Peugeot 308 GT
"Peugeot's warm-hatch may not be the quickest or most responsive, but its dashing good looks and the choice of an estate make it a tempting option."
The Peugeot 308 GT is the French brand's flagship warm model of their five-door hatchback and SW estate. In lieu of a full GTI mode like its smaller 208 brother, the 308 GT has a split personality, providing sensibility and comfort alongside the promise of the odd thrill here and there.
The 308 GT is distinguished by a lower ride height, full bodykit and massive 18-inch alloy wheels. A performance package which sharpens up the steering and throttle response is included and inside, the instrument cluster glows red.
The hatchback model is available with both a 1.6-litre e-THP petrol engine which develops 202bhp and a 2.0-litre BlueHDI diesel engine that produces 178bhp. The SW estate is a diesel only option. The petrol is the least economical, with a fuel economy figure of 50mpg, while the diesel delivers a more wallet-friendly 71mpg. Petrol models are limited to a manual gearbox, while the diesel variants are automatic only.
Good points
The GT's sports suspension really helps to drag the 308 out of the mediocre, as its more fine-tuned approach strikes a finer balance between comfort and responsiveness. The Peugeot 308 is also widely considered to be a looker, and the bodykit added to this model does nothing but improve its image. The LED headlights and slick-looking alloys pull the 308 into the 21st century. If you opt for the diesel estate model, the sharp design is teamed with a huge rear load bay and impressive economy figures, making the 308 GT a tempting prospect indeed.
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Bad points
Priced against its rivals, the 308 does not fare well: the Renault Megane GT Nav 220 is quicker and around ÂŁ2,500 cheaper but, as the name suggests, offers satellite-navigation as standard equipment. Interior quality is poor across the 308 model range and the touchscreen infotainment system is fiddly to use too; the Volkswagen Golf GT 1.4 TSI is similarly priced, but features a much more solid interior and a more intuitive system.
What you get
- Alloy wheels
- Metallic paint
- Folding rear seats
- Electric folding wing mirrors
- Alarm
- Rear parking sensors
- Passenger & Driver airbag
- Front side airbags
- Curtain airbags
- Front fog lights
- Auto climate control
- Leather steering wheel
- Height adjustable driver's seat
- Front electric windows
- AUX stereo input
- DAB Radio
- Cruise control
- Sat nav
- Reversing camera
- Sports suspension
- Sports seats
- Rear electric windows
- Bluetooth
Recommended optional extras
- CD player
- Leather heated seats
Our choice
The 1.6-litre petrol model may not be the most economical choice out of the two available engines, but there will be more smiles per gallon. It also means buyers will experience a manual gearbox, widely considered to be the more involving option for any performance model. Plus, it's around ÂŁ1,500 cheaper than the diesel to buy.
