Peugeot 308 1.2 VTi 82 CV Active, test drive (Equipment, prices and assessment)

We have reached the end of the road test of the Peugeot 308, which has been our featured car in the road test section these days. Specifically, we have tested the smallest petrol engine in the range, the 1.2 VTi 82 CV with five-speed manual gearbox.

The engine is small but it has met our expectations, at least in town and on the open road, although we have already told you all this in the first part of the test. In the second part we analysed the exterior and interior design, now minimalist and modern in style. In this third part we turn to the equipment, safety features, prices and our overall assessment of the car.

Equipment

As always when we review the equipment, we start with the safety features fitted as standard on a Peugeot 308. From the base trim it comes with: front, side and curtain airbags, stability control, ABS with emergency brake assist, active head restraints, among other features.

As for Euro NCAP crash tests, it has achieved five stars, with an adult occupant protection score of 92% and a child occupant score of 74%.

The equipment of the 308 is structured across three levels: Access, Active and Allure. Our test car was an Active, which offers the best value for money in terms of price against equipment, but as standard we find features such as: LED daytime running lights, CD radio with USB and Bluetooth, air conditioning or cruise control with speed limiter, among other features.

The Active level adds the central screen with climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear electric windows, light and rain sensors, and mirrors and door handles in body colour, among other features.

Among the equipment, the new central screen stands out, controlling all the functions of the navigation system (optional), radio, multimedia, apps, on-board computer and climate control. It is not a paragon of speed but it is comfortable. The sound with only 8 speakers is good, although it lacks bass as is normal in the segment.

There is one detail I missed in the instrumentation, which is quite simple, and that is the consumption information and on-board computer. This information is only accessible on the central screen and not on the instrument cluster display. These are just quirks, but I particularly like seeing instantaneous or average consumption details on the instrument cluster.

Prices

• Peugeot 308 5-door Access 1.2 VTi 82 CV PureTech €15,100
• Peugeot 308 5-door Active 1.2 VTi 82 CV PureTech €16,750
• Peugeot 308 5-door Access 1.6 HDi 92 CV €17,250
• Peugeot 308 5-door Access 1.2 e-THP 130 CV PureTech €17,450
• Peugeot 308 5-door Access 1.6 e-HDi 115 CV €18,650
• Peugeot 308 5-door Active 1.6 HDi 92 CV €18,900
• Peugeot 308 5-door Active 1.2 e-THP 130 CV PureTech €19,100
• Peugeot 308 5-door Active 1.6 e-HDi 115 CV €20,300
• Peugeot 308 5-door Active 1.6 BlueHDi 120 CV €20,700
• Peugeot 308 5-door Allure 1.6 HDi 92 CV €20,750
• Peugeot 308 5-door Allure 1.2 e-THP 130 CV PureTech €20,950
• Peugeot 308 5-door Allure 1.6 e-HDi 115 CV €22,150
• Peugeot 308 5-door Allure 1.6 THP 155 CV €22,400
• Peugeot 308 5-door Allure 2.0 BlueHDi 150 CV €24,000
• Peugeot 308 5-door Allure 2.0 BlueHDi 150 CV Auto. €25,200

Overall Assessment

The Peugeot 308 was awarded the 2014 European Car of the Year, and there is certainly no lack of arguments for that award, although the most noteworthy point is the evolution it has undergone compared with the previous generation.

Beyond the exterior design, now more conservative, the interior has been a complete revolution in both design and finish. We liked the quality and the fit and finish; everything is in its place and the overall quality is good (not outstanding, but good).

The engine is the most controversial aspect, because we have tested the smallest petrol engine, with only 82 CV. It is true that it is a small engine and the other compact models in the segment have entry-level engines that reach at least 100 CV. Is an 82 CV engine enough then? If our habitat is going to be the city or the outskirts of large urban areas, it is more than sufficient; the engine can even be an ally thanks to its smoothness, relatively low consumption and greater reliability compared with other more complex or turbocharged engines.

Another detail that we liked is the dynamic level, which is now much more agile than the previous generation and even more dynamic when tackling bends. Finally, we must talk about the equipment, which is quite complete from the base trim, although the best value for money is perhaps this Active trim that we tested.

Photos | Test team, Diego G. Moreira and R.R.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackPeugeot 30824 versions · from 31,770 €