Economy and refinement
THE biggest-selling family car in the UK has long been the Ford Focus, but I wouldn’t buy one without first driving the very good Peugeot 308.
It’s up with the Astra, Golf and Focus in almost every way and the latest 1.5 diesel engine gives it superb economy along with amazing refinement and ultra-low emissions.
Power is up by 10bhp over the ageing 1.6, but it feels like a lot more and gives excellent acceleration in the bottom five of the six-speed manual gearbox.
The 1.6 is still available alongside the 1.5 for the time being, but the new engine is a great improvement in terms of torque, power and driveability.
It can sprint to 60mph in well under 10 seconds and yet still gives very low emissions and excellent economy.
On the motorway it becomes obvious that sixth gear is a cruiser with very little acceleration, and meant only to improve economy over longer journeys.
It will accelerate gently but if you need more it is necessary to drop down to fifth or fourth. Urge in fourth is more than enough for quick, safe overtaking.
It also pulls happily from tickover in all six gears and is one of the most refined diesels I have driven.
I got 45.5mpg on a swift 240-mile trip going to help a daughter move house and that translates to 50mpg or even 60mpg with a lighter right foot. The official figure, for comparison only, is no less than 80mpg.
The gearbox has a lovely change but the lever has a polished metal knob which is just too cold on freezing mornings if you’re not wearing gloves. I would change it immediately.
In Active spec, the 308 comes with LED day running lights, climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB.
It also has alloy wheels, sat nav, audio remote, traction control and an alarm system.
The Peugeot 308 Active BlueHDi 1.5 I drove costs £20,700.