Although much about the 308 is continued from the previous car, there’s no mistaking the interior for anything other than being all-new. The increase in perceived quality is massive. Materials, textures and fit and finish are much better than they were in the 307. Dials and vents are nicely trimmed, the switchgear operates with precision and the forward-located windscreen with its large glass area makes the 308 feel pretty airy inside.
The driving position is generally good. The steering wheel has a broad level of rake and reach adjustment and there’s plenty of headroom. The seats are fine – large enough, if a touch flat.
Driving controls mostly operate with a very Peugeot-like feel: a soft if progressive clutch, slightly over-servoed brakes and a degree of vagueness to the gearchange. But the steering itself is much improved in general feel – much more responsive and positive than before, accurate and nicely weighted.
Rear-seat accommodation isn’t as spacious as in the front, and more significantly it feels less airy because the window line and roof fall towards the rear, but it’s up to class standards.
Boot space and oddments storage are reasonable too, and there’s a retractable ‘curry hook’ on the centre console.
If there’s one area where the advantages of taking existing components and refining them comes to the fore, it should be here. And that should be welcome news indeed for Peugeot owners because the 307 was, according to customer satisfaction surveys, anything but a delight to own and drive.
Still, it is well priced and well equipped compared with its European rivals, while depreciation is par for the course for a car sold to fleets in big numbers. What the Peugeot cannot match is the pricing or warranty offered by Kia and Hyundai.
It’s safe, though: our test car, like most versions, comes with seven airbags and the 308 was awarded the maximum five Euro NCAP test stars.