French Facelift
After it being around for six years we are all used to the chunky shape of Peugeot’s 307 family hatchback. And while it has been a good seller for the French manufacturer, its smaller sibling, the 206, always looked the far more racy model – hence its appeal to women drivers.
But now the replacement for the 307 – imaginatively called the 308 – offers the same family spaciousness of the 307, but with the sexy styling of the 206. And the combination of both factors should ensure that its sales market is far larger than of its predecessor.
The new car still has high upright stance – ensuring a spacious interior and good visibility, but its face, with its sleek, swept back headlights and stylish bonnet with large Peugeot lion symbol is the eye catching aspect which ensures it has plenty of kerb appeal.
Certainly Peugeot designers have managed to make the new car look far more dynamic than its predecessor, with more curves than Naomi Campbell and a waistline that’s just as eye catching.
One of the many appealing features on my SE test was the panoramic glass sunroof, a standard feature which stretches visually the whole length of the car making the vehicle feel light and airy.
The all new interior conveys a feeling of spaciousness and I like the metallic finish centre console which breaks up the dominant back of the dashboard. I did, however, find the channel buttons on the radio small and therefore fiddly to use. Full leather upholstery gives the SE an up market feel and the heated front seats were a real bonus for the winter, working quicker and getting hotter than those on a lot of the far more expensive cars. The same can be said of the heater too. While heaters on certain cars seem to take forever to warm up the cabin in sub zero temperatures the 308 is ultra efficient.
The car comes well equipped with automatic headlights. Automatic windscreen wipers, parking sensors on the rear and no less than seven airbags to protect occupants. Even on the premium level SE model Peugeot has opted for a five rather than six speed gearbox favoured by so many manufacturers today but nevertheless it offers a slick gear change. One the 1.6 litre 150bhp engine provides lively acceleration and is surprisingly economical. The car is quiet and has as far more refined feeling to it than the 307. Shut the doors and they close with the gentlest of pushes with a satisfying clunk. Leg room in the rear is about average for a car of this size but the roof is particularly generous, offering 430 litres of space with the 60/40 rear seat backs in position.
The 308 is a worthy successor to the 307 and will find a lot of friends. But while the price is realistic it is very easy to push it a little out of proportion with a few extras. My high spec test car for example was priced at just under £20,000.
