Test drive Peugeot 308 2.0 BlueHDi: commitment to comfort

The compact segment is becoming an increasingly competitive arena, and you can find a vehicle in this class from practically every brand. It is no surprise, since compacts offer great versatility when facing any kind of terrain. This week we wanted to find out how France takes part in this battle, and to do so we have been testing the new Peugeot 308 2.0 BlueHdi EAT6 Allure, which receives a restyling to face the coming years.

The 308 is one of the models most cherished by the lion brand, as it is a vehicle entrusted with a great responsibility, given the segment it belongs to. The Peugeot 308 is, without a doubt, one of the best-selling compacts in recent years. Even so, the French firm has decided to make some slight changes to keep its title intact.

Exterior design: eye-catching yet understated

The new 308 does not offer dramatic changes compared with what was available before the restyling, but it has gained in some respects. The front shows a consistent uniformity, which gives the French compact a sober and attractive touch.

The front grille features a decoration with chrome elements arranged so as to resemble a row of diamonds. We should highlight that the test unit came with the Allure trim, so the 308 adopts a much more austere philosophy, yet one that conveys refinement and elegance across its entire design.

The subtlety of its conception extends throughout the rest of the 308’s body. The side profile is calm, with no showiness but it inspires tranquility and beauty. To give the Peugeot 308 a touch of quality, it has been fitted with several chrome elements that appear in many corners. Besides the front, we can also find them, for example, around the door frames.

The rear follows the same design principles used to conceive the new 308. In my view, it is the most imposing part of the vehicle. The compact has a very wide rear section, which conveys great poise. At the same time, it retains the softness that harmoniously runs through the whole ensemble. Two rear lights frame the boot area, and they extend until reaching part of the side.

Interior design: minimalism everywhere

The interior of the Peugeot 308 has been designed with smoothness and delicacy, aiming to minimize distractions for the driver. Once seated inside the French compact, it is very easy to settle into its plush seats, which cradle the driver’s body perfectly. The first thing that catches the eye is the steering wheel, whose dimensions are much smaller than those of any other competing vehicle.

I must admit that at first I was not entirely convinced, but after living with the new 308 for some time, I found it very comfortable and precise. Its small diameter gives the driver a quick, agile turning radius, allowing manoeuvres with few steering movements. The buttons on its sides are within logical reach, and at no point does it feel as though they are too far apart.

On the other hand, there is the analogue instrument cluster, very traditional and conservative, except for one detail. The 308’s rev counter rises in the opposite direction to the speedometer, which is somewhat confusing at first. On several occasions I found myself thinking the car was about to stall, when in fact it was revving up. In the centre there is a small digital screen, which shows the traditional data, such as consumption, distance travelled and navigation prompts.

On the centre console a much more minimalist design technique has been used, in which the number of buttons has been reduced as far as possible, which has stirred some controversy for me. On one hand, there is a large wheel that lets us raise and lower the radio volume and, next to it, a slot for inserting CDs. Below are the button for the hazard lights and some demisting controls.

The 308 adopts a minimalist design inside, where physical buttons have been reduced to the absolute minimum

The remaining functions are reserved for the 9.7-inch central screen. It offers various features and gives access to the navigation system, vehicle parameters, radio, music and air conditioning. It is very fluid and moves smoothly between the different menus, and it runs a software that is very intuitive and easy to use. However, integrating the ventilation controls into the screen does not fully convince me, since it forces you to exit navigation if you are using it at that moment. Furthermore, the lack of physical buttons requires you to keep your eyes on the screen rather than the road, so it is best to operate it when stationary.

The central tunnel maintains the same minimalist style that characterises this daring 308. In the tested unit we find the EAT6 automatic gearbox, the Sport button to unleash the wilder side of the French lion, the start button and the electric parking brake. This time, the engineers got it right, compensating for the lack of buttons and controls with generous recesses and glove compartments where you can leave your wallet or keys.

Moving to the rear, we find considerable space. It has three usable seats, although the middle one is best kept for short journeys. The rear bench allows two average-sized adults to travel without any problem, offering a level of comfort on a par with the front seats.

Equipment: everything you need and more

If there is one thing to highlight about the Peugeot 308 in Allure trim, it is all the equipment it includes. This version ranks as the second most equipped, overshadowed only by the GT Line trim. The test unit wore attractive 18-inch alloy wheels, which give the compact a touch of elegance. We should also highlight the various chrome elements spread across the door frames, the front grille and several points on the exterior, which creates a very attractive contrast.

The French firm was not going to let the interior fall short of the exterior, especially in the technology department. The touchscreen on the dashboard works beautifully, allowing smooth and effortless navigation. Within it you will have access to navigation, climate control, vehicle data, music and much more. There is also a rear-view and 360º camera, which helps greatly when parking and presents graphics good enough to clearly distinguish all obstacles. The screen is perfectly integrated, offering a unique sense of continuity and elegance. At the same time, several plastics are used in the 308, but overall it conveys good build quality.

This version of the 308 also includes blind-spot warning – a very convenient and safe feature – lane departure warning and start/stop, which helps reduce consumption. Most of the mentioned accessories come as standard, except for the wheels – which cost 380 euros – the body colour, which in the test unit was Dark Blue (470 euros) and the Keyless entry and push-button start system (550 euros).

Performance: a calm-spirited heart

The Peugeot 308 unit that came through our hands was fitted with a 2.0 BlueHDi diesel engine producing 150 CV and 350 Nm of torque. It also featured the six-speed automatic gearbox called EAT6. The compact’s powerplant delivers a ride smoothness well suited to the type of vehicle it is. Without doubt, the power this engine offers is more than enough to move the 308 with ease in any environment we travel through.

The versatility of the 2.0 BlueHDi allows you to tackle urban driving without any problem – though at the cost of low consumption – and travel with complete confidence on the motorway. Its performance is impressive, with quick responses and good low-end pull, where the engine’s reaction is firm and decisive. When the needle approaches the red zone of the rev counter, the 308’s heart begins to falter, though it is not a car designed for sporty driving despite having some aptitude for it.

The 308 with the 2.0 BlueHdi engine proves to be the ideal companion for varied use between city and motorway

In town it is smooth, and the EAT6 gearbox makes it possible to drive in a relaxed and calm manner. The engine is the ideal ally for facing urban traffic without suffering in the attempt. The shift between one gear and the next is imperceptible, helping make the experience aboard the 308 outstanding. Unfortunately, consumption does not match up in this respect, as it records averages that have rarely dropped below seven litres, but this is acceptable considering it produces 150 CV.

Once we leave the city and venture onto the motorway, the behaviour of the Peugeot 308 does not differ much. It continues to offer a smooth and calm ride, qualities that make the French compact the ideal companion for long journeys. At high speeds the gearbox works beautifully, aiming to deliver maximum comfort, although engine insulation is not up to the mark, and the hum of the 2.0 winds its way into the 308’s cabin at higher speeds.

The Peugeot 308 was created with the aim of being comfortable and letting its occupants enjoy a relaxed journey. The suspension has a very well-judged calibration, absorbing the imperfections of the urban road surface. At times it feels as though you are sitting on a cloud, since absolutely nothing is felt, yet it transmits enough feedback at low speeds.

The steering is in tune with the rest of the package. It is soft when driving in the city, and manoeuvring becomes a very undemanding task. However, the soft and comfortable character of the Peugeot 308 does not stand out especially when our sportier, wilder side comes to the fore. When tackling a winding road with the lion brand’s compact, it feels uncomfortable and out of place.

We engage Sport mode to add a spicy touch to the driving, and things change, but not enough. The gear change is not designed for sporty driving, as it does not react as instantly as I would have liked. With sequential mode activated, we can use the gear lever itself to shift up and down as we please, but the behaviour is similar to automatic mode.

Nevertheless, the 308 with this engine and the Allure trim is not designed to attack bends with a knife between its teeth, since the brand offers the GTi version of the compact, far better suited to that purpose. But this vehicle has its place and, when it operates in that setting, it does so wonderfully and surprisingly well.

Conclusion: a vehicle perfectly suited to its environment

After spending several days living with the Peugeot 308 2.0 BlueHdi, I have arrived at the final view that it is an ideal vehicle for covering big mileage or getting around the city. Without doubt, it is a car entirely focused on comfort and calm driving which, thanks to its 420-litre boot and cabin space, becomes the perfect companion for taking the whole family along. Alternatively, we can also opt for the 308 SW estate version, which offers even more space.

This engine offers average consumption of 7.4 litres in town, while in mixed use it drops to around 5.5. Very good figures that will help us save a considerable amount of money. If the Peugeot 308 is going to be used for varied driving, both on the motorway and in town, this engine is highly recommended. If we opt for the French compact to tackle exclusively urban driving, it may be more advisable to choose a somewhat smaller engine. Regardless of this, the 308 is, without a doubt, the ideal candidate for driving in any kind of circumstance.

This new Peugeot 308 is a vehicle well worth considering against other options, both for its sober, elegant design and its smooth, refined mechanics, complemented by a comfortable interior full of details. This combination is superb and suits almost any situation, but it comes at a price, with the test unit costing 27,130 euros, a figure that sits dangerously close to the territory of Germany and Spain, aiming to take on the Volkswagen Golf and the SEAT León, among others.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackPeugeot 30824 versions · from 31,770 €