Upon its release, the Peugeot 308 GTi hot hatch is a model that just made sense. The 208 GTi was flying, coming off the back of its celebratory 30th Anniversary model, and the RCZ R was proving that Peugeot Sport was finally getting its mojo back with regards to performance models.

Similar in many ways to its smaller 208 GTi sibling – in the fact that its sporty styling and character is rather subtle – the 308, like other hot hatches, aims to offer a balance of performance and practicality.

The spectrum of current hot hatches is pretty wide though. On one end of the spectrum you have the sensible VW Golf GTi and on the other you have the rogue, whip-lash inducing Renaultsport Megane and Honda Civic Type R. But where does the 308 GTi sit?

Performance

Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol unit which isn’t short of power. The standard 308 GTi boasts an output of 246bhp, which gets it from zero to 62mph in just 6.2 seconds. If that’s not quick enough for you, then there is a higher-output 266bhp version which shaves 0.2 seconds of this sprint time.

Although the 266bhp model is quicker to 62mph, both versions offer the same 155mph top speed and 330Nm of torque – and pulling power feels plentiful.

A six-speed manual is the only transmission and it offers snappy gear changes through the range, allowing you to quickly flit through the gears. It does however have a slightly long throw, which takes away from the sporty experience slightly.

If you plan on taking on twisty roads or exploiting all its power then you will want to press the Sport button. Putting the 308 GTi in Sport Mode sharpens up the throttle response, turns the dials behind the steering wheel red and enhances the engine note (although a lot of the engine roar is played synthetically through the speakers).

We would recommend keeping it in Sport Mode if you are after raw hot hatch performance as the 1.6-litre petrol can feel a little soft in Normal Mode when cruising around town.

Ride and Handling

Going into corners it feels incredibly well planted with tons of grip. At the same time, it still manages to offer a comfortable ride, for a hot hatch that is.

With a lowered-ride and stiffened springs and dampers, the 308 GTi feels meatier than the standard 308 hatchback. Going into corners it feels incredibly well planted with tons of grip. At the same time, it still manages to offer a comfortable ride, for a hot hatch that is. Go for the higher-output model and you also get Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tyres, larger brakes and a Torsen Limited Slip Differential to enhance composure when cornering. In fact, you can turn off the traction control and have a surprising amount of fun whipping the back end out. Body composure isn’t the 308 GTi’s problem. It’s the steering that lets it down. Although it is sharp, the steering lacks feedback and limits the amount of man and machine connection you can have. You will also be greeted with torque steer under heavy acceleration.

Interior and Equipment

The 308 actually has a plastic boot, which Peugeot put in place in order to reduce weight.

The 308 GTi gets the same shrunken steering wheel and de-cluttered dashboard layout as the standard model, with all key function buttons integrated into a 9.7-inch touchscreen. This means that there is more surface area for things like scratchy plastics, but Peugeot has done a decent job of balancing this out with a soft touch dashboard. Standard kit includes DAB radio, climate control, a reversing camera, Bluetooth and sat-nav. The touchscreen system is easy to navigate, but the fact that you have to go through menus just to alter the climate control is a bit of a pain, especially if you have to take your eyes off the road when on the motorway. The sat-nav can be frustrating at times too, taking you the long way round when you didn’t ask it to. Stepping into the rear, there is plenty of space for kids and small adults, but anyone nearing six foot will find both leg and head room a tad cramped – the panoramic glass roof doesn’t help here.The boot offers 470 litres which is up there with the best in class. The only slight niggle with the boot is the large hump when you fold the rear seats down.

Cost

Taking in a mixture of motorways, B-roads and city streets, we got around 32mpg.

Prices for the 308 GTi start from just under £27,000 – or just over £28,000 if you want the 266bhp output model. At this price the 308 GTi is slightly cheaper than the VW Golf GTi and Honda Civic Type R. Efficiency and fuel economy wise, the 308 GTi emits 139g/km of CO2 and it claims an average return of around 47mpg. However, taking in a mixture of motorways, B-roads and city streets, we got around 32mpg.

Our Verdict

There are many different types of hot hatches. Some that ooze nothing but adrenaline-pumped hooliganism and others that offer more of a Jekyll and Hyde personality. The 308 GTi is definitely the latter. Unlike hot hatches like the Renaultsport Megane and Civic Type R, the 308 GTi has a softer side that reigns supreme over its performance side. It is much more of a family hatchback than it is a sports car, but it can still handle itself when you throw a hairpin bend its way.