Peugeot 308 interior, tech and practicality

Does the Peugeot 308 have the best interior design of any family hatchback? We think it might – it’s just as eye-catching as the Mercedes A-Class’ cabin, and it feels as premium as well. It’s definitely more interesting to look at than the layouts of the Kia Ceed, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.

But an interesting design and day-to-day usability don’t often go hand-in-hand, as you’ll know if you’ve driven a Peugeot in the last 10 years. Thankfully, the 308 has a thoroughly updated infotainment system which is easier to use than before – even though it still relies on touch control for the majority of functions.

We think most buyers will quickly get used to the driving position and the small, low-mounted steering wheel. There’s enough adjustment for you to be able to find a position where you can see the dials over the steering wheel, unless you’ve an unusually shaped body.

In the 308, the jutting layout of the dashboard cuts into front passenger space a little, so whoever’s riding shotgun might feel they have to slide their seat back – which, in turn, limits rear space even more.

The seats are like a firm mattress – they’re comfortable and supportive but not soft and foamy. What’s more, an acoustic windscreen and laminated side windows come as standard, so road noise is kept to a minimum.

The trim level range is much simpler than the engine range, that’s for sure. Entry-level Active might not make the most of the 308’s styling, but it does come with push-button start, rear parking sensors, automatic air conditioning, automatic LED headlights and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and intelligent speed assist – which can slow you down automatically when you get to a lower speed limit, if you wish.

Stepping up to mid-range Allure bags you 17-inch wheels, ‘signature’ LED daytime running lights, high-beam assist, a reversing camera and tinted rear windows.

Top-spec GT trim has Matrix LED headlights that can offer full-beam power without blinding other motorists, adaptive cruise control to keep you a set distance from the car in front, and a host of other features like a black headliner and ambient lighting. Visually, it’s marked out by 18-inch wheels, a grille that looks like a black hole sucking in space debris, and even Ferrari-esque front wing shield badges.

However, it seems a little odd that only the electric e-308 gets heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Peugeot was one of the first companies to put a digital instrument cluster on affordable models, and even the lowliest 308 gets a full-width 10-incher. This includes a 3D floating effect for the speedo readout on GT versions, which makes it appear as if it’s in front of the screen.

A high-definition central touchscreen, the same size as the instrument cluster, is also fitted as standard. The graphics are sharper than a Scout’s penknife, and the response is quicker than Usain Bolt on a private jet. It includes built-in ‘connected’ sat nav from Allure upwards, which lets you see real-time fuel prices and can warn you of any delays on your route. All have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you’d rather plug your phone in when you get in the car.

Active trim misses out on the smaller second screen below the touchscreen. This is touch controlled, too, but features shortcut tiles to quickly get from one menu screen to another. You can personalise it by choosing the apps and shortcuts you use regularly – browse the car’s ‘app drawer’ to see the full selection – and up to eight different people can programme their favoured settings to one of the drive profiles. Handy if you and your partner have very different music tastes.

The screen works very much like an iPhone screen, so it’s no wonder we found it pretty simple to use. However, like most modern touchscreens, some less-used functions require you to glance away from the road several times before you get to where you’re looking for.

Keen music enthusiasts will be disappointed to hear that the Focal sound system is now only available as an optional extra on the top-spec GT trim – and not a cheap option, either. The standard audio system is more than good enough for casual listeners who just want to hear the radio or a podcast.

The old Peugeot 308 was criticised for having a big boot but barely any back-seat space, and the same is true to a slightly lesser extent in this new one. Rear-seat space is marginally more generous than before, but it’s still only just enough room to carry adults. It’s okay back there if your passenger is of average height, but taller occupants might wish that you’d stretched to the bigger 3008 instead.

The 308 isn’t alone in this – the Toyota Corolla and Mercedes A-Class are both a bit tight as well, and there’s more space in the back of the 308 than in the curvy Mazda 3. But the 308’s main rivals – the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Audi A3 – all offer more room.

You’ll probably have to shuffle the front seat forward if you’re fitting a child seat in the rear seats, and the Isofix points are hidden behind a couple of zips, so they’re not quite as easily accessible as the ones in the Golf.

On the other side of the coin, the 308 is better at carrying stuff than nearly all its rivals. It might only be the Skoda Scala and Skoda Octavia that beat the 308’s 412-litre boot. The 308 has a bit of a load lip to haul shopping bags over, but it’s no worse than rivals. We wouldn’t say no to a few more hooks and features in the boot, mind you.

Plug-in-hybrid and electric 308s lose a bit of boot space and the underfloor storage you get in purely engine-powered models – again, just like rivals. The resulting 361-litre space is a mere 19 litres short of a petrol Golf, and a plug-in Golf only gives you 273 litres to play with.

Fast-growing families and devoted dog dads will be even better served by the Peugeot 308 SW estate. To our eyes it looks even more handsome than the hatchback, and the best bit is that boot space swells to 608 litres (548 in plug-in hybrid models).

Further forward, every 308 gets a central armrest with a useful storage cubby underneath, as well as a couple of cupholders and – unusually for a French car – a full-size glovebox.