The Peugeot 308 GTi is a performance-orientated version of the standard Peugeot 308 hatchback. It’ll go from 0-62mph in just 6.2 seconds, yet return almost 50mpg. It competes with the excellent Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI, while offering a more ‘mature’ approach to the hot-hatch experience than cars like the Honda Civic Type R and Renault’s Renaultsport Megane.

Unlike the Golf GTI (which is available with three or five doors) and the Focus ST (which is available as a hatchback or estate) the 308 GTi is only offered as a five-door hatchback – although you do get one of the biggest boots in this class, so it remains a practical car. You also get a choice of power outputs. The turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine is available with either 247 or 266bhp, called GTi 250 and GTi 270 respectively. Both return 47.1mpg and cost £130 a year in road tax, thanks to CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

Choosing the more powerful engine adds roughly £1,500 to the 308 GTi’s list price, and while many will welcome the additional oomph, it nudges the asking price to over £28,000. This engine drops the 308 GTi’s 0-62mph fractionally to six seconds dead, plus you get some enhanced interior details and handling upgrades.

Even in the less powerful 247bhp guise, however, the 308 GTi is faster on paper than either the Golf GTI or Focus ST; it’s also generously equipped. All models feature sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, a reversing camera and sports seats.

Peugeot has deliberately taken a subtle approach to the 308 GTi’s styling, so there are sporty details inside and out (such as the understated bodykit and red-stitched steering wheel), but the overall impression is of a car that wears its performance credentials quietly. That’ll appeal to some, but drivers who want to make more of a statement should check out the Honda Civic Type R, which has a more overtly sporty design.

On the road, lowered and stiffened suspension makes the 308 GTi feel agile and suitably sporty to drive, with upgraded brakes to cope with the performance on offer. A five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP adds further reassurance, as do recent reliability improvements from Peugeot.

Considering the performance on offer, economy is very good. Regardless of whether you choose the 247 or 266bhp model, the 308 GTi returns 47.1mpg and emits 139g/km of CO2, for an annual road tax bill of £130. While nobody buys a hot hatch with frugality in mind (and driving in a sporty manner will see that economy figure become increasingly theoretical) the 308 GTi is more efficient than many similar cars; the less powerful Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the few rivals that can match it for fuel economy.

Peugeot’s three-year/60,000-mile warranty is average rather than remarkable, although servicing costs should be reasonable, especially when compared to sports cars with similar performance.

 

The 308 GTi is faster than many of its rivals. Even the less powerful 247bhp 308 GTi can go from 0-62mph in just 6.2 seconds, beating the Golf GTi and Focus ST by a third of a second. Choosing the 266bhp 270 GTi model sees the 0-62mph time drop to six seconds dead. Keen drivers will also welcome this version’s limited-slip differential, which varies the amount of power sent to each wheel depending on how much grip is available.

On the road, the 308 GTi is thoroughly enjoyable to drive and feels every inch a true hot hatchback. It features lower and stiffer suspension than the standard 308 hatchback, while a wider ‘track’ (the distance between the left and right wheels) provides extra grip and makes the car feel almost like a go-kart to drive.

Both the 250 GTi and 270 GTi come with Peugeot’s Driver Sport Pack, which (when turned on) pumps a synthesised engine note inside and sharpens up the handling even more. The system works well and makes driving the 308 GTi even more engaging.

The 308 GTi is very well equipped, but some may find its interior underwhelming. Peugeot has been very restrained in its approach to detailing the 308 GTi’s interior. There’s subtle red stitching on the steering wheel, a metal gear lever and pedals and part-leather sports seats, but the overall effect is restrained; some will find this a refreshingly mature approach, others may wish the 308 GTi felt more distinct from the standard 308 hatchback.

The Honda Civic Type R, in comparison, features bright red seats and makes no apologies for its sporty attitude. Whether you prefer Peugeot or Honda’s approach is a matter of personal preference.

Whichever camp you fall into, the 308 GTi is certainly well equipped. You get a touchscreen infotainment and sat-nav system with Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio, as well as cruise control, dual-zone air-conditioning and automatic lights and wipers.

The small steering wheel is likely to divide opinion: you’re meant to look over rather than through it to see the dials. Most drivers find it works well, but if you’re taller or shorter than average, it’s worth checking that you don’t find it obscures the speedometer.

The 308 GTi has a large boot, but rear-seat passengers may want more room. One of the key selling points of a hot hatchback is that it offers sport-car performance, yet makes few sacrifices in terms of practicality. The 308 GTi achieves partial success in this area: its 470-litre boot is bigger than those of the Volkswagen Golf GTi, Ford Focus ST and SEAT Leon Cupra, but rear-seat passengers will bemoan the fact that the extra luggage space seems to have come at the expense of their legroom.

There’s also relatively little in the way of interior storage, due to a particularly small glovebox. The door bins are average-sized and while there are a couple of 12v power sockets, overall interior practicality is underwhelming.

The standard Peugeot 308 has proven to be a very reliable car. In the 2016 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, the Peugeot 308 hatchback came 17th out of 150 cars. Drivers praised its reliability and build quality, indicating that Peugeot’s previously questionable reputation for dependability is now a thing of the past.

The 308’s five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP is also encouraging; six airbags, a seatbelt buzzer and speed limiter, alongside sophisticated traction and electronic stability control systems add reassurance, particularly given how much performance the 308 GTi has.

It’s well equipped and quick, but the 308 GTi is also quite expensive. I tested the top-spec 308 GTi 270 model, which – at just over £28,000 – seems quite expensive. A Ford Focus ST is half a second slower from 0-62mph, but it’s also about £5,000 cheaper. Even the less expensive 308 GTi 250 model is undercut by the larger Skoda Octavia vRS by about £2,000.

Still, specifying a 308 GTi is a relatively simple affair, partly due to the fact that Peugeot fits almost every conceivable extra as standard. Alongside the subtle bodykit and sporty interior trim, you get sat-nav, a reversing camera, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone air-conditioning, keyless entry and go, LED headlights and Peugeot’s Driver Sport Pack. In terms of extras, if you order the 308 GTi 250 model, you can upgrade to the 270’s ‘bucket’-style sports seats for £800.

Unless you want the 308 GTi in standard Hurricane Grey paint, other colour options range from the £525 Magnetic Blue to two-tone Coupe Franche for £625. Other than that, the only options are a CD player for £120 and Peugeot’s Connect SOS, which – for £240 – will automatically contact the emergency services in the event of a crash.