Peugeot 308 Review (2026)

Read Caroline’s Peugeot 308 review for everything you need to know about buying Peugeot’s compact hatchback in Ireland in 2026.

Peugeot continues to refresh its line-up with the arrival of a newly updated Peugeot 308 hatchback and 308 SW estate. It gets quite a significant facelift, however there’s even more good news when it comes to powertrains.

There will be four available – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and diesel. It’s the electric E-308 that sees the biggest update, with range now increased to 450km (WLTP).

Peugeot invited me to Lisbon to find out more about what’s new and drive the facelifted 2026 Peugeot 308 hatchback and 308 SW in hybrid and electric.

Peugeot 308 Design

The 308 has long been one of the sportiest and most elegant cars in its class, easily standing out against rivals like the Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. The facelift builds on that kerb appeal with new LED headlights and three-claw signature, and redesigned grille with new body-coloured inserts. There’s also a different front bumper design with new air intakes to help air flow around the car.

There are two trim levels for Ireland: Allure and GT. New alloy wheel designs have been added, with Allure models sitting on 17-inch, while GTs get 18-inch. However, opt for the E-308 and it’s 18-inch across both trims as standard.

GT models also get matrix LED headlights and above the lion badge, a strip of luminous strands that add instant glamour to the front of the 308. The Peugeot logo can also light up for the very first time, exclusive to the 308 GT.

Peugeot has also refreshed the colour palette with new Lagoa Blue for the hatchback and Ingaro Blue added as an exclusive shade for the 308 SW.

Altogether, a subtle but effective update that makes the 308 look even more upmarket and distinctive on the road.

Peugeot 308 interior

Peugeot hasn’t overhauled the cabin, so it retains the previous generation i-Cockpit layout rather than the panoramic display seen in the latest 3008. That said, it still feels sporty and driver-focused. A digital driver display sits above a compact steering wheel as before. There is also a subtle upgrade in some of the interior materials and new fabric/synthetic leather seat upholsteries. GT models benefit from 8-colour ambient lighting, some new Alcantara door and dash inserts, while there’s also new lime green top-stitching above the dashboard.

Infotainment is looked after via the same 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as before. It features a panel of customisable iToggle shortcuts underneath. There’s also a row of shortcut buttons for the climate controls and a button that can turn off the ADAS features all at once.

There are two USB ports front and rear.

Standard features on the Allure include adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera. However the E-308 is a slightly better specced car with heated steering wheel and heated front seats.

Practicality

The 308 hatchback has 412 litres in the hybrid, however the electric is down to 361 litres. But it does feature some clever underfloor storage for the charging cables. The rear seats also split fold 60:40. The 308 SW offers more boot space, up to 598 litres.

The rear seating of the 308 hatchback is more cramped for three because of the prominent transmission tunnel, but there are two Isofix points, an armrest and USB-C ports. Family buyers will be better served by the 308 SW.

Driving the 308

The Peugeot 308 will be offered with a range of different power options. The first to arrive next year will be the hybrid and electric, while diesel and potentially a plug-in hybrid will join in the second half of 2026.

It’s the E-308 and the plug-in hybrid that benefit the most in the update. The 308 plug-in hybrid now extends its EV range to 85km, while the E-308 has increased battery capacity to 58kWh, which increases range from 416km to up to 450km (WLTP). It’s not a dramatic jump, but it keeps the E-308 competitive, comparing well to the newly launched Kia EV4 Standard Range (440 km), for instance.

The 308 diesel will use the well-proven 1.5-litre unit with 130hp, while the Hybrid 145 uses a 1.2-litre petrol engine with battery and electric motor to boost power, efficiency and responsiveness.

On the road, the 308 is agile and athletic to drive with well-weighted steering and not too much body roll. The E-308 has a 156hp motor as before sending power to the front wheels, while 0-100km/h is a relaxed 9.3 seconds. It feels nippiest and most responsive in the Sport mode, but acceleration feels more muted in the Normal and Eco modes. Smooth, quiet and extremely refined, it remains one of the nicest electric hatchbacks to drive, though it does ride a tad firm over broken tarmac.

New for 2026 are paddles for three-level regenerative braking behind the steering wheel, though there is still no one-pedal drive mode. A heat pump does come as standard for the E-308 for more efficient heating of the cabin in winter. During my test drive in Lisbon I averaged 13.8kWh per 100 kilometres.

Peugeot 308 Video Review

Charging

There’s 11 kW AC charging and 100 kW DC like before for a 20–80% charge in 32 minutes. A new feature for 2026 is vehicle to load capability.

Pricing in Ireland

The range kicks off from €33,995 for the Allure Hybrid and from €38,495 for the GT. The E-308 Allure is available from €36,390 and from €39,190 for the GT.

Verdict

With even sharper styling and updated powertrains, the Peugeot 308 has just strengthened its position in the competitive compact hatchback segment. The hybrid will appeal to most buyers, while the E-308 remains one of the most stylish electric hatchbacks you can buy. Range improvements are good, though the lack of a long range option may limit its appeal. Still, it’s attractively priced and extremely refined to drive.

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year