running costs and lower emissions for urban use.
Safety and driver assistance features have expanded over the 308’s lifespan. Early generations offered essential stability control and airbags, while newer versions add adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping systems, automatic emergency braking, and other driver aids designed to improve safety and convenience in everyday driving and highway cruising. These systems are often packaged with the car’s connectivity suite, including navigation, smartphone integration, and over-the-air updates where available.
Market position and debates
The 308 sits in a competitive segment that includes models such as the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus. Its appeal has rested on a combination of sensible price, comfortable ride, efficient engines, and a relatively refined interior. For many buyers, the 308 represents a practical entry to European-brand ownership without paying premium-luxury prices. The plug-in hybrid variants, in particular, have been positioned to attract buyers who want to reduce daily driving emissions and running costs while keeping flexibility for longer trips if charging infrastructure is a constraint.
Controversies and debates around the model tend to center on broader industry questions rather than product-specific failings. Critics of aggressive electrification policies often point out that subsidies, charging infrastructure development, and government mandates can distort consumer choice and impose higher upfront costs that affect working-class households. A right-leaning perspective might emphasize that a diversified powertrain lineup—combustion engines alongside hybrid options—preserves consumer choice and guards against overreliance on any single technology. Proponents of electrification respond that the long-term savings from reduced fuel costs and lower emissions justify public incentives and infrastructure investment. In this context, the 308’s hybrid variants are seen by supporters as a pragmatic transition tool that can satisfy urban efficiency demands while maintaining familiar on-road behavior for traditional buyers. Critics might argue that incentives should focus more on outcomes and affordability rather than branding or political narratives, and that automakers should retain the flexibility to meet local market needs rather than pursue a one-size-fits-all approach.
In terms of ownership costs, the 308’s value proposition rests on a balance of purchase price, reliability, fuel economy, and resale value relative to competitors. A conservative assessment would highlight that ongoing maintenance costs, insurance, and depreciation are predictable for a car in this class, with the likelihood of favorable total-cost-of-ownership data for well-maintained examples, particularly those with efficient petrol or hybrid powertrains. The platform’s shared engineering with other Stellantis models can also translate into widespread servicing networks and access to parts, contributing to long-term ownership convenience.