2008 Peugeot 308 Review
May 19, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
2008 Peugeot 308 XTE HDi & XSE Turbo Review & Road Test
“It’s not often that you find a car which is all things to all people, the Peugeot 308 is one of those cars”
- By Alborz Fallah & Anthony Crawford
Models Driven:
- 2008 Peugeot 308 XSE 1.6-litre turbo petrol with 5-speed manual
- 2008 Peugeot 308 XTE 2.0-litre diesel HDi with 6-speed ‘Tiptronic’ gearbox
Recommended Retail Price: $30,590 for mid-range petrol and $37,990 for the range topping diesel. You can get into a 308 XS from $25,990.
Options fitted to XTE diesel:
- 18” Lincancubar alloys: $600 – fitted with superb Pirelli PZERO NERO tyres: one of the ten best options of the year!
- Knee airbag: $250 on top of six standard airbags across the 308 range – It’s a pity Peugeot didn’t include this on this top spec car
- Leather trim: $2,900 – whilst leather is nice (and these are heated), I would not be spending another $3000 for the privilege, as you still have that problem of leather being too hot in summer and too cold in winter. You also might expect leather to be standard kit on a top spec variant.
Great looks, fuel economy for diesel, great handling, interior refinement.
5-speed manual in petrol, why buy the petrol over the diesel?
CarAdvice rating: 
(3.00) -XSE Petrol Turbo
CarAdvice rating: 
(4.50) -XTE HDi Diesel
Peugeot 308 XSE 1.6-litre turbo petrol with 5-speed manual – Alborz
You might have noticed all the Peugeot advertising everywhere. From TV to billboards to shopping centres to the web, the French company has a lot to offer with the 308 and it’s bending over backwards to let you know, and rightly so because it’s a brilliant car.
Firstly, it’s a Peugeot, which means it appeals to a unique bunch of people, those who want to be a little different. From the front, you might be hard pressed telling it apart from its smaller brother, the 207, but why change something that works?
It looks a little odd at first, especially with that black bumper taking centre stage, but take it for a drive through a nice part of town and you’ll notice a lot of heads turning, for good reasons.
It’s a beautiful front design, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, yes it’s different, but different is exactly what it’s suppose to be. The rear though, well, that seems more of an afterthought.
Somehow I feel the entire design budget was spent on the front and the rear was designed the night before by a German. A little bland. It’s not helped by pretend exhaust vents on the higher-spec model either.
Secondly, it’s by no means a small car, initially I was under the impression that the 207 SW that I recently road tested was pretty much the same size as the 308, it sure looks like it from the outside, but it’s not. The main difference is rear leg room. You can comfortably fit 2 large adults in the back with plenty of room left over.
so how long is this thing anyway. persoally i absolutely love it and have seen heaps in the city and its a real head turner but the price really isnt that much when you think about what your gettin its not cheap but tis not german either.
Is that babylon red in the pics?
Great story guys,although I’m surprised on the performance side of things.
Golfy and I sat in one of these at the Perth motor show for a while checking out the quality,and I must say was better than Germans in my opinion,loved its layout very funky as Golfy said.
Tyres on it a little exy, had them on the M3,were crap on that I must say,but depends on the performance of the car their on I guess.
Great pictures and I must also comment that I think it looks stunning from the exterior as well.
I was impressed all in all!
My compliments on yet another fine review and photography gentlemen.
I’d like to elaborate further on the gearboxes;
the 4 speed auto in the petrol should be avoided at all costs (if it’s the one the I think it is… i.e. the infamous PSA AL4 box). It’s reliability, or lack thereof is well documented, a quick google search will yield plenty of info.
The 6 speed Aisin-Warner box that was in the 2.0HDi is definitely the one to go for if you must have an Auto.
Overall, I must say that I think the 308 HDi tested here represents pretty good value next to the German offerings, and with tonnes of Euro-Sheek both inside and out, certainly not as bland as the Germans!
Yes FX, Babylon Red is the colour of our test car but trust the French to have a lipstick like collection of great colours. Perla Nera Black is superb, as is Taranga Blue and Montebello Blue. To be honest, even the solid (non metallic) colours look good.
ahhhhhhh,love the new touch on the comments.”Report Comment”
Thankyou!
C’mon guys, no drifting action in the Peugeots like the French Taxi movies?
Nice cars… love the massive sunroof… wouldn’t mind one the way fuel prices are going…
Technically its not a traditional sunroof as it doesn’t actually open, its just a panoramic roof, great for natural sunlight and ambience.
French electronics, french build quality, run while you still can!
Good report! Golf must now be on its best behaviour. I’d do a top-wozza 2 litre diesel with auto, cream leather, panoramic roof in…um…Lacerta Yellow (Yes, I’ve been to Peugeot’s site :) )…or black…or blue…or red…hmmm
Oh, and congrats on the new (Report) add-on, guys. This’ll tidy up your site and make it less freaky for new visitors like Jimbo.
I would like to see a comparison between this and the Fiat Ritmo (Bravo). Both look stunning. I’m thinking of one or the other. The Fiat diesel seems to sit between the two Peugeot’s in size and thirst.
Mitchell,
You are so far out of the ball park with that comment with respect to the 308 and 207 for that matter. The French have lifted their game such along way from models like the BX19 GT which although build quality back then wasn’t outstanding, it was one of the most enjoyable driver’s cars my old man ever owed, and he’s owned a few!
I’ve said previously, that Golf now has a serious competitor in the 308.
Love that interior, what an upgrade from the 307. Having said that, I bought the Mondeo (same diesel engine btw due to Ford PSA joint venture) coz its a much bigger car for abt the same price. Made in belgium too.
Andy, I can’t argue with you on the Mondeo. We drove one in France in February and was impressed with the car. But it won’t get through the twisty bits like a 308. No sir. But if space is what you need, then although the Peugeot has a high roof line and is well designed when it comes to space, the Mondeo is the clear winner in that department.
oh yeah thats abt right. I bumped my head one too many times in the Mondeo while entering it. And that panoramic glass top was so tempting. But I keep thinking ‘all it takes is an idiot with a 50 cent coin”.
Granted the same would happen to a metal roof anyways, but at least you can paint and oven it instead of having the whole thing removed.
Mitchell, unless you can write something worthwhile for other readers, there’s no point in coming back to this site mate.
Check out the JD Power reliability surveys and then come back and say something intelligent or you will be banned.
http://www.whatcar.com/news-sp.....EL=3196976
There you go Anthony, thats 2007 for you, trust me 2006, 2005
2004, 2003 and the french do much even worse. Nice to drive, look okay, but quirky, often in a non functional sort of way and out of warranty..you are all on your own my friend.
Peugeot, renault, citroen, they are all the same, every new model they tell us how they have improved on these aspects of their cars, unfortunately time proves otherwise.
May I suggest you do your own research next time, after all this is what you do isnt it. Or do you base your opinion on how the thing looks and rides for a COUPLE OF DAYS ONLY! Buy one and live with it for 3 – 5 years MATE.
http://www.whatcar.com/news-sp.....EL=3196976
there is 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 makes even worse reading sport.
Here is 2007, it gets worse go look at 2006,2005,2004,2003,2002 how you like those apples anthony?
http://www.whatcar.com/news-sp.....EL=3196976
Sorry guys but this is a pet hate of mine and for a motoring publication it should probably not happen. On page 4 you have “..and will blip the throttle on downshifts into corners, when breaking.” I think the correct word is braking…
Hey thanks for that typo correction. Put it down to a 2am posting for the completion and posting of that review.
Apologies, we hate errors as much as you do.
“heal and toe” Funny.
Hot look…..but getting to be a tired look as all Peugeots look same as this. Too much of same look in car industry can be bad I feel!
That’s alright, apologies if my comment was harsh, it wasn’t meant to come across that way. Otherwise good work guys, especially like the new MG article.
Great read guys, I’m almost ready to buy one without even so much as sitting in it – well done!
Nice car with a truly inacurrate comment by Mitchell. Consider yourself castigated mate. ;)
The overboost facility was pioneered in modern diesel by Ford in the 2001 Mondeo 2.0 TDI. I had one a what a laugh you can have with it. The PSA motors copied the facility when sharing motors.
Also my usual rant “AND THE DIESEL DOES IT AGAIN”
Agree NO NAME…..so much for some syaing diesel is not way to go. In short term it is as more economy and heaps of torque. I truly think the diesel argument in short term is not “floored”
Ha Ha Naught Max – careful the report button might get clicked by you know who.
All you bods need now is cleaner diesel with less sulphur which those lovely clean green diesel Euro engines need.
Diesel “Saving the planet from CO2″
Car Advice. What reason did you have to delete my post?
I said nothing to offend any one??????????????????????
Sorry It seems to have returned
Hey Car Advice. I read in many web sites that the 18 inch wheels make the ride a bit harsh. Did you find that on the XTE? In the real world I think the 17 inch should do the job pretty well.
Another observation regarding the XTE, you can pretty much option up an XSE with almost everything the XTE has, and save a reasonable amount of cash. The dealer where I drove the XSE said that he didnt know why they made the XTE spec, and that it could be dropped from the range. Apart from that I really liked the car. The diesel is currently my new car of choice.
Nice car, they drive well and look good, but you just know something is going to wrong with them, I’m sure everone here can find out how they rate, and it aint pretty, 206,207,306,307 have all been pretty ordinary. They do make a good diesel though, totally pointless for AU though. You guys all holding hands by the looks of it?
Silky, it sounds as though you haven’t driven a modern Euro diesel. When I fill the Golf up after 870 to 920 kilometres of town driving whilst still managing to enjoy its turbo puff, it seems anything but totally pointless.
nteresting rationale you have for diesels in Australia Silky. I live in a very hilly area in Sydney and the torquey diesel is the ONLY way to go. The petrol equivalent would need to rev to near redline to climb some of the hills I travel up regularly.
Heya Golf, think diesel is fine mate, good fuel economy plenty of torque (new hip word apparently) as well. But you pay more at the bowser, our diesel isnt the cleanest and you pay a premium at purchase as well, also, its dirty. Won’t argue about diesel and europe but thats a whole different story. Sorry golf, you gonna have to hold your diesel for 3 – 4 years to break even, now if you dont mind, then that doesnt matter, but are you going to hold your car for 3 – years?
Hello Anthony, not really an interesting rationale, just facts, our diesel isnt the cleanest, diesel is dirty, diesel costs more at the bowser, diesels cost more at purchase, diesel problems are also generally pretty expensive to fix. I drive a jetta turbo(petrol), have found it to be fearless with regard to hills.
18’s are just not harsh on the 308 as they would be on some makes. yes, 17’s would probably be the choice for mall rats but I like to drive – so 18’s with PZERO NERO’s for $600 would be the way I would travel.
I will be Silky but, as I’ve said to others on here, it was never a question for me of breaking even. Nobody buys these guys using a calculator. I wanted the economy. I wanted the car. I loved its driving characteristics. This is its purchase price. Where do I sign, Mr Salesman?
If there wasn’t people like us, we’d ALL be in Corollas.
So you like it then :) I know,I paid a premium for the DSG, guess IO know what I like as well :)
Silky, your premise that diesels are dirty is not the case any more. The particulate filters remove more than 99% of the toxins, and the newer diesels are actually less polluting than the petrol engines.
Some German importers like BMW & Audi have been criminally slow in using particulate filters in their Australian spec diesels, but the French cars have been doing it for a long time now.
premise? When’s the last time you looked at the ground near a diesel bowser mate. Its dirty.
Listen I’m just saying, that in this corner of the world the case for diesel is not the same as in europe, if our circumstances were the same as europe’s, I would most likely buy one. But, its more expensive here, its not as clean here, the car costs more with a diesel engine (dont forget the finance costs either over your term), diesels cost more to repair and diesel is dirty.
Before I get jumped on, diesel engines can go and go for years, but most likely you are going to hold the car 2 – 4 years only, right. In your own WORDS FOGGY, some sellers have been slow in introducing the filters in OZ, so they are still not particular eco friendly in OZ at the moment.
Its not that I dislike diesel, I just dont see a commercial case for it in Australia at the moment, BUT, each to their own, I mean, GOD, people do buy corolla’s :)and French cars :)
Foggy, diesel is dirty, thats why they are called oilers..
I’ve found there is little point trying to convert people to diesel.. You just have to wait for it to happen. I just smile to myself and feel a touch smug.
Current car Mazda3 Turbo diesel (360NM)
before that, Golf V TDI DSG,
before that, BMW 120d.
Next car… this one.
I spoke to Corban’s in Wollongong about one just yesterday, and a car in the spec above is a 3+ month wait.. I was also told there is no dealer swaps happning on them. Not sure I believe that, but that’s what I was told..
Josh.
I’m sorry Silky, but I’m not sure I understand your reasoning.
Even though Diesels and their fuel cost more, they are more efficient by up to 30%. They have much lower CO2 emissions. They have a greater range, more torque (drive better as a result).
Also they may be more expensive to maintain, but I was under the impression that they required less maintenance than a petrol engine. Eg. A diesel Fiat Punto only need servicing every 12 months.
They sound perfect for Australia to me.
I think the only thing that is holding them back is the Australian obsession with the big V6 and V8 motors, and peoples lack of ability to see the big picture.
Like buying a Corolla for $25K over a Diesel Golf for $28k. You may pay more at first but in the end it will be better for the environment and your pocket.
Jimbo, if something goes wrong with a diesel motor look out, ouch! Im sorry, I clearly indicated that if you were holding your car 2 – 4 years you would be lucky to break even, beyond this period what would you care, you have sold it. I also indicated that if you like diesel, go for it :)As for guy who likes to feel smug, good for you, glad to bring a little ray of sunshine to your life :)
You’re living in the past Silky.
You need to take another look at today’s diesels before commenting on them. You can’t make blanket statements like you have been on the grounds that the diesel bowsers are not as clean!
If we stick to the facts:
1. diesel is more economical
2. particulate filters remove almost all the toxins from the emmissions. French cars in Australia have been using particulate filters for at least 10 years.
3. Service intervals are 20,000 kms on this car and other French diesels, and the costs are in line with that of a petrol motor, so they are actually cheaper to service.
4. The extra torque is a welcome trait for driveability
5. Yes, diesel fuel is more expensive to buy whilst the petrol companies continue to gouge the price as they are now. Everyone here acknowledges this, but many of us feel that the benefits outweigh the negatives. Granted, this may not be the case for you personally, but your broad and unsubstantiated statements are not as relevant as you believe them to be.
Foggy I’m getting the impression that you own a french car :)
1. Diesel is not more economical in AU, you will pay for it when you buy the car, interest on finance as well member.
2 You will pay more at the pump. Thats not a current situation in AU, that has been the case for a while.
3.You are suggesting a false economy Foggy. Simply lets say, extra 2k to buy the diesel, extra 1k over 4/5 years on finance, then what, extra .2 or .3 per liter at the pump. Please explain how it is cheaper?
3. Many diesel vehicles sold in AU do not have the PF, as you YOURSELF mentioned earlier. Other than sure, its greener.
4. Have no problem with your feel good diesel argument, good work people, but that has no commercial aspect which was my original comment Foggy.
4. Yup service are less often, so there is a saving, but if something goes wrong with your diesel, there is a chance you are gonna hurt, and if its out of warranty..and french..
5. “rideing on waves of torque…” umm, its very poetic but does not counter my commercial case.
You guys wanna drive diesel cause its cleaner, you feel better and waves of torque, thats great, wont disagree, but there is no commercial aspect to that argument, its all intrinsic.
Im thinking renault or citroen for you foggy :)
Foggy, thats not the past Im living in, you wanna a diesel car in AU it will cost you more, it will cost you more at the pump, thats right here and now mate..now its your money do what you want with it, but again, there is no commercial/financial incentive to buy a diesel in oz(normal road use).