Peugeot 308 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid 195 Allure 5dr e-DSC7

Ten Second Review

Peugeot's improved 308 family hatch looks pricey but appealing in this Plug-In Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 form. You can also have a full-EV E-308 model, but the PHEV variant probably makes more sense as an all-round proposition with its now-improved 53 mile EV range capability, claimed three-figure fuel cycle reading and notably efficient CO2 return, which offers low BiK tax status. Other brands offer this kind of capability too, but this 308 delivers it with a bit more flair.

Background

There's quite a premium to pay if you want your next family hatch equipped with Plug-in Hybrid technology. Is it worth it? That's a difficult question to answer and a lot will depend on the type of driving you do and how frequently you're going to remember the plug your car in. What we do know is that the Stellantis Group of brands offer some of the best PHEV options in this segment, the same technology used in this class with Vauxhall's latest Astra, with the DS 4 and with this car, Peugeot's third generation 308. Peugeot updated this technology in early 2025 with a larger 17.2kWh battery, creating the model we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

This updated 308 Plug-In Hybrid gets Peugeot's latest-generation more efficient PHEV powertrain. It combines a new version of the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 125hp electric motor, mated to a new seven-speed dual shift clutch automatic transmission. For this 308, this results in a combined 195hp and 360Nm of torque. Drive range from the 17.2kWh drive battery (only 14.6kWh of which is usable) is up to 53 miles - though that's still way off the 82 miles you'd get from a rival VW Golf GTE PHEV. Rest to 62mph in this PHEV 308 takes 7.6s en route to 140mph. The new powertrain comes with a choice of three drive modes, Hybrid, Electric, and Sport. The default mode is Hybrid, automatically managing the alternating or simultaneous operation of the petrol engine and electric motor. To optimise fuel consumption, this mode will prioritise all-electric driving as often as possible. The Electric mode allows driving using only electric power at speeds of up to 83mph, while in Sport the electric power is used to supplement the petrol engine to deliver maximum performance for more dynamic driving. Ah yes; drive dynamics. You might wonder what you're going to get here. After all, the light, agile handling of the standard 308 has to be affected by adding an extra 344kgs of weight brought about by the Hybrid system - doesn't it? If you don't feel the need to weigh your 308 down with the weight of a baby Asian elephant, we'd understand completely; you can certainly feel the difference all that bulk makes when turning into tight corners at speed. But the attraction of being able to drive your 308 for just over 50 miles without troubling fossil fuel is certainly strong, providing you can stomach the substantial price premium the brand wants for its PHEV tech.

Design and Build

Apart from specific badgework and an extra charging flap, there are no obvious styling cues that set this Plug-in Hybrid version apart. Both hatch and SW estate versions of this third generation 308 have always made a bit of a pavement statement - and do so even more as part of this update, which sees a sleeker nose featuring LED headlamps more hidden in the front face. As part of the front end changes, Peugeot has added an illuminated badge and more body-coloured inserts into the now-sleeker grille. A new 'three-claw' daytime running llight signature replaces the pre-facelift model's vertical bar and the GT models get vertical lighting across the bonnet. More sculpted bumpers and a large air vent aim to improve aerodynamic efficiency too. At the back, all models now get the 3D three-claw rear lights previously only fitted to top-spec GT variants. There are far fewer changes inside, but that always looked quite avant garde and modern - and still does. This update brought smarter seat fabrics and revised instrument cluster graphics. Otherwise, things are as before, the cabin characterised by Peugeot's usual i-Cockpit dashboard layout with its small steering wheel which sits beneath a very avant garde digital instrument panel, with clever 3D image tech borrowed from the brand's smaller 208 supermini. The tall, sloping fascia features a sharp-looking 10-inch touchscreen display which has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and is available in two forms - basic 'i-Connect' and more sophisticated 'i-Connect plus', which offers widescreen navigation from TomTom. Beneath this monitor is a row of freely configurable touch-sensitive controls, called 'i-Toggles'. Each one offers a shortcut to a major function, such as radio, climate control or 'phone. Back seat space (just about enough for two adults) is about average for the class. And, as usual with PHEVs, you'll have to accept a reduction in boot capacity because of the larger battery beneath the floor. The conventional model's 412-litre capacity falls to 368-litres here (it's 548-litres in the SW estate version). With the seats folded, there's 1,271-litres (1,574-litres with the SW).

Market and Model

There's a big price step up to get yourself a 308 Plug-in Hybrid derivative. At the time of this updated model's launch in Autumn 2025, the least you could pay for a 308 PHEV was around £38,000, which gets you the lesser 'Allure' variant - it's just over £3,000 more for top 'GT' trim - and there's also a top 'GT Premium' version. You can also have a 308 PHEV in SW estate form - for around £1,200 more. 'Allure'-spec gets you 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, horizontal chrome stamping on the grille, chromed exhaust surrounds, signature LED daytime running lights and a gloss black connecting strip between the rear lamp clusters. Also added are front parking sensors and dark tinted rear side and tailgate windows. Inside at 'Allure' level, there's upholstery part-trimmed in synthetic leather, ambient lighting for the door panels, an 'AQS 3' air quality system, a 'Visio Park 1' 180-degree colour reversing camera, a rear seat ski hatch and LED-lit sun visors with concealable mirrors. Plus the infotainment screen features 'OK Peugeot' voice recognition. There's also a 'Drive Assist Pack' with various camera safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control. Things start to get really luxurious at 'GT' level, marked out by 18-inch alloy wheels, a dark chrome chequered radiator grille, extended front and side lower body sills, Lion emblem badging on the front wings and, on the SW version, gloss black roof rails. The headlights gain intelligent 'Matrix' technology, which the tail lamps play a sequential 'welcome sequence' when you unlock the car. A 'Driver Sport Pack' adds a personalised colour theme to the digital instrument display and sport adjustment for the steering and accelerator pedal. The steering wheel gains heat, green stitching and full-grain leather, plus there's a 'Mistral' black roof liner and aluminium door sills.

Cost of Ownership

For this petrol Plug-In Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 308 derivative, Peugeot quotes the usual three-figure combined cycle figures (up to 242.7mpg for the Hatch and the SW variant, but the reality is that the 1.6-litre turbo petrol unit that features in these derivatives won't be especially economic once the 49 mile EV range in either case is used up. Which means in reality that you can probably expect running cost returns somewhere between the conventional Hybrid 136 and BlueHDi 308 model versions. Where the Plug-In Hybrid model does hold a cost advantage is with its low 9% Benefit-in-Kind tax exposure, made possible by a CO2 return that can be as low as 26g/km. A Hybrid meter gauge on the dash helps you drive economically (stay out of the 'Power' section and keep the needle in 'Eco' for best results). And you can monitor your Zero emissions running via a neat Cyan LED 'Zero Emissions Driving' indicator light in the frameless rear view mirror. A 3.7kW onboard charger is fitted as standard to all models, enabling a 0-100% charge in 4 hours and 20 minutes, reducing to just over 2 hours with the optional 7.4kW onboard charger. The Plug-in Hybrid 308 variants offer a thermal pre-conditioning function too. Via the 'MyPeugeot' smartphone app or by using the vehicle's touchscreen, owners can schedule a wake-up time for the battery. This means that the cells can be at the optimal temperature for efficiency from the time you start up, plus of course the interior can also be pre-cooled or pre-heated too.

Summary

So where does all that leave us? The answer will depend on whether you buy into the pricey Plug-in Hybrid concept. And whether you're equally convinced by the way that this third generation 308 serves it up. You may not like the sharky looks. And the unusual 'i-Cockpit' dash design is certainly divisive - try before you buy. Those used to the previous generation model might find the ride a little firm. And, especially with the Plug-in Hybrid models, the pricing certainly pushes this car uncomfortably close to what's being charged for premium brand compact hatchbacks of similar size. Overall though, what's on offer here is a car that's continuing to restore Peugeot's reputation for building elegant, comfortable and technologically advanced models. And a car that gives the brand a shot at making good on its upmarket aspirations.