I love these new Pugs. I own a 208 GTI and absolutely love it. The ST is deffo worth looking at but I prefer the stance to the 208 and the interior. My advice is avoid going new as you pick them up on eBag fairly cheap. I picked up mine for £10,000 with 16K miles on. For £30K I would get an RS. At £15K ish it's between an ST or 208 GTi (PS?).
Robert Lloyd many thanks. The 308 GTi is such an accomplished hot hatch, has all the ingredients, just didn't fall in love with it. Engine is smashing.
This is the first review (in dozens) where the adjustability of the chassis isn't appreciated. It's a lively thing, like the fiesta ST, and nothing like (thankfully) the somewhat dull presentation of the Leon/Golf VAG serves up. Anyone looking for sensible money hot hatch thrills should include this and the the new focus ST. Golf R and Civic are a different price band, as was the RS when it was in production, and all are much more shouty. The Pug is a simply great Q car. Perfect perhaps for those who just want to get from A to B ASAP without attracting unwanted attention.
Driver's Seat ..5:37 min.. you say you're sitting in the lowest position (as do i), and guessing you are as tall as me, average height (175cm) - i had the steering wheel on the lowest height, as that is the direct line with my body (again, sitting in the lowest position) and only reasonable position for the arms to rest on the arms rests, as on any other height (the wheel higher), it does obstruct the view of the speed - but having the wheel as high as you have, is just rediculous - arms are uselessly high...... but i guess, your personal preferance is not to see the speed, having the wheel so high, pointlessly - i on the other hand, had it lower, for comfort and full visibility...... all i am trying to say, is next time, you do a review, be truly objective......
Sorry, but with 270 bhp and 1200kgs should be way quicker than it actually is - Sierra Cosworth 204 bhp/1224kgs and 6.1s 0-60 and that was 30 years ago.
The Sierra was Rwd unlike the Fwd 308 so naturally it will have better 0-60 capability. once they are both rolling though say 40mph onwards the 308 would be quicker.
Adding to Wils comment; 0-100 13.3 secs on the Peugeot. 16.1 secs on the sierra just from googling. Think your comment sl077766 doesn't create a full picture.
You're right. The reason it isn't as quick as you might expect is that it actually weighs 1300 kg and power numbers also are sometimes a little bit off the advertised figures. That being said it's still VERY quick and puts most 2-liter competition of its era to shame.
In your conclusion at the end, you summarize: "no personality, cannot bond with the car". Not to mention your body language, it says it all.... that's why I don't understand the 8/10 rating. Nothing more, nothing less.
GTI_CHHA see what you're saying. However, just because I didn't bond with it doesn't mean it's a poor car (looking at it objectively). It's super quick with a brilliant engine, full of kit, and has good handling. So not a bad car (infact very capable) and gets 8/10. Personally, I just didn't bond with it. (I know people who have).
Love the car but it's seriously not worth the money!.... And it says it all as u can pick em up for 16 grand with only ten thousand miles on the clock!....
Guess if you buy using the finance package where you don't own the car and hand back after 2-3 yrs, it doesn't really matter. Then people doing that gives us second hand buyers a great car that has depreciated so quickly its a bargin.
Probably the best car Peugeot have produced, since the legendary 205 GTI.
Colin Groves true
I totally agree
208gti by PS.
wils35 really
I love these new Pugs. I own a 208 GTI and absolutely love it. The ST is deffo worth looking at but I prefer the stance to the 208 and the interior. My advice is avoid going new as you pick them up on eBag fairly cheap. I picked up mine for £10,000 with 16K miles on.
For £30K I would get an RS. At £15K ish it's between an ST or 208 GTi (PS?).
Beautiful car . It's not for nothing this car was elected car of the year .
very interesting review with an honest conclusion thanks
Robert Lloyd many thanks. The 308 GTi is such an accomplished hot hatch, has all the ingredients, just didn't fall in love with it. Engine is smashing.
What a beautiful French car.
This is the first review (in dozens) where the adjustability of the chassis isn't appreciated. It's a lively thing, like the fiesta ST, and nothing like (thankfully) the somewhat dull presentation of the Leon/Golf VAG serves up. Anyone looking for sensible money hot hatch thrills should include this and the the new focus ST. Golf R and Civic are a different price band, as was the RS when it was in production, and all are much more shouty. The Pug is a simply great Q car. Perfect perhaps for those who just want to get from A to B ASAP without attracting unwanted attention.
Love this car
your comment about not seeing the speed is false.. i have many times driven this car and all is absolutely perfectly visible...
Mathias Gocik it’s not false if that was our experience, which it was. Glad you don’t experience the same issues, though.
Driver's Seat ..5:37 min.. you say you're sitting in the lowest position (as do i), and guessing you are as tall as me, average height (175cm) - i had the steering wheel on the lowest height, as that is the direct line with my body (again, sitting in the lowest position) and only reasonable position for the arms to rest on the arms rests, as on any other height (the wheel higher), it does obstruct the view of the speed - but having the wheel as high as you have, is just rediculous - arms are uselessly high...... but i guess, your personal preferance is not to see the speed, having the wheel so high, pointlessly - i on the other hand, had it lower, for comfort and full visibility...... all i am trying to say, is next time, you do a review, be truly objective......
Depends on drivers height?
Great Video Review. If was In the market for a Hot Hatch then I would choose the Ford Focus RS
Jamie Pickles 1.6 270hp vas 2.3 350hp, not the same category
I'm 6ft 2 and Had one of these in black/red its a Nice car but there steering wheel in way of dials is one dumb idea.
If your 6'2 you should have no problem seeing over the dials. I'm 6'3 and can see then clearly. You can also put the wheel down lower..
Bring it to the USA !
Sorry, but with 270 bhp and 1200kgs should be way quicker than it actually is - Sierra Cosworth 204 bhp/1224kgs and 6.1s 0-60 and that was 30 years ago.
The Sierra was Rwd unlike the Fwd 308 so naturally it will have better 0-60 capability.
once they are both rolling though say 40mph onwards the 308 would be quicker.
Adding to Wils comment; 0-100 13.3 secs on the Peugeot. 16.1 secs on the sierra just from googling. Think your comment sl077766 doesn't create a full picture.
You're right. The reason it isn't as quick as you might expect is that it actually weighs 1300 kg and power numbers also are sometimes a little bit off the advertised figures. That being said it's still VERY quick and puts most 2-liter competition of its era to shame.
Bad driving position ever in Hothatch , what a shame .
308 gti or megane 4 gt ?
Sport motivation definitely 308.
ok thx ,
Sport motivation 👍
How on earth can it get an 8/10 rating when it's not living up to the GTI standard?? That doesn't make any sense....
GTI_CHHA how is it not living up to the GTI standard?
In your conclusion at the end, you summarize: "no personality, cannot bond with the car". Not to mention your body language, it says it all.... that's why I don't understand the 8/10 rating. Nothing more, nothing less.
GTI_CHHA see what you're saying. However, just because I didn't bond with it doesn't mean it's a poor car (looking at it objectively). It's super quick with a brilliant engine, full of kit, and has good handling. So not a bad car (infact very capable) and gets 8/10.
Personally, I just didn't bond with it. (I know people who have).
Got it, thanks for the response :-)
GTI_CHHA pleasure. Next week we'll have a SEAT Leon CUPRA 300 review if you're interested. All the best.
can you rip open that door any harder lol
Alex - yes you can.
Driver's Seat that was a quick reply 😂
Alex - not as quick as the door opening though
Driver's Seat 😂
Love the car but it's seriously not worth the money!.... And it says it all as u can pick em up for 16 grand with only ten thousand miles on the clock!....
Dead Street exactly. I love my 208 GTI but I don't think id pay £19K for it when you can buy them almost new for £13K
Guess if you buy using the finance package where you don't own the car and hand back after 2-3 yrs, it doesn't really matter. Then people doing that gives us second hand buyers a great car that has depreciated so quickly its a bargin.