Peugeot 308 hatchback

Drive

The Peugeot 308 is good to drive and feels safe and composed in corners. It doesn't handle bends as well as the class-leading Ford Focus, but there's very little body roll and the brakes are strong. A number of electronic driving aids help to keep you safe, too. There are three petrol engines and three diesels to choose between. The 1.4-litre petrol struggles to pick up the pace, but the rest are more than sufficient. The 108bhp 1.6 HDi diesel  offers a decent mix of performance and economy, while the new 112bhp 1.6 e-HDi features an exceptionally  smooth stop-start system.

Comfort

The Peugeot 308 has the competition licked when it comes to comfort. There's very little wind or road noise at any speed, and the engines - in particular the diesels - are very quiet. The ride is generally smooth, but the 308 can become slightly unsettled over rough surfaces. The seats are comfortable and there's more than enough room for adults in the back.

Reliability

Safety is not an issue for the 308, as it's one of the most well-protected family cars. It scored five out of five Euro NCAP stars for adult occupants, four for child occupants and three for pedestrians, which is very strong. Each model has a minimum of six airbags, while deadlocks and remote central locking are standard. Reliability hasn't always been Peugeot's strongest point, and while the 308 didn't appear in the 2010 Driver Power reliability survey, Peugeot was ranked 24th out of 27 manufacturers in the 2010 JD Power Satisfaction survey.

Practicality

A 347-litre boot is about average for a mid-sized hatchback like the 308. The high boot-line hampers loading though, which can be a problem. Fold the rear seats down and a lot more space becomes available - 1,398 litres in total. Top-spec models get storage drawers under the rear seats and there's a handy covered area on the parcel shelf, too.

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Value for money

The 308 is priced to compete directly with rivals such as the Ford Focus and Honda Civic, so, while it isn't overly expensive, it isn't particularly cheap, either. Entry-level Urban models don't have huge amounts of equipment. You get electric windows, a CD stereo and not much more. Things improve with the Sport model, which adds cruise control, a leather-covered steering wheel, electronic stability control and 17-inch alloy wheels. Resale values aren't great, as the 308 sheds its value quite quickly second-hand.

Running costs

The large array of engines in the 308's arsenal mean there's something for everyone, and, thanks to a recent round of revisions, they're all very economical. The best of the bunch is the new 112bhp 1.6-litre e-HDi, which features a very smooth stop-start system, emits 109g/km of CO2 in Oxygo trim (98g/km when mated to the EGC automated manual box) and promises economy of 67mpg.