Is the new Peugeot 308 family hatchback a class leader? We’ve lined it up against excellent rivals from Seat and Toyota tofind out:
– and it certainly stands out with the French brand’s new shark-nosed grille and ‘fang’ LED daytime running lights. However, unless you go for the range-topping plug-in hybrid version, one thing the new 308 lacks is any sort of electrical assistance to improve its fuel economy – something our other contenders are available with. The
The good news is that acceleration is always very smooth. The bad news is there isn’t much of it. The 120bhp Corolla takes a yawn-inducing 11.0sec to reach 60mph, so it isn’t ideally suited to country road overtakes. That said, it feels nippy enough around town. The electric motor helps the car respond immediately to prods of the accelerator at low speeds, so you can squirt into gaps in traffic with plenty of confidence.
The worst thing, though, is the way the gearbox dovetails with the engine’s stop-start system. Driving the 308 smoothly in slow-moving traffic is almost impossible, because the engine cuts out when you’re trying to slow the car with the brake pedal, while the gearbox is still trying to drive the car forwards. The result is a thoroughly jerky experience and sudden unpredictable lurches when the engine fires up.
If you want something fun, the Leon is your best bet. The only car in the class that betters it is the, and even then the margin is small. It feels light and eager to turn in to bends, grips well and is always neatly balanced. The steering is also sharp, accurate and positively weighted, allowing you to place the Leon exactly where you want it on the road.
The Leon is firmer still and feels more brittle, jostling you around in your seat more noticeably at all speeds. Mind you, anyone who enjoys driving will consider the small compromise on comfort well worth it for the way the Leon goes around corners.
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