Peugeot 308 used cars for sale

Peugeot offers the 308 with a choice of engines and trims. Keep reading to learn more about each option so you can choose the best 308 for you.

Peugeot 308 buying guide

What Peugeot 308 trim levels are there?

The 308 lineup starts with Active trim, although these are quite hard to find because most buyers chose mid-range trims and upwards. Active includes alloy wheels, cruise control, two-zone air conditioning, Peugeot's i-Cockpit digital dials ahead of the driver, rear parking sensors, and a basic infotainment system with DAB radio and Bluetooth. Stepping up to Active Premium adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Next up is Allure which adds automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, part-faux-leather upholstery, and a built-in sat-nav for the infotainment system. Allure Premium adds adaptive cruise control and keyless entry and start.

GT Line is Peugeot’s sporty-looking trim level similar to Mercedes AMG-Line. GT Line cars gain larger alloy wheels, a meaner-looking body kit, darker exterior stying details, a sportier looking exhaust tip and a sports steering wheel.

GT is next and is only offered on the more powerful engines in the 308 range. This trim gains LED headlights, more leather trim in the cabin, special GT badging and sweeping LED indicators. GT Premium trim adds blind spot monitoring, larger alloy wheels and part-suede-part leather upholstery.

Finally, you’ll find the full-fat 308 GTi which gets leather interior trim with red stitching, sports bucket seats up front, leather and suede upholstery, unique GTi wheels and body kit, sports suspension and a limited-slip differential for better grip when cornering.

Peugeot 308 interior and technology

The 308’s cabin is anything but conventional and – in a field of dull, conservative designs – it does at least stand out. You’ll be struck immediately by what Peugeot calls the i-Cockpit – an unusually small steering wheel that you look over to see the high-mounted driver’s dials. While not everyone gels with this design, we’re quite fond of how effortless it makes spinning the wheel during tight manoeuvres. Sadly, Peugeot loses some points for hiding the climate controls in the infotainment screen, which makes it hard to adjust them without taking your eyes off the road – the trade off is the otherwise impressively minimalist cabin design.

Peugeot’s infotainment system contains all the functions you’d expect – especially on Active Premium trim and above, which includes the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions. It’s not the most responsive unit you’ll find in this class, nor is the menu layout especially logical or well presented, meaning it’ll take a little longer than some rivals to become accustomed to it. Once you’ve got it figured out, however, it shouldn’t get in your way too often.

The 308’s practicality is a story of two halves. If you’re trying to squeeze as many passengers in as possible, there are better choices out there – rear legroom is limited if taller adults are sat up front, and elbow and shoulder room will be in short supply. The trade off, however, is one of the larger boots in the class, outstripping most of its rivals. The 308’s storage advantage becomes even more exaggerated in the SW estate version, which will be well suited to carrying dogs, bikes, or any other bulky clobber you care to store.

Peugeot 308 engine range explained

Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech 110

Entry-level 308 cars come powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This unit makes 110hp and can accelerate the 308 to 62mph from rest in 10 seconds, meaning it won’t win any drag races but shouldn’t feel too out of its depth when overtaking on the motorway.

Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech 130

If you do more regular high-speed driving, however, the PureTech 130 might be a better choice. This uses the same 1.2-litre engine but boosts power to 130hp, dropping the 0-62mph time into the nine-second range. The extra shove means this version will be a little more relaxed on the motorway. You can also specify this engine with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Peugeot 308 1.5 BlueHDi 130

The sole diesel option in the 308 lineup might make a great choice if you regularly travel long distances. This 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel makes 130hp and takes slightly less than 10 seconds to hit 62mph from rest. Average economy can rise as high as 66mpg if you drive with a light right foot. This engine is optionally available with the eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 260

If you’re after a bit of a thrill, the 308 GTi is the option for you. This hot hatch uses a heavily turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 260hp. With that much oomph on tap, the GTi will sprint to 62mph from a standstill in six seconds flat – putting it toe-to-toe with rivals including the VW Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST.