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What is it?

This is the 173bhp, turbocharged 1.6-litre 308 GT and it’s the first change we’ve had to drive it in the UK in three-door guise.

Peugeot’s idea was to create a happy medium between comfort, family hatch practicality and hot-hatch performance, but finding out whether it can handle British roads will be a key factor in its appeal.

What’s it like?

In many ways it does exactly what Peugeot wants it to do. The high-revving engine, which also produces...Read the full article

I'm a Peugeot fan, but buying one is getting harder and harder to justify despite my historical bias. The highpoint for me was a 406 SRi (turbo petrol) which combined great refinement with a compliant suspension and real agility on a typical "B" road. That broad spread of abilities seems to have gone from the range now - with models like the 407 being needlessly firm and uncomunicative, and the 308 combining a soft suspension with a fundamental lack of suspension ability. At least the powertrains are getting better, with the BMW partnership. Hence despite the 308's advances (in particular on the interior), it looks poor value vs.cars with broader ability such as SEAT's Leon (not to mention Skoda and the Kia/Hyundai models..).

I'm with you on that. The heyday of good-looking, verging on beautiful Peugeots seems to be gone and yes the quality is better but where is the fun? The 306 was the best looking hatchback of the nineties in my opinion and by the time it died looked absolutely stunning. Mine drives fantastically too and is a perfect size for a family hatch. Time to look back to move forward I feel.

Agree wholeheartedly Agitprop. 306 still looks terrific in traffic - elegant, sporty, tight.

Buy one of these before a Focus ST? Vicky, anyone would think you'd lost your marbles...

What has happened to Peugeot's expertise in suspensions? It was not that long ago that they designed their own shock absorbers and whilst not always setting up the car for fine handling the company could be replied upon to produce excellent ride. The suspensions were also nearly unbreakable.

Now the ride is only average and the number of suspension related failures reported on fault reporting websites is climbing. I can only assume the suspension department has been cut back and the money has been spent in other areas. But if Peugeot loses its fashionable image what will they have left to sell their cars?