Peugeot 308 Hatch 2014 review

Peugeot's new generation 308 small car arrives this week with a $5000 price cut and a new three pot turbocharged petrol engine.

Peugeot seems focussed on capturing more sales in Australia with its new model.

They benchmarked VW's Golf and want Mazda3 buyers to consider the all new Pug small car, and that just might happen this time around.

The new 308 won this year's European Car of the Year award with the company pointing out its added value, class and comfort as important factors, along with four million kilometres of testing and a body that's 140kg lighter.

But the first models to arrive here miss out on a rear-view camera as standard equipment.

Prices kick off at $21,990 - pretty good compared with the competition, though some are less and have drive away pricing...

The base 308 has steel wheels and a basic multimedia screen.

At the other end of the scale, the Allure touring wagon runs a 110kW diesel with automatic transmission and sells for $37,490.

The car is available elsewhere in a choice of hatchback and wagon bodies, five equipment levels, six-speed automatic and manual gearboxes, and three engines with six power outputs.

Perhaps the most interesting is the new PureTech three-cylinder with six-speed automatic that helps it meet coming Euro6 emission regulations.

Sime Darby, the local Peugeot/Citroen importer, has to contend with a two-stage launch phase for the 308 with the 1.2-litre turbo three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel here now, with a 1.6-litre petrol engine due in March.

The entry level is the $21,990 hatch with Access pack, PureTech 1.2 (96kW/ 230Nm) and five-speed manual. Kit includes six airbags, aircon, the usual electronic aids and a compact leather-wrapped wheel.

Thankfully the 308 has soft-touch plastics, new switches, and soundproofing to deaden unwanted sound from the wheels, drivetrain and wind.

DRIVING

No local launch was held for the 308. The preview was in France over mixed driving conditions designed to highlight the 308 strengths.

On the drive, a choice of sedan and wagon, petrol and diesel, manual and auto, and equipment levels up to a full-length sunroof were available.

Most interest was on the base model which doesn't really feel "base" in the accepted sense. The engine has stop-start and delivers plenty of pep while the six speed auto captures available torque efficiently.

The cabin has adequate room for five inside and it feels bigger than a Golf in this area.

Ride and handling are up to Peugeot's high standards but the entry level 308 couldn't be considered sporty at all.