Peugeot 308: a practical, economical family car with a comfortable and relaxed ride

Price: £14,495 - £24,045

Pros: Efficient diesel engines, large boot, comfortable ride

Cons: Not the most fun drive, questionable reliability, interior isn’t great quality

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3.8/5 Car buyer: ‘‘The latest version of the Peugeot 308 has better performance, economy and handling than ever before thanks to the loss of 140kg compared to the previous model. Boot space has been another key improvement, jumping from 347 litres to 470, which puts the Peugeot ahead of class-leading rivals like the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus in terms of load capacity. A new softer suspension setup means the car is exceptionally comfortable to drive and a decent choice of engines, particularly on the diesel side, makes certain models particularly cheap to run. Our pick is the 1.6 litre diesel HDi 120 Active model, which combines performance with impressive economy and good equipment levels.

4.0/5.0 Auto Express: ‘‘Launched at the end of 2013 for the 2014 model year, the all new 308 is a far more impressive package than its predecessor. Available in four different trim levels and offering a range of very efficient engines, the new 308 is a signal of intent from the French firm as Peugeot aims to take the fight to class leading rivals like the VW Golf and Ford Focus.’’

3/5 What Car?: ‘‘Although the Peugeot 308 falls some way short of the sky-high standards set by class-leading rivals, the diesel models are cheap to run, and despite a bit of patter from the rear end, it also rides pretty well. Much of the cabin is smartly trimmed and there’s encouraging news in terms of reliability as the car had a respectable mid-table finish in our latest survey.’’

4/5 Evo: ‘‘Like better model Peugeots of the past, there's a mix here of suppleness over bumps and crispness in bends that's very beguiling and which we didn't quite expect. The ride is also very good indeed, as is road noise isolation. The new mk2 308 is part of Peugeot’s determined pitch to move upmarket, with a nicely finished cabin, sumptuous seats, and a striking, aluminium-edged central display panel.’’

4/5 Car Magazine: ‘‘Benchmarked against the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, and VW Golf, the new Peugeot 308 is the most powerful and entertaining version of the French hatchback to date.’’