Peugeot 308 GT Premium Hatch 2023 Review

Priced from $48,990 plus on-road costs, the 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium hatch on test is pushing well into prestige price territory.

It’s one of only two model grades in the new-generation 308 hatch range, sitting $5000 above the entry-level 308 GT at $43,990 plus ORCs. A 308 station wagon is also available in GT Premium guise from $50,490 plus ORCs.

At the circa-$50K marker, the 308 hatch is priced well above the flagship variants (sans high-performance machines) from mainstream brands like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, and fellow Europeans such as the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Scala and even the new Cupra Leon.

Instead, the 308 Premium asks to be considered alongside the Audi A3 Sportback (from $47,700), BMW 1 Series (from $53,900) and Mercedes-Benz A-Class (from $57,980).

The good news, given that inflated investment, is that the new 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium hatch comes with a lengthy equipment list as standard.

With few exceptions, that’s not something that many manufacturers can lay claim to.

Indeed, with the exception of a couple of safety and driver assist functions, and perhaps a panoramic glass roof not found on the entry 308 GT hatch, equipment levels are extensive regardless of model grade.

The 308 Premium’s exterior features body-coloured door handles and rear spoiler, gloss black B-pillar and rear diffuser, twin chrome exhausts, dark chrome grille, 18-inch alloy wheels and the abovementioned panoramic glass sunroof.

Full Matrix LED headlights and daytime running lights with automatic dusk-sensing function and high beam assist are standard.

The leather-clad multifunction steering wheel and Nappa leather eight-way electric-adjust heated seats (with two-position memory and massage function) are finished with contrast stitching.

This leather ensemble is complimented by eight-colour ambient lighting, aluminium door sills and aluminium sports pedals including driver’s footrest.

A Focal premium 10-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition and internet-connected 3D navigation with three years’ free subscription is standard too.

Multi-drive modes of Eco, Normal and Sport set driving tone, which we’ll discuss more later on.

The new Peugeot 308 received a sub-standard four-star ANCAP safety rating last year.

It scored 82 per cent for safety assist technology, 79 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection and 68 per cent for vulnerable road user protection.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with low light pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, speed sign recognition and driver attention warning are standard on all 308 variants.

The GT Premium hatch and wagon add active lane positioning assist.

Driver and front passenger side, front and rear curtain airbags are standard, but no knee or centre airbags.

The 2023 Peugeot 308 shows off a new multimedia and technology interface, raising the tone of the cabin in looks and functionality.

Combined, a 10-inch high-definition colour touch-screen and 10-inch 3D digital instrumentation panel occupy the bulk of your dash and line of sight and it’s through here that all of the technology comes to life.

The infotainment suite includes Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM/DAB radio and, at GT Premium level, that Focal premium 10-speaker sound system which delivers crystal-clear sound to the cabin.

A wireless smartphone charging pad and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard across the range.

The screen is easy to use and responds quickly to touch. There’s also a few shortcut buttons below the screen to enable quick access to important things – like dual-zone climate control.

The digital instrumentation panel looks great and is easy to scroll through the information. That said, the position of the steering wheel, combined with my ideal seating position, makes it very hard to see this information – particularly the speedo, which is obscured by the top of the steering wheel.

By the end of my time in the 308 I had found a satisfactory seating position whereby I could see the speedo, but I was perched higher than I like to be.

A head-up display (not an option) would fix this visibility problem.

Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera on the GT Premium offers front, side and rear camera views with great screen resolution.

The 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine used in previous-generation 308s that sends all power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

For now, it’s the only drivetrain in the 308 line-up. A <a href="http://<<plug-in hybrid is expected here shortly and a battery-electric variant has been revealed overseas but has not yet been confirmed for the Australian market.

The little 1.2-litre turbo pumps out 96kW and 5500rpm and 230Nm at 1750rpm, which is leagues behind a Golf GTI (180kW/370Nm) but not far off an entry-level Audi A3 35 TFSI (110kW/250Nm).

While it’s no powerhouse, the 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium is an economical car to run.

The claimed combined fuel consumption is 5.3L/100km (ADR), running on the recommended the 95 RON premium fuel.

Our time behind the wheel delivered an average fuel consumption closer to 6.0L/100km.

In a word. Fun.

It will serve you well to keep in mind the small-capacity three-cylinder engine that’s working to power the 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium hatch, along with its claimed 0-100km/h time of 9.7sec.

The 308 GT Premium looks like a hot hatch, but it isn’t one. And with that dose of perspective, you’re going to thoroughly enjoy the ride.

The drive is spritely and there’s great feedback through the squared-off steering wheel. It makes it easy to steer and place the 308 around the suburbs – where the little Peugeot feels thoroughly at home.

From standstill there is some turbo lag which can be a little frustrating. It also requires a measured input and patience when you’re undertaking low speed manoeuvres – like tight parking spots – because it’s hard to creep slowly and smoothly.

It’s a little ‘all or nothing’ at low speeds. At higher rolling speed, the throttle is more responsive and the eight-speed auto is quick to change gears.

The three drive modes of Eco, Sport and Normal change the car’s characteristics, with the higher revs and tighter feel at the wheel in Sport mode more in keeping with this vehicle’s sporty looks.

Brakes work well and bring the 308 to a standstill in no time.

Ride comfort and cabin refinement are excellent. While the suspension – MacPherson strut in the front and torsion beam in the rear – lean towards a firmer ride, it’s not stiff or harsh.

On a family weekend away rolling on the patchwork surface that is the Hume Freeway in Melbourne, the Peugeot 308 GT Premium proved a very comfortable ride for all occupants.

The interior of the 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium follows the vibe set by its exterior – sleek and sophisticated.

And in true Peugeot style, unique. It doesn’t feel like a copycat of its European rivals. Instead, the 308 has a character of its own.

The Nappa leather driver’s seat is supportive and offers great electric adjustability and two-position memory. That flattened-off leather-wrapped steering wheel feels good in hand and looks special, too.

The centre screen sets a modern tone and it’s highly functional too.

A surprise quality of the 308, however, is its in-cabin storage. For a small car, it’s carved a lot of useable space in the cabin – two cup holders, a lidded arm rest, inductive phone charging pad another spot for smaller items, and in-door storage.

Second-row amenity is also good. The two outboard seats are large and comfortable, with good legroom and headroom. The middle-seat legroom is compromised, but fine for short commutes.

There are back-of-seat storage nets, two directional air vents, two charge points and room for a drink bottle in the door bins. But there’s no centre arm rest or cup holders for outboard passengers.

If you’re fitting child restraints, there are two ISOFIX positions and three top tether anchor points.

The 384-litre boot offers decent load space and 60/40-split folding erar seats allow for larger items. It has a hard cargo cover to hide your gear, four anchor points and a light.

Disappointingly, there’s no electric tailgate as found in the GT Premium Wagon, and beneath the boot floor you’ll find an inflator kit in place of a spare tyre.

Could it be third time lucky for the third-generation 2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium hatch?

There’s a lot to like about the new-generation 308. It’s good looks alone should be enough to get a lot of buyers behind the wheel.

But from there it’s going to be a battle to seal the deal when there are other excellent vehicles vying for buyers at a lower price point.

Add to that the fact Peugeot still struggles to be considered on an even playing field with the traditional Euros and it’s a tough call.

The style set may be easily swayed. Those with a sharp pencil, not so much.

2023 Peugeot 308 GT Premium hatch at a glance:
Price: $48,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 96kW/230Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 120g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (ANCAP 2022)