The new Peugeot 308 might be the best-looking hatchback on sale

If you like the Volkswagen Golf but you want a car with a bit less Das Auto and a bit more je ne sais quoi, then the Peugeot 308 is a great option – and it’s just been given a mid-life facelift to make sure it’s keeping up with the Joneses.

The updated 308 gets a fresh look up front, a practical interior and an updated range of engine options – including self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and a fully-electric E-308 model. It’s also still available as either a hatchback or the huge-booted 308 SW estate.

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Peugeot 308 facelift: styling

The front end of the new 308 is where the most obvious changes have been made. There’s a new grille, featuring the same body-coloured elements and fading-out effect at the ends as the larger 3008 and 5008 SUVs. It’s flanked by dramatic air intakes at either side which actually conceal the main part of the headlights.

The headlights have been reimagined too, with three slim LED daytime running lights providing Peugeot’s trademark ‘Lion Claw’ motif. These are continued into a set of stripes running the full width of the grille – a different take on the lightbars that so many alternatives, including the Golf, now offer. Like the Golf too, Peugeot will offer an illuminated badge on the posh GT and GT Premium trim levels.

The 308 SW estate receives the same front-end treatment, and both get new diamond-cut alloy wheels. Plus, there are new shades of blue available for both models. Other styling changes are minimal, though it’s worth noting that Peugeot has completely removed all the exterior chrome – something more manufacturers are doing for a more timeless look and due to the environmental impact of chrome-plating.

Peugeot 308 facelift: interior changes

The interior hasn’t been tweaked too much, so it still features a wide 10.0-inch touchscreen above five configurable ‘i-Toggles’ to help make up for the lack of physical switchgear. There are new graphics for the instrument cluster, which is 3D-effect on GT and GT Premium models, while the material palette features aluminium and Alcantara for trim pieces.

There’s also customisable ambient lighting, and a new Air Quality System optional on GT trim and standard on GT Premium that monitors the cabin air. A posh Focal sound system remains optional, and there are four USB-C ports for connecting devices.

New Peugeot 308 engines

There will be four engine options available in the UK. The base model comes with a 145hp self-charging hybrid, based around Peugeot’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine. This provides up to 50mpg in official fuel consumption tests, and our experience with it in other models suggests this should be quite achievable.

Above this sits the 195hp plug-in hybrid, which has an all-electric range of up to 53 miles. That’s not quite as impressive as the 75+ miles available from a VW Golf and does put the 308 one band above it for company car tax, but should still provide a useful saving.

The real tax-saver will be the E-308. It uses a modest 156hp electric motor and a relatively small 58.4kWh battery but promises strong efficiency, giving a range of up to 281 miles (officially). That’s a 23-mile boost on the previous model. All versions get a heat pump for more efficient cabin heating in winter, plus heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Charge speeds are still a modest 100kW, though, bringing a 20-80% charge in 32 minutes – slower than a lot of alternatives.

Finally, and interestingly, Peugeot will continue to offer the 308 range with a diesel engine – paired to an automatic gearbox. Though it won’t be a good company car due to high tax, it should be extremely fuel-efficient.

Peugeot 308 facelift: when can I buy one?

Prices and full specs haven’t been announced yet but expect them to follow shortly. As is usual with facelifts, a modest increase over the 308’s current £33,325 starting price is to be expected.

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