Goodbye hands
For the sedan (and the wagon) Peugeot 308 comes a new digital dashboard: it is standard and replaces the previous analog. The 10 ”monitor is clear, provides a lot of information and offers five configurations. Among these, the one with the full-screen 3D map for the navigator. The engine offer has also been revised, all complying with the most recent Euro 6d anti-pollution standard. The choice is between the three-cylinder 1.2 petrol engine with 110 or 131 HP and the 1.5 diesel with 131 HP, all turbo. For the two more powerful units, an eight-speed automatic transmission (2,000 euros) is also provided, as an alternative to the manual one with six gears. The balanced forms of the Peugeot 308 remain unchanged. A further possibility of customization is added with the Black pack (from 290 euros), with all the external details, including the black grille and window frames.
From 22,700 euros
The set-ups of the Peugeot 308. Already the less expensive Active (from 22,700 euros for the 110 bhp 1.2), provides dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, automatic emergency braking and rear distance sensors. The richest GT in the test (from € 28,350 for the 131 bhp 1.2) also has keyless access, full LED headlights, navigator and driving aids such as anti-sleep warning, adaptive cruise control and keeping in lane. For 1,500 euros more, the GT Pack adds the blind spot monitoring of the mirrors and the semi-automatic parking system.
Not always practical
Spacious and well finished, the passenger compartment of the Peugeot 308 confirms itself as welcoming. Some limitations remain, for example in the driving position. In order not to cover part of the instrumentation with the crown, the small steering wheel must be adjusted low and the seat kept rather high. Furthermore, on-board services such as air conditioning and radio are only managed from the large 10.3 ”screen in the console: they force you to distract yourself from driving, to browse the menus. Nothing to complain about the functionality of the multimedia system, complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the more than satisfactory load capacity. The trunk is easily accessed from the large tailgate, with the threshold not far from the ground.
Lively and comfortable
The 1.5 diesel of the Peugeot 308, which makes little noise and pushes vigorously from low revs. Pressing the Sport button in the tunnel, the response becomes more prompt, the audio system reproduces a “sporty” roar (fortunately in a more discreet way than in the past) and the steering becomes much heavier to operate. In any case it is a precise and prompt command, and the small steering wheel has the effect of making it more direct. The not very compliant suspensions favor rapid changes of trajectory, contributing to the pleasant driving of the Peugeot 308 (penalized only by the not exceptional maneuverability of the gearbox) without affecting comfort: most of the disconnections are absorbed effectively. Not the best, however, the rear visibility: the fault of the large roof pillars. During the test, partly in traffic in Milan and partly on suburban roads, the on-board computer calculated a consumption of about 15 km / l: not bad, considering the spirited driving we adopted.
In our opinion
Benefits
> Engine. It is brilliant and fluid in dispensing.
> Comfort. The passenger compartment is well insulated from external noise and from the disconnections of the asphalt.
> Instrumentation. The new digital dashboard is clear and configurable.
Defects.
> Commands. The management of the secondary ones from the monitor in the console is cumbersome.
> Visibility. The rear three-quarter is not that great.
> Steering wheel. It should be adjusted low so as not to cover part of the instrumentation.
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