Honda Civic hybrid and Peugeot 308 GT compared

Aussies have gone nuts for high-riding, city-focused softroaders but there are compelling reasons not to join the stampede. Here are two.

David McCowen

4 min read

May 26, 2023 - 12:00AM

News Corp Australia Network

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Want to stand out from the hordes of SUVs on our roads? Why not consider a well-equipped hatchback?

Not a high-performance model wearing “Type R” badges, or a prestige model from Germany, but something from a mainstream brand.

Is $50,000 out of the question? Peugeot and Honda don’t think so.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Cheap cars are not part of Honda’s plan. The manufacturer rebooted its local arm in 2021, culling its range to focus on a handful of generously equipped models sold through fewer dealers for non-negotiable prices.

Priced from about $55,000 drive-away in hybrid trim, the Civic has not attracted hordes of customers.

That’s a shame because the 11th-generation Honda Civic is a great car.

The Honda Civic is expensive, but it’s a lot of fun to drive. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

Spacious, well-built and quiet, Honda’s compact car staple feels half a size larger than its traditional rivals.

Fastback silhouette aside, it doesn’t look particularly special inside or out.

Sure, it has a sunroof and ambient lighting. But hard plastics, less-than-convincing leather and budget-minded details don’t do it any favours.

Honda hits back by nailing the basics. Its driving position is spot-on, with a wide range of adjustment to accommodate all drivers great and small. It has a big boot, a roomy back seat and a comprehensive safety arsenal with almost twice as many airbags as the Peugeot.

Conventional controls make adjusting the airconditioning a straightforward process that’s easy to perform on the fly.

The Civic’s cabin isn’t as attractive as the Peugeot but it’s functional and well put together. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

A 9-inch touchscreen stereo with wireless smartphone mirroring is linked to a 12-speaker Bose stereo with plenty of punch.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid motor that needs 4.2L/100km to make 135kW and 315Nm. It uses significantly less fuel than the Peugeot to make more power and deliver swifter acceleration.

The Honda is also significantly cheaper to service, though its 10,000-kilometre service intervals require more frequent maintenance.

Michelin sports tyres offer impressive grip in the bends, combining with beautifully sorted suspension that offers a rare blend of comfort and cornering ability. Supple over bumps, the Civic retains impressive body control when pressing on.

Both cars are more fun on a twisting road than your average SUV. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

The naturally aspirated engine can be vocal when put to work, but decent performance makes it worthwhile.

Though the Honda won’t win too many beauty contests, it makes sense as a polished and spacious hatch.

Peugeot 308 GT

This French marque wants to be considered on par with Europe’s top brands.

Its argument makes sense when viewed through the lens of exclusivity, as Peugeot is outsold
10-to-one by the likes of BMW – and three-to-one by Porsche.

There’s also something to be said for the Peugeot’s design.

Razor-sharp lights at the front and rear have a slashing, claw-like design that blends well with new badges featuring a chrome lion on a black shield.

It looks striking in metallic green paint offered at no extra cost, complemented by machined 18-inch alloys. Priced from about $53,500 drive-away in GT Premium trim, the Peugeot makes a strong first impression.

The Peugeot looks stunning in metallic green. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

It combines perforated soft-touch leather and suede-like trim with contrasting stitching and pin-sharp mood lighting to impressive effect.

A hologram-like layered digital dashboard looks brilliant, as does a 10-inch infotainment screen underpinned by a second display that serves up digital shortcuts to key features.

The seats look lovely and offer an impressive range of adjustment. They’re also heated, with a massage function rarely found in cars twice this price.

Strange ergonomics compromise the Peugeot’s appeal, though. The tiny steering wheel sits low in your lap, and its upper rim can obscure your view of the speedo.

The 308’s cabin is a classy mix of luxury and tech. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

The central screen has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an inductive charging pad to keep your phone topped up. Tweaking climate control settings through a fiddly menu structure is harder than it should be, and we’ve endured a bumpy road with Peugeot 308 electronics of late that included a car that refused to start, an erroneously triggered antitheft alarm and a temporary shutdown of its infotainment and climate controls.

Peugeot’s generous equipment levels do not extend under the bonnet. Despite wearing “GT” badges, the 308 is powered by a tiny 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that struggles to reach 100km/h in less than 10 seconds.

The Honda feels more sporty on the road than the Peugeot. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

It uses 6.1L/100km to send 96kW and 230Nm to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

It’s hard to get excited about those numbers in 2023, particularly when the 308 had the same engine for less than half the money a decade ago.

The little motor feels stressed when pressed into action, and the automatic frustrates with odd gear selections and the occasionally lumpy gear change.

Lighter and smaller than the Civic, the Peugeot’s darty steering and grabby, oddly weighted brakes require a moment of calibration from drivers. It’s not quite as sweet or sporty as its predecessor.

In short, the driving experience doesn’t match Peugeot’s price tag.