Peugeot 308 – The most practical small family car

Peugeot 308

The small family car is so important to car makers, with many choosing to play it safe when it comes to styling. Not so with the Peugeot 308. Bold styling sets it apart from its rivals.

The 308 has one of the boldest faces on the market today. It’s dominated by a huge grinning grille and a pair of headlights which sweep along the car’s flanks.

The Peugeot 308 looks and feels like it’s a real quality product inside. It looks every bit as stylish as an Alfa Romeo, but still clearly a Peugeot.

The Peugeot 308 is among the most practical cars in its class, with a bigger-than-average 430-litre boot (which rises to 508 with the rear seats folded), even though access is hampered by a high lip. The 308 has large door pockets, although fewer spaces for smaller items than we’d hoped for.

The 308 has a firm ride, never jarring or uncomfortable, but remarkably compliant making for a car that’s eminently chuckable on twisty roads.

The 308’s predecessor, the 307 performed better than average in terms of the cost and frequency of breakdowns.

French cars generally score well in the EuroNCAP crash test programme, and the 308 has followed suit.

The handsome Peugeot 308 is likely to be bought by style-conscious motorists left cold by its safe-looking rivals. There’s more to the 308 than a sharp suit, although in terms of driver involvement and price, it struggles against the best cars in its class.