In a nutshell
- Peugeot 308 gets improvement to tech and looks a part of a facelift.
- Attractive new ‘Digital i-Cockpit’ with a 10-inch head-up digital instrument panel now comes as standard
- New ‘Vertigo Blue’ paint added to options list.
- GT, GT Premium and GTi versions also now fitted with a ‘Driver Sport Pack’ as standard, which includes a ‘Sport’ button.
Better equipment, more options, and a swanky new paint job - say hello to the updated new Peugeot 308.
This mild facelift is something of a last hurrah for the current 308.
It’s a car that’s going to be completely overhauled for 2021, with a brand new 308 featuring mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains due to be unveiled early next year.
But before that point, Peugeot is still trying to tempt people into ownership.
And this revision is all about offering more bang for the buck before the shiny new model looms into view.
Firstly, Peugeot has revised and simplified the trim levels - which now starts at ‘Active Premium’, followed by Allure, GT and GTi.
The 308 also still comes in either hatchback or ‘SW’ Sport Wagon estate form.
One of the big updates is to the cabin, which now features Peugeot’s Digital i-Cockpit with a 10-inch head-up digital instrument panel, as standard.
A 9.7 inch infotainment touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also comes as standard.
Meanwhile GT, GT Premium and GTi versions also now come fitted with a ‘Driver Sport Pack’ as standard, which includes a ‘Sport’ button that increases the responsiveness of the power steering and throttle, and cars with the automatic gearbox enjoy a sportier gearshift pattern.
While Peugeot talk about ‘enhanced exterior styling’ for the 308, they’re really talking about a new colour option - ‘Vertigo Blue’, which is pictured here - as well as optional new 16-inch Zircon diamond cut alloy wheels.
As before, you can still find a ‘Black Pack’ option, available on GT Premium trim models, where chrome exterior trim is replaced by a gloss black finish, including the front grille, and the Black Pack also includes 18-inch rims.
When it comes to engine choices, Peugeot has actually reduced the options.
Where you used to be able to choose a 2.0-litre diesel engine with 175bhp, that’s now been ditched.
What’s left is a 1.2 litre petrol engine with either 110 or 130 PS, and a 1.5 litre diesel with 130 PS and which can be had as either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic.
The rapid 308 GTi retains its powerful turbocharged 1.6 litre engine producing 260hp, 340 Nm of torque, and acceleration of 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds.
The range-topping GTi is also equipped with a limited-slip differential, 19-inch two-tone alloys, twin exhausts and a black rear diffuser.
As things stand, you can lease the brilliant GTi from around £400 per month, while the base Active Premium models can be had from as little as £236 per month.
If you’re looking for a solid, comfortable alternative to the Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, you can’t really go far wrong with a 308.
And the 130 PS petrol is a really good bet, returning 51.9mpg with CO2 emissions from 126-108g/km - which equates to an affordable BiK band for company-car drivers.
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