New Peugeot 308: price, range, rivals … we tell you everything!

In this year 2021, Peugeot is evolving! It started in February with the introduction of a brand new logo featuring the lion’s head, then in March with the presentation of the third generation of the 308. With its modernized design, its interior more technological than ever, and its plug-in hybrid offer, the French compact has serious ambitions: to shake the queen of the category, the Volkswagen Golf, while standing up to premium models. Find here all the information about this new 308.

TO READ :

• Peugeot logo. Behind the scenes of the creation of the new lion!
• Peugeot. The history of the logo from 1858 to 2021

The style of the 308 deciphered by its designer

The Peugeot 308, third in the name, is above all a style that asserts itself. The car becomes the first model to sport the brand new logo. As Pierre-Paul Mattei, responsible for the car’s styling, explained to us, it was fundamental “ that it is well staged “. For this, the grille is greatly enlarged compared to the old generation. This contrasts with the refined optics, especially for the more upscale versions of the range. If the first-generation BMW 1 Series silhouette was expected, the use of a bodywork hood was a surprise. A detail that allows him to sit, without blushing, alongside his big sister, the 508. At the rear, the band between the lights is refined to balance with the imposing diffuser. As for the dimensions, compared to its predecessor, this 308 gains 11 cm in length (4.36 m), displays an equivalent width (1.80 m), and is lowered by 2 cm (1.43 m).

TO READ :

• Peugeot 308 (2021). Discover the 3rd generation in detail
• Peugeot 308 III. When the new meets the old …
• New Peugeot 308. A compact in tune with the times

The 308 takes it up a notch

On board, the “wow” effect is less strong: no doubt used to this i-Cockpit layout so dear to Peugeot since the previous generation of the 208… The advantage is that passengers are starting to make their mark. . From the start, the counters are now digital (from Active Pack) and can adopt the 3D effect of the little sister (on GT and GT Pack). Note that the current generation of 308 returns to analog meters, due to the shortage of semiconductors. But back to the new version: the small steering wheel takes the design of that of the 508, and the infotainment system is based on a 10-inch slab. It is underlined by sensitive shortcuts, Peugeot abandons its piano keys. Advantage: they are customizable. In addition, the designers have revised the ergonomics and especially the storage areas which are much more numerous and vast than before. What about perceived quality: Peugeot has taken care of the presentation, reduced the number of different materials to reduce the number of adjustments, dressed the doors with a double seal which, combined with the laminated glazing, perfectly insulates the passenger compartment.

TO READ :

• Peugeot 308. On board the new French compact in video
• Peugeot 308 3. Detailed presentation of the new i-Cockpit

Technologies: the 308 gets up to date

In terms of new technologies, the compact is based on some of the equipment offered by the 508 with, jumble: hands-free access and starting, 360 ° camera, recognition of traffic signs, active line crossing alert, braking emergency automatic, automatic high beam switching, adaptive cruise control. It also has blind spot monitoring up to 75 m, Matrix LED spotlights and from the end of the year, the Drive Assist Plus pack including semi-automatic overtaking and keeping in the lane when cornering.

A simple engine range for the 308 III

Under its hood, the 308 will be simple: two petrol from the 3-cylinder PureTech (110 and 130 hp), a diesel based on the 1.5 BlueHDi (130 hp), and two plug-in hybrids based on the 4-cylinder 1.6 PureTech ( 180 and 225 hp). Subsequently, Peugeot, by the voice of her new boss, Linda Jackson, confirmed the arrival of a purely electric version for 2023. As for that of a descendant of the GTI adopting the PSE label, this will unfortunately remain a pure fantasy.

TO READ :

• Peugeot e-308. Electric version confirmed for 2023
• New Peugeot 308. Unsurprisingly, there will be no sports car PSE

The range of the new Peugeot 308

Peugeot will decline its new 308 according to 3 finishes (Active, Allure, GT), each one embellished with a Pack. Note that in France, the entry level will be occupied by the Active Pack. The differences between these finishes can be seen in the look of the car: the GT has fine optics, while the other finishes receive headlights, certainly LED, but thicker. The lights also offer a different light signature. And above all, the logo on the front fenders is only the prerogative of the top-of-the-range version. In the range of colors offered, the Vert Olivine presented at the launch of the car will be offered free of charge.

TO READ.

• Peugeot 308 Active and Allure (2021). What are the differences with the GT?
• New Peugeot 308. Launch dates and delivery times
• Peugeot 308 (2021). Online configurator and range in detail

What is the 308 worth against its rivals?

The designated rival of the Peugeot 308, it is clearly the Volkswagen Golf. The two compacts playing the generalist card that titillates the premiums. During the first meeting, the lioness showed herself perfectly up to the objectives set by Peugeot. She even allowed herself to go and tease, without blushing in the least, the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes Class A, the two best-established models on the top-of-the-range compact market.

If the German models keep a certain advantage in terms of image, in particular thanks to supercharged versions, the 308 is more rational in its engine offer, but it gives off an impression of seriousness in its presentation. It now remains to be seen if it delivers on all of its promises on the road: the tests will take place next September.

TO READ :

• Peugeot 308 vs Volkswagen Golf 8. First static duel
• Peugeot 308 vs BMW 1 Series. Lioness aims for Premium
• Peugeot 308 vs Mercedes Class A. Franco-German duel
• DS4 II vs Peugeot 308 III (2021). Fratricidal duel among ex-PSA
• The new Peugeot 308 (2021) against its competitors

The 308 and its variations

The sedan Peugeot will not be the only proposal in the catalog of the 308. It will be accompanied by a station wagon (internal code P52) whose presence has, for a time, been called into question. This partly explains why it will be based, this time around, on the same wheelbase as the compact. It will nevertheless have certain aesthetic specificities. This 308 SW station wagon, unveiled in June, will arrive on the market in early 2022. In 2022, a third vehicle will appear in the range. Known internally under code P54, it will be an unprecedented silhouette, halfway between an SUV, a coupe and an enhanced sedan. It will be based on an extended wheelbase and will measure nearly 4.70 m. If it will adopt evolutions of the engines of the sedan, it could also make an ideal basis for a PSE version …

TO READ :

• Peugeot 308 SW (2022). On board the new station wagon version
• Peugeot 308 test. At the wheel of a station wagon prototype
• Peugeot 308 SW vs Volkswagen Golf 8 SW: first duel
• Peugeot 308 (2022). First info and photo of the Crossover (P54)

The prices of the new Peugeot 308

The 308 III entered production, not in Sochaux (Doubs), but in the Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin) plant, from May. Since June 11, the manufacturer has unveiled the prices and opened the order book. Count 1000 € more for the 308 SW station wagon version. The launch of the sedan is set for early October while the station wagon will arrive in January 2022.

Peugeot 308 SW (2022). Prices and range of the new station wagon