Peugeot 308 Reviews

As much as they've tried, and tried they have, French cars haven't made much progress in this market, which must be galling to them given that their German rivals are going gangbusters.The Peugeot 308, for instance, was launched with the claim that it was as well built as its cross-border rivals, and drove as well as they did too. The company was trying to make up for the shortcomings of the 307, which had been slammed for its looks and lack of dynamics. To start with the 308 was aligned with the more attractive 207 and 407 models, given the same dynamic styling that made the other models their appeal.The 308 was marginally larger than the 307, being longer and wider, with a wider track for a bigger footprint to aid the on-road stability. It was also heavier, which didn't help the performance. Inside, it had decent head and legroom, and comfortable seats, but the boot was smaller than the 307's and most of its rivals.Underneath it was similar to its predecessor, with MacPherson Strut front suspension and torsion beams at the rear. There was a good choice of engines, with two petrol and diesel engines. The transmission choices, depending on the model, were five-speed manual and auto, and six-speed manual and auto. Standard equipment included dual climate controlled air-conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, power front windows and MP3 connection. A full-sized spare wheel is also standard.IN THE SHOPThe lack of complaints about the 308 received at Carsguide suggest it is doing the job for its owners, although it is too early to give it a conclusive tick of approval. Prospective buyers need to be aware that the 308, like all European cars, tends to consume brakes faster than cars from other parts of the world. Expect to be replacing pads, and perhaps also discs, every 50,000 km or so. Maintenance is also crucial so look for proof of servicing when inspecting a car prior to purchase.UNDER THE PUMPFuel economy was a strong point of the 308, with the small petrol engine using only 7.7 L/100 km and the smallest turbo-diesel engine using only 5.1 L/100 km.IN A CRASHFive stars was the best stamp available to carmakers from ANCAP and the 308 received it. It was fully equipped with front, head and side airbags, there were ABS brakes, and on all models but the base XS there was also electronic stability control.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $27,990 to $38,990Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 88 kW/160 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 80 kW/140 Nm; 110 kW/240 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 100 kW/320 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed man, 6-speed auto. 6-speed man; FWDEconomy: 7.7 L/100 km (1.6), 8.2 L/100 km (1.6T), 5.1 L/100 km (1.6TD), 6.8 L/100 km (2.0TD)Body: 5-door hatch, 4-door wagonVariants: XS, XSE, XTE, XTSSafety: 5-star ANCAPVERDICTMore refined, roomy cabin and more stylish looks, but is pricey.

Peugeot's 308 was a polarising car when it arrived a few years ago — that big, froggy mouth, the under-tuck at the rear, the long front overhang — you either liked it or didn't.It's undergone a mid-life revamp which sees a styling tone-down shrinking the grille, changing the bonnet and bumpers and adding new lights including LED running lights.Inside has also undergone modest changes. The effect is positive and should give the 308 broader appeal.VALUEWe drove the mid-range Active five-door hatch with six-speed auto that sells for $31,490 — edging towards the premium end of the small car spectrum. It's not as exey as a 1-Series BMW but is in there with Golf.Active spec' brings plenty of goodies including an electric parking brake, park assist front and rear, Bluetooth, satnav, dual zone climate control, auto wipers and headlights and sports seats (no leather).The audio is good and fully connected while the 16-inch alloys are on the small side these days. Something else to consider is the fixed price service plan applicable to 308 which effectively means you pay $330 a year (every 20,000km).SAFETYThe 308 scores a five star rating and has the full array of active and passive safety equipment, bolstered by the front and rear park assist and other handy stuff. The inherent safety of 308's dynamics also contribute to its safety because you can more readily avoid a collision.UNDER THE BONNETPlenty of kick comes from the 1.6-litre, turbo petrol four cylinder with variable inlet valve timing. Peugeot is another automaker with the high tech/smaller capacity engine philosophy (like VW and BMW) and it works a treat.Some 115kW/240Nm percolates from the smooth, punchy engine that is capable of sipping 7.4-litres/100km, 6.6 in the manual. Emissions are low contributing to the 308's Euro 5 endorsement. The six-speed auto is silky smooth and almost intuitive contributing to the positive feel of the car in all driving conditions. It doesn't have paddles but there's a sequential stick shift mode.INSIDE"Impressive'' encapsulates the interior's looks and function. As good as a VW — possibly, but much better than the mainstream small cars — Corolla, Lancer, Civic, Cruze. It's as good as new Focus but not as funky.The sporty seats are comfy and have plenty of adjustment, the dash has a smooth shape, the instrumentation is classy. It's a roomy interior with a huge windscreen while the boot is a decent size, expandable with folded rear seats.THE DRIVELoved driving this car because it has a distinctive feel and plenty grunt to get you places without slurping much fuel. The auto is a cracker and would be on our check list. Ride from the simple Macstrut front and beam rear suspension is surprisingly competent offering comfort and control with a sporty edge.This is aided by the electric steering and strong brakes. The 308 has shed 25kg this model and it feels lithe and sporty behind the wheel — very satisfying. Solid.VERDICTYes, we had pretty much forgotten about Peugeot 308 as a small car contender — big mistake. It's heaps better than many offerings in the segment and has plenty of class at an affordable price. The new look has more appeal and Peugeot seems to have regained its suspension prowess.PEUGEOT 308Price: starting from $31,490Engine: 1.6-litre, turbo petrol four cylinder, 115kW/240NmThirst: 7.4-litres/100kmTransmission: six-speed auto, six-speed manualSafety: Five star rating

Peugeot have added a new dimension to their small car garage with the 308 Touring. Miserly at the bowser, it is perfect for small enviro-conscious families who need just a little more space than a regular hatch, without opting for the big boofy 4WD tank.The 308 Touring is a six-speed automatic, powered by 2.0 litre diesel that puts out 100kW at 4000 rpm and 320Nm at 2000 rpm. It has a combined fuel economy figure of 7.1l/100km and it emits 187g/km of CO2. It gets to the 100km/h mark in 13.2 seconds.With body-coloured door mirrors and handles and 16 inch alloys, the XSE is noticeably primed compared with the base XE. Given it’s the Touring variant, the back half is longer and boxier than the straight hatch but the front loses none of the smaller car’s sporty appearance.Inside, you get a leather trimmed steering wheel, although minus any controls, a big glass sunroof, a nice, clean clutter-free dash, plus loads of storage. There is a decent sized drawer under the front passenger seat, map pockets, stowage bins and a centre console area for drinks.Seating is a big feature in the Touring with three independent foldable, removable seats in the back, allowing for dozens of possible seating combinations to suit. When up, boot volume is 674 litres but when down it becomes a cavernous 2149 litres of space.On top of the comprehensive airbag package the Peugeot 308 Touring safety list includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and electronic stability program.The Peugeot 308 Touring starts at $31,990 and tops out at $37,990.At first glance we weren't overly keen on the shape. The rear end seemed a bit like a tacked-on boxy afterthought, not in keeping with the sharp creases and long lines of the front. But we supposed there must be the odd sacrifice when converting a hot hatch into a seven-seat family transporter.In general terms, most European car interiors smell the same, and that smell evokes thoughts of luxury, style, quality and tradition. It's something that European cars have over other non-Euro marques, and it's exactly how we felt after stepping into the 308.There was nothing too fancy or over the top inside our Peugeot but we liked that the dash layout was simple and intuitive, and that the seats were comfortable and supportive.We only had three small kids to test the second row of individual seats and they sat snugly, so we reasoned three adults may find it a bit of a squeeze. But it's the cargo area where the 308 Touring jumps to another level. With the seats up it’s already quite spacious but with all but the front seats down and flat, the area is massive. So a young family, keen on the odd road trip, will be more than pleased with this Peugeot's ability to get them there stress free.They will also reach their destination economically, with the smooth and torquey turbo diesel. Off the mark, the 308 punches swiftly. At speed a gentle tap on the throttle swooshes the car promptly, with no lag and plenty of potential.  We noticed the lack of buttons and levers on the steering wheel – there are none – and wondered why even the basic controls were missing.Obviously the car's size makes it brilliant for city driving too. Parking is a breeze and the superior suspension set-up prevents chipped teeth when failing to avoid potholes and ruts.We couldn’t find much wrong with the Peugeot 308 Touring. It won’t do for larger, older families – and the shape does take a bit of getting used to – but for starting out as a family unit, you will be hard pressed to do better than this Pug.

Style affects how you walk, talk, what you eat, who you count and friends, what you think and your possessions.  Ultimately, style appears to be all about you. But it is a trick. In fact, style is totally aimed at impressing everyone around you.Style is, therefore, not for everyone. Just the French.  So it shouldn't be a surprise that French car manufacturer Peugeot makes style on wheels that is designed to impress.  Peugeot's latest is the 308CC, a metal folding roof convertible that reeks of head-turning appeal. And style.It arrives as a young woman with a softly rounded wedge with narrow, stretched headlights and a steeply-raked windscreen. Impressive. Yet it departs as a matron disappearing down a hospital corridor with a rather round-bottomed, frumpy and overweight carriage.This juxtaposition shouldn't be derided, for part of the French style is incorporating some room for function. The bulbous tail is simply where the metal roof must hide away and still leave room for madame's luggage.  Of course, you don't see this when you're driving because the whole experience is there to impress others.Features rate highly and include the ‘airwave’ system that, like the Mercedes airscarf, blows warm air from the front seats around the front occupants' necks and shoulders. The front seats also hide side head airbags - a first in a production car - that helps the 308CC get the difficult five-star crash rating.But Peugeot hasn't taken it all away. The 308 chassis and drivetrain are a lovely combination that melds positive handling with a soft ride.  The engine is a sweet 2-litre turbo-diesel that is shared with other members of the Peugeot family. The CC represents the first time the words Peugeot, diesel and convertible have been in the same sentence.On paper the inclusion of the diesel appears detrimental to the CC's obvious sporty connotations. It shows a rather wimpy 100kW though the meaty 320Nm of torque at 2000rpm makes up for the loss.  In practice, the engine really makes the 380CC a desirable package even though acceelration isn't its strong point.It drives the front wheels via a six-speed sequential automatic - with steering wheel paddle shifters - that adds icing to the engine's appetising characteristics.Behind the wheel the CC - standing for Coupe Cabriolet - is an odd experience. There's an awful lot of pointy sheet metal out in front that you can't see from the driver's seat. The side windows are high and the seats are a bit low so you feel surrounded by metal. Even though you know the tail is a big, rounded appendage, frustratingly it isn't visible to the driver.What is visible is plenty of bling, from the chrome edging of the instruments to the bright metal gearknob and alloy foot pedals that reach a near molten state in summer. It looks great but combine that expansive windscreen and a hot day and the result will bake the cabin and fry your exposed body parts.That's exacerbated by an airconditioner that blows warm air for the first 10 minutes while the occupants wither like hot lettuce. There is a problem with Peugeot airconditioning units and this needs to be fixed.  That aside, the CC is one cool car. It gets heads turning and rewards its driver with neat and connective handling and an engine that pulls so strongly at low revs in every gear.The acceleration is reasonable but the real bonus of the diesel is the ability to quickly get the power to the wheels as the gearbox progresses up the cogs. This strength also slashes overtaking times.  Even better is that it's a quiet diesel and doesn't ruffle the convertible's image.The 308CC is sold as a four-seater but it's a bit tight in the back. It gets its portliness from the electric roof and the associated engineering needed to keep the chassis - unaided by a welded roof - from twisting.  That's why the handling is so good and the acceleration just so-so.But despite its faults, it's a lovely car. A car to be seen in and to be seen to own. Everyone will be so impressed.Rating: 84/100

Byron Bay was the apt launch venue for the Peugeot 308CC this week. You can just picture the vehicle slowly promenading topless through the trendy shopping scene or by the beach with gorgeous, tanned blonde passengers in their oversized D&G sunglasses and their skimpy tops.But Peugeot Automobiles Australia marketing manager Richard Grant insists the new 308-based coupe cabriolet has more macho styling that will attract more male buyers aged over 40. Sure, it features some bulging panels and sporty rear diffusers, but it retains the 308 grille and headlights which have a more feminine look.Yet it also features the same spirited engines and driving dynamics of the 308 hatch and Touring.Platform and room At 1587kg kerb weight, the turbo manual is 44kg heavier than the 307CC and 185kg heavier than the XSE turbo manual hatch. However, with a slightly lower suspension setting and stiffer chassis it is every bit the driving equal of its main rival, the VW Eos.A big improvement is the amount of boot space, up 15 per cent on the 307CC, yet there is also a full-size spare under the cargo floor. Rear passenger room is still very limited, even though Peugeot has paid more attention to the +2 aspect with rear air vents and nicely contoured seats.Variants and equipment It comes in five model variants in CC and CC S trim with two power output versions of the turbo petrol 1.6-litre engine and the two-litre HDi diesel.Standard in the CC models are cruise control, stability control, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sensors. The CC S adds leather trim (a $2900 option in the CC), electric heated front seats, tyre pressure monitors, 18-inch alloys, front parking sensors, Xenon headlights with washers, and Airwave and windstop ($1200 option in the CC).The Airwave is simply a heater which blows air on to the back of the neck of the front seat passenger and driver. The amount of air, heat and direction can be adjusted to suit conditions and the height of the occupant. It's a nice touch that you would expect in pricier models, and opens up the vehicle to be driven top-down through the cooler months of the year. However, the heater fan is a little noisy being so close to your head. The windstop can be hidden away in the boot and there it should stay as it's really not needed to reduce wind noise with the top down. It's rather quiet for a convertible.Another nice touch is the programmable remote key which can also lock the tiny glovebox and centre console so you can leave valuables behind even with the top down.Peugeot also boasts a five-star rating for passenger protection in Euro NCAP with its inclusion of six airbags, including twin side airbags in front plus pop-up roll over protection in the rear head restraints.The steel folding roof deploys in about 20 seconds using five hydraulic actuators and can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 12km/h. Unlike some of its competitors, it doesn't creak or groan when in the coupe position.SalesPeugeot Automobiles Australia general manager and director Ken Thomas believes they will sell about 300 this year; 165 petrol and 135 diesel with 220 CC and 80 CC S. In 2010 he predicts sales of 600 with 280 petrol and 320 diesel and about a third CC S.Driving The first glitch I noticed in the CC S with electric front seats is that if a passenger gets in the rear, the seat slides all the way forward, but then you have to stand outside the car and press the button to slowly roll the seat back before you can fit in behind the steering wheel. It's a common occurrence with electric front seats in coupes and it's annoying, especially if it's raining or cold and you have to wait those few seconds before getting in.Inside is a comfortable and friendly environment in the cabin, despite its quirky Frenchness. There is a fair amount of glare from the dashboard in direct sun and the white instruments are impossible to read on a sunny day. Obviously there are not a lot of sunny days in France.It also has short footwell for short French people. However, the steering column has good reach adjustment, so it's possible to find a good seating position unless you are a really tall supermodel.Peugeot has done a lot of work on noise, vibration and harshness to deliver a car that is very quiet until it hits coarse-chip bitumen and then the tyre noise and rear wheel arch drum become intrusive.Out on the road, it thrives on the juicy turbo petrol engine and meaty diesel powerplant. Handling is pin-sharp with good feedback from the steering wheel and no scuttle shake or rack rattle that plagues many other convertibles.However, corrugations did provide a bit of steering column shudder, but we're talking big corrugations around Nimbin where the council seems to have a very laidback hippy attitude to road maintenance.The French have done a nice job of updating their CC in line with the advances made in the 308 platform. It remains to be seen how many are captivated by its driving dynamics.Peugeot 308CC Prices (not including dealer and statutory charges): 308CC 6-speed manual, turbo petrol $48,990 308CC 4-speed auto, petrol $50,990 308CC 6-speed auto, diesel $52,990 308CC S 4-speed auto, petrol $57,990 308CC S 6-speed auto, diesel $59,990Engines: 4-cylinder 1.6 turbo petrol and 2.0 HDi turbo dieselPower: 110kW @ 5800rpm (1.6) and 103kW @ 6000rpm (1.6), 100kW @ 4000rpm (HDi)Torque: 240Nm @ 1400rpm (1.6), 320Nm @ 2000rpm (HDi)Economy: (combined l /100km): 7.5 (110k), 8.1 (103kW), 7 (HDi)Emissions: (g/km): 177 (110kW), 192 (103kW), 185 (HDi), Euro 4Transmission: 6-speed man and 4-speed auto (1.6), 6 auto (HDi)

The nine new models kick off with the release of the 308CC and end with the RCZ 2+2 Coupe in July next year.

The French company's sales are down by close to 20 per cent at a time when the rest of the car business, until this month, has been doing very nicely.Peugeot puts its troubles down to the transition to the all-new compact 308 and says the arrival of the Touring wagon, which will be joined by its 308CC before the end of the year, will turn things around.It also believes its new Expert and Partner vans, which landed as the same time as the Touring, will give it a much-needed boost on the commercial front.“It's been a tough year for us. However, I think running out the 307 is well behind us and we can make up lost ground with the 308,” says Ken Thomas, national sales manager for Peugeot.“We're going to capitalise on the strong reputation we have built in the small wagon market. It's an important launch for this brand. Its got great styling, technology and unique features, with up to seven seats and a full glass roof.”The 308 Touring is more like an oversized hatchback than a tradition wagon, so in some ways it is similar to the new Holden Commodore Sportwagon. But the Peugeot is uniquely French, from its good looks to an emphasis on the diesel engine which is expected to draw the majority of sales.The objective is to sell more than 1000 wagons before the end of the year, and closer to 1900 in 2009, as Peugeot aims to hit 9000 total sales for '08.The Touring package is priced from $30,590, with a choice of two trim levels, four engines — two diesel, two petrol — and both automatic and manual gearboxes with front-wheel drive. The specification is pretty comprehensive, although ESP stability control is only an option on the basic CS model.The Touring is based on the latest 308 mechanical package, which means fully independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and a safety package including six airbags and anti-skid brakes with brake assist and a system which triggers the hazard lights in extreme braking.The XS opens the action with air-con, cruise control, remote central locking and the full-length glass sunroof, while the XSE tips in ESP, rear parking radar, alloy wheels, and rain-sensing wipers. Leather seats and a multi-media sound system are optional.The four-cylinder engines are 88 and 103 kiloWatt petrol motors, which Peugeot calls VTi and THP for the turbo, and 80 and 100 kiloWatt diesels. There is a six-speed manual for all engines, but the automatic is only a four-speed on the petrol engines, upgrading to a six on the diesels.Peugeot does all its comparisons against the outgoing 307, talking up the increased rigidity of the new body as well as a bigger boot and more cabin space.But the bottom line on a wagon is the seating and space. The Touring has 'theatre' seats, with tiered settings to improve visibility and reduce the chance of a car sick child, although the third-row lineup is only called 'occasional' and there are a huge number of storage choices.“There are seven seats and they are plug-and-play. You can move them around and there are a huge number of combinations,” says Peugeot's Glenn Forester.The 308 Touring is everything you expect of a Peugeot. It looks good, is very comfortable, there is a lot of creative thinking, and it drives well.The 2-litre petrol model gets along well and has a responsive gearbox, although the 1.6 is likely to struggle particularly with a family load. The 2-litre diesel is responsive and works well with either manual or automatic gearbox.The diesel also shows Peugeot's class and experience, as it is extremely quiet at both start-up and highway cruising speeds.The cabin is roomy for the class, the seats are comfy and supportive, and the equipment is everything you would want or need — apart from ESP on the base car.The flexibility is excellent and you can mix-and-match the seats, or remove some completely, depending on your needs. It takes a bit of learning but is very worthwhile and advance over other compact wagons we have driven.The panoramic sunroof is a nice touch and will definitely get people looking, but also has a proper sun-blocker for hot weather.Peugeot deserves to do well with the Touring but needs to make more noise to get back on shopping lists in Australia, instead of relying on repeat business from existing owners. 

The 308 CC (coupe-cabriolet), with a folding hard top that deploys in 20 seconds, will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in September.Peugeot Automobiles Australia PR manager Mathew McAuley said it would likely be released here in the first quarter of next year. “It's too early to say what specs will be offered locally,” he said.The four-seater 308 CC will come with a new two-litre diesel engine producing 104kW of power and a six-speed manual.It has a wider front and rear track than the 308 hatch with larger diameter disc brakes and electronic stability program.The CC version also will feature air vents which muster warm air around the occupants' neck, like Mercedes-Benz's “air scarf” in the SLK. Peugeot calls theirs an “Airwave” system.It will include rear roll-over protection bars, automatic remote-control locking of interior storage compartments, rear seat access which electrically slides the front seats forwards, deadlocking of doors and selective unlocking and LED courtesy lighting in the door mirrors.

Despite a tidal wave of SUVs swamping family buyers, Peugeot says the latest 308 wagon -to be called Touring when it arrives in Australia in August will re-define the market. It has proven to be a success even before it goes on sale. So far Australians have pre-ordered almost the entire 308 Touring annual quota of 1150 units.The wagon comes with a seven-seat option, tackling the bigger and more fuel-sapping SUVs with temporary room for two children.There's also a full-length glass roof as standard and flexible concepts such as the three individual centre-row seats, which are removable and can even be repositioned as two seats. The 308 Touring's rear window is bigger and curved and flips up independently to the tailgate.The wagon comes in small-bore diesel and petrol, turbocharged petrol and big-bore diesel, with transmission variants from four-speed and six-speed autos to the new, slick, six-speed manual. All this and a forecast $30,590 opening price for the automatic petrol XS version is intended to build on the tremendous success of the 308's predecessor, the 307. Peugeot Australia spokesman Mathew McAuley says the Touring is expected to account for 40 per cent of 308 sales.A lion's share of the Touring sales will be diesel, though this won't be as high as the 75 per cent take-up witnessed in the 307. He expects 65 per cent of Touring buyers to take up the $1200 seven-seat option as an after-sales accessory.Also on the option list is leather upholstery, including heated front seats, for $2900.Pricing for the Touring starts at $30,590 and rises through the seven models to $38,390 for the two-litre XSE turbo-diesel automatic.The wagon is $1600 more expensive than the hatch versions. But the new 308 Touring gets more features, including the panoramic glass roof that is normally a $1000 option.Clearly, it is based on the 308 hatch and yet it has a long list of unique features.The wheelbase is 100mm longer and the length is out by 224mm, so it has improved legroom in the centre and rear.The centre seat is on rollers for a 90mm fore/aft adjustment that expands the third row's legroom. Peugeot correctly terms the third row as occasional and while an adult can squeeze in here, it's purely for smaller people.The boot gets a roll-out cover blind, luggage net, carry hooks and a removable and rechargeable torch that doubles as the cargo light. A full-size spare wheel is located beneath the chassis. Now that the family is seated, Peugeot went for enhancing the wagon's ownership and started with economy.The European-spec tyres are Michelin's new Energy Saver rubbers _ not yet specificed for Australia _ that claim a 13 per cent fuel saving on the previous 307 wagon. The new Touring is sleeker and its slippery aerodynamics will further trim fuel consumption while cruising.Thankfully, the 308 Touring doesn't share the 207 Touring's awkward rear end. A long wheelbase, compliant suspension and the promise of a perky turbo-petrol engine make on paper at least the 308 Touring an appealing all-purpose machine.That promise transfers neatly into the tangible, though the degree is dependent on the engine chosen. Australia will get four engines missing out on a gaspy 1.4-litre and the hot 128kW version starting with a pleasant 1.6-litre normally aspirated petrol.Few should complain about this little motor that works a tight balance for economy and performance. Less can be said of the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. This economy-minded engine comes only as a manual transmission version and needs serious rowing. Then there's the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol with 110kW that combines frugal thirst and decent performance.When pushed on the Sardinian test route, it was quite thirsty even in manual form.Australia will get this engine only with an automatic gearbox and only in the top-line XSE trim, priced at $35,190. There's little to complain about in ride comfort and general handling, though the wagon becomes quite nose-heavy through fast, tight corners and will activate the standard ESC.The standard glass roof with an electrically-operated fully-lined cover gives the unusual feeling of travelling in an aquarium. The triple-layer UV-protected glass may just be a bit too sun-friendly for some parts of Australia.But full marks to Peugeot for the quick and easy ability to remove the centre-row seats, though they are heavy and will be awkward for mum to remove.Still, it's an impressive machine and will certainly sway potential SUV buyers who don't really need an all-wheel-drive and big fuel bills. 

The new Peugeot 308 has become even prettier, more feminine, than before — if that is possible.Just as well, because the majority of buyers of the previous model 307 were women.My wife and two daughters love the new curvaceous body, the almond-eyed headlights, perfume-dispensing airconditioning with a selection of six fragrances, petite pedals, quiet and soft-touch cabin, 12 exterior colour choices and small latte holders, rather than macho jumbo-sized drink holders.And my girls love the pretty little wing mirrors which fold away when the car is locked. It's not a gimmick; it's vital in the small streets of Paris where the wing mirrors on parked cars often get knocked off as cars rush past.The eighth-generation 308 five-door hatch comes in a choice of two 1.6-litre petrol engines, one a turbo, and two turbo-diesel engines, 1.6 and 2-litre. The two-litre petrol engine has been scrapped for the turbo 1.6.Previously there were three trim levels in the petrol and two in the diesel. Now there are three trim levels in each: XS, XSE and XTE.Prices are up $500 for the XS petrol at $25,990 and $1400 for the XSE, even though it drops from two-litre to 1.6.Diesel XS models remain the same at $29,990, while the XSE HDi is up $1000.Choice of transmissions is five-speed manual (XS, XS HDi, XSE Turbo), four-speed auto (XS, XSE, XSE Turbo, XTE), six-speed manual (XSE HDi) and six-speed auto (XSE HDi, XTE HDi).The Porsche-derived four-speed auto costs an extra $2000 and $2200 for the six-speed.I recently drove the XSE Turbo with five-speed manual ($30,590) and the XSE HDi ($35,790).The top-spec models come with a healthy list of features.However, the Turbo I drove also had the full-length glass sunroof ($1000) and dashboard-mounted, pop-up sat nav system ($3600) that includes a 30Gb hard disk to store 180 hours of music, Bluetooth and an SOS button that will dial 000.Another neat audio feature is iPod or computer game connectivity via RCA plugs in the glovebox.However, there are no steering wheel-mounted controls for cruise or audio. They are all on stalks behind the wheel which is very awkward.Accommodation inside is generous, but legroom in the back will be at a premium if there is a tall person in the front.As in most French cars, the seats are sumptuous, like big lounge chairs. But you wouldn't expect your lounge suite to hold you in place if you were going around a corner at 60km/h, and neither do these.I found the speedo difficult to read in daylight as the numbers are a bit spindly, especially when wearing prescription sunglasses to see into the distance.On the road, the car is exciting to drive, although eerily quiet. The diesel is as quiet as the hush-hush BMW 530d.Engineers paid a lot of attention to reducing rattles, squeaks, engine noise, wind buffeting and tyre noise.Even the door speakers are mounted to the door, rather than the trim, to avoid vibration.This is now one of the quietest cars in its class. Even the diesel engines have little audible clatter or roar from within the cabin.Unfortunately, it takes some of the excitement out of the turbo which could do with a little bit of exhaust rort.Both the turbo petrol and diesel engines have strong low and mid-range torque which makes daily driving chores responsive.The diesel loses breath up top where the 1.6-litre turbo from the Mini Cooper S and the Peugeot 207 continues to shine. Steering is a bit on the heavy side and there is a twitch from torque steer in both models.The brakes are strong with a firm and responsive brake pedal and women will approve of the light clutch and foolproof manual box with well-spaced gears. On the national launch in February, the second-to-third change was notchy, but not on this test car.The automatic was overly responsive to aggressive input, holding on to gears much longer than needed after you have given it a heavy foot.The turbo returned fuel economy of 9.2L/10km while the diesel claimed 6.6.On the safety side, there are six airbags, a five-star European crash rating and stability control.A Touring (wagon version) is coming in August and a CC (cabrio-convertible) in February.