Review of 2023 Peugeot 308 wagon and hatch finds premium performer

Wearing the new face of Peugeot, this new 308 hatch and wagon duo offers luxury finishes and refined design … just don’t be in a hurry.

The Peugeot 308 is available in three models, GT Hatch, GT Premium Hatch and GT Premium Wagon.

Swagger was lost from Peugeot for a time.

Look back about 15-odd years ago, and the French brand was entrenched among the posh varieties without the high-end price-tag.

Even before Covid, some models wearing the Peugeot badge felt asthmatic. Both in looks and performance.

With an aim of shifting up-market the marque is edging toward prestige.

Arriving just before Christmas was the new 308, the first model to wear Peuegot’s new “face”, in both hatch and wagon guises. Initially available with one engine, a plug-in hybrid will soon also be available in showrooms to complete the range.

The new front-end face of Peugeot on the 308.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

KEL: Fresh and chic, the 308 is striking and classy. That grille is especially eye-catching.

GRANT: Designed to draw you eye to the roaring lion badge, the model number is featured centrally just above the new grille. Both the hatch and wagon feature lovely lines with body coloured spoilers and lower body sills for additional athletic touches.

KEL: From the outset it feels a step above mainstream. We’ve driven the Peugeot SUVs in the past and the unique driver’s set up has been maintained.

GRANT: In a world of sameness, Peugeot proudly goes its own cabin direction. The driver’s instruments, now in 3D, sit high on the dash while the small flat top and bottom steering wheel is positioned lower to create a head-up style designed to maintain a high driver eye level.

KEL: Given the look and feel I was thinking of a reasonable asking price, above $40k.

GRANT: You’re looking at about $48,000 drive-away for the GT hatch, the premium version adds about an extra $5000. The GT Premium Wagon is closer to $55k.

KEL: I’m not sure whether it’s because of the badge or the finishes that I wasn’t shocked.

GRANT: Basic equipment levels are reasonable for the asking price, with the added bonus of a five-year warranty (meeting the industry standard) and a service pack for $1800 which covers five years. That’s a saving of more than $600 compared to paying as you go.

Plush interior finishes of the Peugeot 308 GT Hatch.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE?

KEL: Dancing tail lights when you unlock the car look great at night.

GRANT: The Peugeot lion badge projected from under the side mirrors were also cool. Having driven a Peugeot for a few months last year I became accustomed to the cabin ergonomics, it’s strange at first but I don’t find it problematic.

KEL: The dual cup-holders in the console, wireless phone charging, and bottle holders in the doors were great functionality … although no heated seats in the GT, just in the Premium Wagon, which also had the awesome massaging front chairs.

GRANT: Taking centre stage in the dash is a 10-inch screen which offers impressive clarity, and there is also a Connected Services function. A three-year complimentary subscription provides live traffic information and map updates through TomTom, and also provides fuel station locations with prices and speed camera alerts.

KEL: The boot space was reasonable in the hatch, but obviously better in the wagon.

GRANT: When you drop the seats on the hatch there is an awkward lip, but the wagon has a flat load space (with levers in the boot to drop the seats), and with some strategic packing we fit 10 full grocery bags and two surfboards.

Refined good looks are a key feature of the Peugeot 308 GT Hatch.

WHAT DID YOU LOATHE?

KEL: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were infotainment inclusions, but it glitched for me on several occasions and wouldn’t respond until turned off and on.

GRANT: I had the same experience. The hatch’s alarm also went off repeatedly for no reason.

KEL: While the cabin design looks nice, I’m not a fan of the gear shifter in the toggle format.

GRANT: We’ve seen a similar set up on Renault and Citroens. We are both beginning to dislike the modern obsession of having the aircon controls embedded in the central infotainment screen.

KEL: Some other brands have made it work, but the Peugeot system makes it a two or three step process. I just want to quickly alter the temperature or fan without taking my concentration away from the road.

GRANT: The 308 also only has a four-star ANCAP safety rating, despite having high levels of tech, it was marked down during crash testing due to its performance for adult front seat protection where it scored 30.09 out of 38.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: Differences between the wagon and hatch were stark. I much preferred the hatch and was surprised when you told me it was powered by the same engine.

GRANT: The 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine generates a typically lovely note, but it’s no firecracker. The old-school zero to 100kmh test has the 308 at just under 10 seconds – which is pretty pedestrian.

KEL: Throughout the test I didn’t find either too sluggish, just that the hatch was far more nimble.

GRANT: Despite being 270mm longer, sitting higher and a greater wheelbase, the wagon is only 10kg heavier. But I agree, the hatch offered far more impressive dynamics with confident directional changes which delivered some fun when the going got twisty and you could use the steering wheel paddle shifters.

The Peugeot 308 GT Premium Wagon.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: Given a choice, I’d take the hatch. While not as functional for family living, I really liked the hatch’s look and performance.

GRANT: Awesome looks and an atypical cabin offer lasting appeal for those chasing something outside of the norm. The 308 is pushing toward premium territory, just don’t expect insane sporting prowess.