Peugeot 308 II

Peugeot 308 II at a glance

The 308 II replaced the first 308 and moved Peugeot's compact car upmarket, with cleaner styling shared with the 208 and 508 and a cabin built around the i-Cockpit: a small steering wheel with the instruments viewed above it and a central touchscreen. It was assembled at Sochaux and Mulhouse in France.

Peugeot's vans include the Peugeot Partner.

Design, platform and the 2017 facelift

The EMP2 platform, shared with the Citroën C4 Picasso, cut weight by about 140 kg compared with the first 308. Peugeot launched the car on 13 May 2013 and showed it publicly at the Frankfurt Motor Show that September. In March 2014 it won European Car of the Year, ahead of the BMW i3 and Tesla Model S.

The 2017 facelift brought a new bonnet, bumper and grille with the Peugeot lion, sequential indicators, the eight-speed EAT8 automatic and the 1.5 BlueHDi diesel with 96 kW (130 PS). A 2020 update enlarged the digital instrument display.

308 II engines and gearboxes

Gearboxes were five- and six-speed manuals, the six-speed EAT6 automatic and, from the 2017 facelift, the eight-speed EAT8.

Dimensions and boot space

The 308 II hatchback offers a 470-litre (16.6 cu ft) boot, rising to 1,228 litres (43.4 cu ft) with the rear seats folded and the parcel shelf removed, which is large for the class. The SW estate is longer and has more rear legroom, which is why Dutch used-car buyers' guides recommend it for families. The tailgate opening narrows at the bottom, which makes loading bulky items slightly harder.

308 II fuel economy and running costs

The 1.2 PureTech 110/130 and the BlueHDi diesels are the most economical choices; the diesels need AdBlue, which must be topped up roughly every 25,000 km. Real combined consumption of the turbo petrols can reach about 8 L/100 km (29.4 mpg US) in hard driving, well above official figures.

Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport

The 308 GTi was the performance flagship of the second generation, developed by Peugeot Sport rather than the regular engineering team. It used a highly tuned 1.6 THP four-cylinder in two outputs, 184 kW (250 PS) and 199 kW (270 PS), with a six-speed manual gearbox, lowered sports suspension and larger brakes. For a used buyer it is the most entertaining 308 II, but it shares the THP family's need for careful servicing, so a complete history is essential. Peugeot's earlier hot hatches are part of the history of Peugeot.

308 II trims and equipment

Typical European trims were Access (15-inch steel wheels, manual air conditioning, basic radio), Active (16-inch alloys, cruise control, climate control, touchscreen, Bluetooth), Allure (LED headlights, sports seats, navigation, electric handbrake) and GT Line (larger wheels and a sportier interior), plus the GT and GTi.

308 II safety rating

Euro NCAP awarded the 308 five stars in 2013, with 92% for adult occupants, 79% for children, 64% for pedestrians and 81% for safety assist.

308 II reliability and known faults

The 308 II is generally solid, but some engines need care:

• 1.2 PureTech: the timing belt runs in oil and can break down with old, dirty or wrong-spec oil, blocking the oil supply. Cars built from spring 2017 to summer 2018 are most affected; check for Peugeot's workshop campaign and consider preventive belt replacement.
• 1.6 THP: stretched timing chains, failing ignition coils, worn injectors and turbos, and electric water pump control faults that can lead to overheating. Later e-THP engines are better.
• Diesels: generally reliable, but check for fuel line leaks and AdBlue system faults; disabling AdBlue is not legal.
• Body and electronics: infotainment glitches in early cars and a creaking rear axle, fixed with a sprayed coating.

Rivals: how the 308 II compares

The 308 competed with the Ford Focus Mk3, Opel Astra, Volkswagen Golf, Renault Mégane and Kia Ceed. It stood out for its boot, low weight and distinctive i-Cockpit; some drivers find the small wheel hides part of the instruments.