Peugeot 308 review

UK prices start at £24k for the 1.2-litre petrol, or £33,000 for the hybrid, with monthly payments starting at around £340 and £435 respectively, on a four-year agreement with a six-month initial payment.

Rivals? An entry-level Ford Focus will set you back around the same figure, an Audi A3 from £24.5k and a VW Golf from around £25k. A BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class come in slightly pricier at around £26.5k. 

The hybrid is perhaps most attractive to fleet and business users thanks to an eight per cent Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rate. Fitted with the optional 7.4kW on-board charger, it takes 1hr 55mins to fully replenish the 12.4kW battery using a wallbox; otherwise it’s 3hr 50mins.

WHAT ARE MY TRIM OPTIONS?

Standard equipment in Active Premium trim includes the 10-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, 16-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, black door mirror facings, and LED head- and tail-lights.

Then you’re on a journey through Allure (17-inch alloy wheels, 3D Navigation, 180-degree reversing camera) Allure Premium (wireless smartphone charging, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control), GT (18-inch alloys, heated steering wheel, Matrix LED headlights, ‘claw effect’ rear lights) and GT Premium (Focal hi-fi system, heated & massaging front seats, 360-degree camera).

WHAT’S THE BEST SPEC?

The 1.2-litre petrol is plenty appealing, but if your budget can stretch that far (or you’re buying as a company car and can take advantage of the low BiK rate), we really liked the Hybrid 180, with its electric range of up to 37 miles likely more than sufficient for most drivers to get about on zero emissions.

As the entry-point to the range we wouldn’t look below Allure trim for the ‘i-Toggle’ shortcut buttons, but otherwise GT spec, with its 3D dials as standard, offers plenty of appeal. In total you’re looking at £36.5k, or £450 on lease.