The second generation of the Peugeot 308 came out seven years ago and received its first mid-life refresh in 2017 (see video). Both the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf have gone into their next generations in the meantime, but the French carmaker decided to give its 308 model another facelift instead.
The scope of changes is fairly meager. Both the hatchback and the estate/wagon can now be obtained in Bleu Vertigo finish with new wheels and the optional Black Pack. The latter replaces the chrome-coated radiator grille, bumper inserts, window bezels, badges and wheels with blacked-out ones.
Novelty inside boils down to the 10-inch digital dashboard that many had expected to see in the 2017 update. The engines stay the same: there’s the 1.2-liter gasoline unit available in 110 and 130 hp (82 and 97 kW) versions, as well as the 1.5-liter diesel one capable of 100 and 130 hp (75 and 97 kW). The low-end duo ships with six-speed manual transmission, while the high-end duo takes advantage of eight-speed automatic. The hot 308 GTi gets to keep its 1.6-liter turbo-four engine with 263 hp (196 kW) and 340 Nm (254 lb-ft) at the output end.
According to some sources, the Peugeot 308 should go into its next generation in 2021.