Peugeot 308

The looks! According to Peugeot, looks are a key reason for choosing the brand. And in the case of the 308 and 308 SW, buyers explicitly do not want an SUV, but a traditional low car. This is partly because of safety (a low centre of gravity makes for better stability), partly because of efficiency (a lower car has less air resistance) and partly because of looks.

Facelift

For the 2026 model year, Peugeot trades extravagant looks for more subdued and modern lines. Because the so-called "light signature" is important for a car's recognisability, a lot of work has been done on this very aspect. The headlights now consist of three lines meant to represent the claws of a lion. Instead of slats, the grille has separate elements and the pattern of the headlights continues into its top row. Because only the upper elements of the grille are illuminated, the 308 looks much more civilised than some competitors that illuminate the entire grille. Since European law recently allowed it, the logo is now illuminated. It is striking that precisely the 308 is the first Peugeot with an illuminated logo, as this model was also the first to have the new brand logo at the time.

Until now, only the GT version had rear lights with the same pattern as the headlights. From now on, all versions will have these beautiful tail lights. Moreover, the lower bumper has also been modified for better streamline and a more modern look. Decoration in chrome has been dropped because it is very environmentally harmful during production. Moreover, chrome gives the look of a conventional car and that does not suit the most popular version of the 308: the electric-powered e-308. The fabrics used also incorporate more eco-friendly materials than before.

As is now customary at Peugeot, it is introducing new colours on the revamped model. That way, it is clear at a glance that this is a modernised version. Two new shades of blue have been introduced for the revamped 308. According to the designers, one shade looks better on an estate car and the other on a hatchback and so there are two new blue colours. The estate car has an elegant grey/blue colour. The hatchback driven here has a vibrant green / blue hue that enhances its character.

Interior

Interior changes are minor. The fabrics have been revised and the graphic layout of the display behind the steering wheel has been updated. Still, Peugeot manages to make very clever use of depth perception, showing important things (speed) above less important data (battery charge/fuel level).

The functionality and space have remained the same. Typical of every new Peugeot is the "i-Cockpit" with a small steering wheel and a display just above it on the steering column. This makes for better legibility and forces the driver into an active sitting position.

The "i-Toggles" are switches under the display that put frequently used functions right at your fingertips. Previously, these were actual toggle switches. Henceforth, they are digital buttons, allowing the driver to determine their function himself. The equipment is complete, but with the hot breath of Chinese competition breathing down its neck, Peugeot would have been wise to expand it.

Peugeot e-308

As the hybrid and diesel engines have recently been added or renewed, only the electric e-308 has been updated. At the moment, continuous innovation is taking place at the parent company and so it is easy for Peugeot to enjoy this. After the DS No4, the Peugeot is Stellantis' second electric car to use the new electric powertrain.

The battery has the same dimensions as before, but thanks to improved cell chemistry, the energy density is now higher. In other words, a battery that takes up the same amount of space as before now contains more energy. In doing so, the driver can now more precisely control how much energy is recovered during coasting and braking. According to Peugeot, it is therefore almost possible to drive with just one pedal. As far as Autozine is concerned, this is a big step forward, but this is a matter of personal preference. The result of all this is lower consumption and thus a range of 450 km (theoretical according to WLTP). The test drive took place under low temperatures on an extremely demanding route and, together with a firm driving style, logically resulted in higher consumption: 17.1 kWh per 100 km.

Despite the increased battery capacity, the charging speed has unfortunately not been adjusted. However, charging has been made easier. From 2025, the 308 will support "plug and charge". With this, the car will pass on a unique serial number to the charging station. By linking that serial number to a bank account, charging can then be done without a charge card.

Driving behaviour

It is Peugeot's tradition to adjust handling only when introducing an entirely new car on an entirely new platform. So for this facelift, the suspension and steering have not been changed. And yet precisely the handling has been perceived as the 308's strongest point! Despite the fact that the 308 has been on the market for several years, the i-Cockpit concept remains rock-solid. The small steering wheel, the active seating position and the low build mean that handling is still exceptionally good. In the process, the 308 feels solid and stable. The most important lesson from this reacquaintance is therefore, above all, that the Peugeot e-308 is an exceptionally fine driving car, regardless of its looks.

Conclusion

The Peugeot 308 has once again been tweaked to keep up with the trend. As the petrol and diesel engines have been updated recently, only the electric version has been improved. It now has a higher-density battery and offers more possibilities to recover energy while driving. Therefore, its range has increased.

The emphasis of this facelift is on the exterior. That was previously more expressive. Henceforth, the 308 looks more subdued yet more modern. Peugeot has done a lot of work on the light signature, making the 308 even easier to recognise by the shape of the lights. The new colours look good on the car and enhance its appearance.

What has remained is the sophisticated concept. The so-called "i-Cockpit" ensures an active steering position and thanks to the small steering wheel, direct steering and balanced suspension, the e-308 is a delightful car that remains competitive even years after its initial introduction.