► Longer-range e-308 introduced with V2L
► Petrol, diesel, PHEV and electric remain available
► And, sigh, you can now have a light-up badge
Peugeot has revealed a facelift for its mid-size 308 hatch and 308 SW estate, with the focus being on styling revisions and upgraded electric and hybrid engines.
Though long overtaken in Peugeot’s sales charts by its crossovers, the 308 continues to be a popular choice, not least for its wide range of engines.
It took a turn upmarket when the current third-generation model arrived in 2022, offering a posher interior and more refined road manners to put it contention of more premium rivals, such as the Audi A3.
Though it’s only three years since it came out, this segment remains as competitive as ever, with Peugeot now back with a new version that it hopes will continue its success.
It was back in 2021 that the 308 introduced a new design language for Peugeot, but things have changed a lot in that time.
The facelifted 308 gets a new set of headlights with a different take on Peugeot’s lighting signature – the previous drooping single ‘claw’ is now replaced by a three-line signature within the main lighting units. The new bumpers also get more prominent air intakes to make it look sportier than it did before.
The badge is also (unfortunately) the first model from the firm to get an illuminated badge – dear Peugeot, you don’t have to copy Mercedes and VW. The grille has also been revised and is now body coloured, with wider elements in it helping to improve airflow.
Changes around the rear aren’t quite so significant, but there are new LED lights across the line-up and more striking alloy wheels available. Two new shades of blue also join the colour palette.
The Peugeot 308 is one of very few cars available with a choice of petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains and that will continue with this facelift. A new diesel in 2025!
The 128bhp 1.5-litre diesel will be carried over, as will the 143bhp 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine introduced more recently to the 308 line-up. Instead, the changes concern the electric e-308.
Starting with the EV, which gets a marginally bigger 58kWh battery (up from 54kWh), improving the electric range from 258 to 281 miles. It continues to use the same 154bhp motor, and DC charging continues to max out at a slightly old-school 100kW, meaning 20 to 80 per cent recharge takes 32 minutes. The e-308 is also now available with vehicle-to-load (V2L), allowing its battery to charge external electric devices.
Peugeot only refreshed its plug-in hybrid setup earlier in the year, and this carries over with the facelift. A 1.6-litre petrol engine is paired to an electric motor for a combined 195bhp, with its 17.2kWh battery allowing a claimed 53-mile electric range.
Not many if we’re being honest, though the 308’s screen-heavy interior still looks pretty modern.
New 3D graphics appear on the digital instrument cluster on top-spec models, but that really is about the extent of the changes. Yikes.
As before, you’ll be able to buy the 308 as a five-door hatch or 308 SW estate. UK sales are likely to start towards the end of 2025.
Prices are yet to be announced but expect a small increase on the outgoing 308 and 308 SW’s £33,325 and £34,595 starting prices.
Senior staff writer, car reviewer, news hound, avid car detailer.
By Ted Welford
Senior staff writer at CAR and our sister website Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny