2022 Peugeot 308 renews the handsome hatch for another generation

With more than eight years under its belt, the aging Peugeot 308 gets a new generation. With design cues from the smaller 208 hatch, larger 508 sedan as well as the 3008 and 5008 crossovers, the third-gen Peugeot 308 is quite a looker and it comes with VW Golf on its radar.

The new Peugeot 308 is larger than the second-gen model. The front end is proper Peugeot, complete with the large grill, slim matrix LED headlamps and the “lion’s fangs” LED DRLs. The rear is detailed by the sharp tail lamps, connected to each other by a glossy black trim piece. The wheel sizes range from 16 to 18 inches depending on the trim level.

Peugeot’s obsession with sharp and slightly eccentric design continues inside the new 308. The dashboard design reminds us of a concept car. The two-spoke steering wheel is unique, with a 10-inch driver information display behind it. Another 10-inch screen serves as the infotainment screen. HVAC controls are placed in another small touch-sensitive panel below the infotainment screen. Unlike many modern cars that rely completely on touch screens, Peugeot has left some physical buttons at the bottom of the center console. The 308 is also packed with features like wireless charging, ambient lighting, electrically adjustable seats, a Clean Cabin air purifying system, a 10-speaker sound system and more.

A 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine opens up the new Peugeot 308 range, with 110 hp. The same engine tuned up to 130 hp features in the higher models. A 1.5-litre diesel engine is also on offer. All three engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto transmission. Inevitably, there are plug-in-hybrid variants in the lineup, two of them, both with the same 12.4-kWh battery pack and a 109 hp electric motor. Combining the electric motor with their petrol engines, the output of their powertrains are 180 hp and 220 hp respectively. As per WLTP-certification, both models are good for an electric range of 60 kilometres.

The 2022 Peugeot 308 will go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2021. Slightly-premium hatchbacks (as in, not-a-Yaris) have never been a hot segment in the Middle East, but the Peugeot 308 had been on sale here for a while now, even as the next-gen VW Golf (except GTI and R) and Ford Focus have been cancelled for the Middle East. So here’s to hoping the new model makes it here.