Used Peugeot 308 2013-2021 review

After some disappointing predecessors, it was welcome surprise when this generation of Peugeot 308 scooped up European Car of the Year Award the year it was released. It also went on to sell well until its successor – the 2021-onwards Peugeot 308 – took over.

Maybe this family car's initial victory wasn’t anything to be surprised about, though: the 308 has a tidy and pleasing design, and it has a wide range of petrol and Euro 6-compliant diesel engines.

Engines & Performance: Those petrols range from an 81bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit to 108bhp and 128bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinders to a 203bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre.

Diesels include 1.6-litre units of 99bhp and 118bhp, while the line-up is completed by a pair of 2.0-litre HDi engines with 148bhp and 178bhp respectively. The 118bhp 1.6 was replaced in 2018 by a 128bhp 1.5-litre unit.

On the road, we like the later 1.5 diesel. The 1.5 is flexible, so you rarely have to rev it hard, and it makes the 308 feel reasonably brisk. It's also more efficient and economical than the previous unit, despite having more grunt. You have to work the entry-level 99bhp 1.6 diesel pretty hard at times, but it doesn’t feel significantly slower than the higher-powered version when you do. The 2.0-litre diesels are the quickest but, given the 1.5 isn’t far behind them.

The 109bhp 1.2 petrol unit is decently punchy at low revs. The 129bhp version of the 1.2 feels more urgent and is usefully brisk. The 1.6 petrols bring plenty of performance, but are rather thirsty.

The GTi hot hatch not only gets more power, but also 19in alloy wheels, a Torsen limited-slip differential on its front axle, red brake calipers, bigger front brake discs and bucket seats to keep you in place under hard cornering.

Ride & Handling: The 308 is good to drive and comfortable, although some won’t be enamoured by Peugeot's i-cockpit design, with its unusually small steering wheel and high-set instruments.

Interior & Practicality: Space up front is fine, but one of the 308’s worst features is its rear space. It’s poor next to almost all of its rivals, including the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, but especially huge rivals such as the Skoda Octavia.

Essentially, adults will have a hard time staying comfortable on a long journey. Head room isn’t too bad, but there’s precious leg room, so their knees will be forced against the front seatbacks. It’s a smart interior, though, and there’s a large boot, too.

Trims & Practicality: There’s a pleasing choice of trim levels, too. Even the entry-level model getting LED daytime running lights, air conditioning, cruise control, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity as standard, while range-topping GT trim is positively plush.

Interested in buying a used Peugeot 308? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

High-mileage 2014 examples start at about £4000, while £5000 is the starting point for cars with an average number of miles for the year, bought from an independent dealer.

Up the cash to between £6000 and £8000 and you’ll get a 2016 model, or an early 2017 car with higher mileage, privately or from a trader. A budget of £9000 to £12,000 will net you a 2017 facelift or 2018 model with an average mileage from an independent or franchised dealer.

Spend £12,000 and up on 2018 and 2019 cars, and around £13,000 to £16,000 on late 2020 and some 2021 cars.

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MPG: Unsurprisingly, the diesel-engined 308s are the most economical. Choose the 1.6 BlueHDi 120 engine in Active trim and the claimed average fuel consumption is a staggering 91.1mpg, according to the older NEDC tests. Opt for Allure trim and it’s 88.3mpg NEDC, while the other diesel variants all record figures in the 70mpgs. Choose a later 1.5 HDi 100 version and the later, more realistic WLTP figure is a good 76.3mpg.

On the petrol side, the 1.2 Puretech 110 in Active trim returns an excellent claimed average of 70.6mpg under the NEDC tests, and 57.6mpg under the later, more realistic WLTP tests, with other petrol engines recording figures in the 60mpgs, bar the sporting 1.6-litre GT and GTi variants.

Road tax: The 308s registered before the tax changes of April 2017 came into force will pay an annual rate based on their CO2 emissions. Cars registered after that date will pay a flat rate currently £180 per year.

Insurance and servicing: Peugeot operates a bespoke servicing plan for used cars that can be tailor-made around you and your car. Insurance groups range from 14 for the lowest petrols up to 36 for the GTi hot hatch, with most hovering around the 17 to 23 range.

The entry-level 1.2 petrol engines aren't especially powerful and need working fairly hard but they are smooth and refined and, driven carefully, they can be reasonably economical.

Anyone looking for a sporty drive can consider the two 1.6 petrols, both of which offer sparkling performance for some compromise in fuel economy. The 250 version in the GTi is a real humdinger.

Active trim is the cheapest way into a 308. This provides 16in alloy wheels, climate control, rear parking sensors, a leather steering wheel, automatic lights and wipers, a 9.7in infotainment touchscreen, sat-nav, smartphone mirroring and driver adjustable lumbar support, so it’s our pick.

Our favourite Peugeot 308: 1.2 110 Active

Rivals to this generation of 308 abound in this hotly contested class.

The previous-generation Skoda Octavia comes with a range of refined and economical engines, as well as promising low running costs, excellent practicality and a classy interior. Countered against that, its low-speed ride can be firm and it’s quite pricey to insure.

The Ford Focus is great to drive, with smooth and quiet engines and low running costs. However, its rivals are cheaper to buy used and some offer more space and kit or feel better-built.

The Mk7 Volkswagen Golf is the benchmark car in this class, and the comparable used models to the 308 are brilliant to drive, well equipped, refined and comparatively cheap to run. The Golf's only real fault is its dreary interior, although this is at least solidly constructed and, like the rest of the car, feels like it’ll last a long time, which makes the car a very tempting used purchase.

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Interested in buying a used Peugeot 308? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.