The latest Peugeot 308 is a far cry from the mediocre mid-size models the brand was making a decade ago. It's a classy and capable family hatch, with handsome styling and a well-finished interior. Updates for 2017 brought in fresh looks and safety tech, as well as a new diesel engine and auto gearbox. Allure offers plenty of equipment for a relatively reasonable outlay. However, some rivals still offer better value, while so-so residuals and a clunky infotainment system count against it. Taller people may find the driving position difficult to get along with, too. The 308 is relaxing and feels agile to drive, whie its pleasant ride quality and fluid handling inspire confidence. Nearly every engine is excellent, too, with the latest Peugeot PureTech petrol turbos being right on the pace of the BlueHDi diesels. For the first time, a petrol engine may be the better choice for many private buyers. • Best hatchbacks to buy now Passenger space isn’t as good as some rivals in the rear, as Peugeot has given the 308 a bigger boot than most of its rivals. Equipment is generous, and as of 2017 even the base model features sat-nav. Top models boast standard kit normally associated with premium cars, such as massage seats.

Rivals for the 308 are the usual suspects in the compact hatchback class. Chief among them are the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, while the Renault Megane is an alternative French choice. Sister firm Citroen doesn't have a direct rival to the 308, although the C4 Cactus has been repositioned as a hatchback while the new C4 is developed. Elsewhere, the Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed have both been updated recently, while the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra all have their merits, including practicality, low running costs, sporty handling and space. The Peugeot 308 uses the PSA Group's EMP2 platform, which can also be found under the 3008 and 5008 SUVs, as well as the Citroen C4 SpaceTourer people carrier. This platform focuses on saving weight, and as a result the 308 handles far better than its predecessor, but is also more efficient without compromising performance. A major contributing factor to the 308's abilities is Peugeot's range of efficient yet punchy PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines. 17 The entry-level 1.2 PureTech 82 three-cylinder was dropped with the 308's 2017 facelift, and now there are just 110 and 130 versions of this engine offered with 108bhp and 128bhp respectively. Both cars get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while Peugeot's EAT8 eight-speed auto is an option on the more powerful petrol. Peugeot also offers a 1.6 PureTech 225 in the 308 GT, which has 222bhp, while the 308 GTi has a 1.6 PureTech 260 turbo petrol with 256bhp.

1.6 BlueHDi diesels were available at launch, but now the 308 uses Peugeot's latest 1.5 BlueHDi unit. There's a BlueHDi 100 offered in Active spec with 99bhp, while the rest of the range gets a BlueHDi 130 with 128bhp. The most powerful diesel is the older 2.0 BlueHDi 180 GT, which has 178bhp. The 1.5 comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, with an eight-speed EAT8 offered as an option on the 130 version. This gearbox is standard with the 2.0-litre diesel. All versions of the 308 are front-wheel drive, with no option for four-wheel drive, or even the Grip Control system that's available on the platform-sharing 3008 and 5008 SUVs. • Peugeot 308 GTi review One issue you might have with the 308 is its driving position. It was the third car, after the 208 and 2008, to get Peugeot's i-Cockpit layout, which features high-set dials and a small steering wheel designed to help you see them over the rim. While the driving position is better than you'll find in a 208, you still need to move the steering wheel down to your lap to see the dials properly, and not everybody will be able to get on with this low-armed driving position - combined with the small wheel some people might find it feels like you're driving a toy car.