A Week Driving A Peugeot 308 GTi
I passed my driving test almost 6 years ago; I was late at passing, after having been turned down for a provisional license in my teens. The day of passing we went out and brought a car, the little red panda you had seen on the blog. Yes I am still driving my very first car, it has done me well getting me from A-B. However there are times I wish I had more of an up to date car such as a Vauxhall Corsa for sale. This no more so when I got to drive a Peugeot 308 GTi for a week.
I remember the first time I got into my car after having passed my test, I cried – I found the change from the car I learnt in to a 1.2 hard, I actually thought I might not ever get used to driving another. However I soon got used to it, so it was with trepidation that I agreed to try another car.
I’m going to admit now I am no car connoisseur, I have the list of the fine details of the car and as I don’t understand most of them and you can so easily look them up on the Peugeot website if they interest you, I shall miss them out and keep to the facts that I understand.
To start with let me give you a bit of back ground on the Peugeot 308 GTi, this particular one is magnetic blue in colour, it features 18″ carbon alloys, is a 6 speed manual transition and can go from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 150 miles per hour and also features a duel exhaust to give it that sports vibe.
The inside of the car features fabric seats with leather trims, duel air conditioning, adjustable head rests and arm rests, while the centre console features a 9.7″ touchscreen panel, which can be used as a sat nav, set many of the features in the car such as the air con and radio, as well as show one of my favourite features the reversing cameras.
Fantastically the Peugeot 308 GTi also features automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers so you don’t need to worry about switching them on at the right time, while as well as the reversing camera there are also sensors around the side and back of the car as well. Oh and you don’t need to put the key in the ignition, the 308 GTi uses Peugeot’s Open and Go system which means as long as they keys are in the car you just need to push a button to start.
I should probably admit that when I told my parents I had been offered this to drive, my Dad quickly asked if he could be allowed to drive it as well and as such we spent the week sharing the car.
The car turned up bright and early on a Friday morning, with my Dad actually having just popped over so, we very quickly had a good look at the car and took it for a spin around the village. I instantly felt at ease behind the wheel, with the only issue being I found the brakes quite sharp, however with such a speedy car that is better than the alternative and it wasn’t long before I was used to them.
I personally found the controls quite intuitive; however I would have liked the wheel to have had a little more movement as I didn’t feel completely comfortable with it quite so low down (however I am sure this is to add to the sports feel). We did also find that if you left the car in the sun, the gear stick would become very hot, so if I was to buy the car myself I would choose a different material to the silver cover this particular one came with.
The car features a sports pack, this alters a few things about the car for instance, the main dash changes to red from white and offers you more insights about the way you are driving, adds a bit of extra growl to the engine and changes the mapping of the accelerator.
We didn’t have anything special planned for the week we had the car (after just moving we were all pretty worn out) so we used it as we would our normal car. To test the space we had to pop over to the local shopping centre, as I had brought a lamp that didn’t work, of course I had put it completely together to then found out if didn’t work and as such it was an interesting way to test the space. Thankfully the back seats are easy to fold down and work separately, so we were able to put the left hand seat down, while keeping right in situ meaning three of us could still fit in the car.
We also spent a lot of time around the local area, going to Barton Marina and into Lichfield, So for me this a test of how it would stand up to everyday use and I have to say it passed with flying colours.
Personally I found this a really fun, yet safe feeling car to drive, you could get the umph you needed, when you needed it and yet you could easily cruse around at 20-30 miles per hour as well.
It definitely gave me a lot to think about long term as well, as I would love to see my next car have some of the features of this one such as the parking sensors and camera, cruise control and of course air con (yup my car has no air con at all).
When it came to my Dad’s feeling it was very precise and incredibly responsive. The steering, brakes and accelerator did exactly what I wanted, when I wanted it to. Added to the amazing suspension it really was like driving on rails. Great fun to drive, but like a kitten when popping to the shops for a loaf of bread.
Over all it was an absolutely fun week driving the Peugeot 308 GTi and I would definitely recommend taking it for a test drive should you be looking for a sporty new car.
What do you think of the sound of the Peugeot 308 GTi, is the type of car you would like to drive?
*I was provided with a Peugeot 308 GTi to drive for 7 days.
I’m not big into cars but this is gorgeous. I would definitely love cruising around in this!
I know nothing about cars but I love the colour of it haha X
Haha the colour is absolutely beautiful isn’t it 🙂 x
I had passed my driving test for 26 years before I got a car that was more that 1L. I’ve had 2 1L VW Polos, and now I’ve got a VW Golf GT TDI 1.9L, it’s really fun moving up to something a bit more punchy, but rest assured, one day you’ll get there!
Here’s hoping 😉 just come back from a weekend away and I’d love something that packed a bit more of a punch as you try and pull away haha x
That is one sweet ride! It looks like it would be fun to drive. My kids would love it because it’s so sporty.
I had not heard of this car before your post. And I absolutely love it! Perfect for my 15yr old when he gets his license in a few months.
These are great cars and weren’t really on my radar until we moved over to Europe. I love them.
What a nice ride!! I would love to take a spin in this cool car!!!
That looks like a fun car! I love the blue colour too.
We love the color of this car. Looks great on you, driving is a fun experience!
That car looks NICE. The steering wheel on the right side is throwing me off a bit but all the features sound great.
Looks like a great week spent driving a lovely car. So much better than the minivan I’m taking around town. One day I’ll be back behind the wheel of something like this.
Hopefully I will be able to as well – I really miss it! LOL x
We are looking for a second car, and I love this review. This is exactly what we are looking for!
It’s always been an awesome brand! I love how spacious the car is and it seems to make driving so much easier for the driver!
It was amazing – I want it back haha! Such a fun drive. x
The Peugeot 308 GTi looks like a great vehicle. It has a ton of features I am looking for. I will have to look into taking one for a test drive.
We are in the market for a new car and I am loving this review–this model looks so sleek and smart! Can’t wait to share this post with my husband to get his thoughts!
I am really loving the colour of this car! So pretty. it looks like a wonderful ride, very roomy!
That looks like one great car! I so gotta try it out one day!
The car looks great. I’d love to have a little rally in one.
Looks like a great car— great interiors, space and features!!
— DT
I like the look of the car! It also has a lot of great features!
Ok, this car looks super awesome! I love the sporty feel and all of the options.
Nice car! Blue is such a great color!
Oh my gosh, this car looks like it would be a blast for car trips with me and my husband! Lots of room!
This seems like an amazing car! I love that little touch screen, and it seems quite spacious as well
What a great car! I actually heard of Peugeot bikes long before cars, but now as I am older would love to own one of their cars.
That’s a beautiful color! My husband and I are freaks over blue!
This does sound like a really nice car. I do like the new tech features like the camera and the touch screen. It seems like there is plenty of space too.
That sounds like such a great car! I’ve never heard of Peugeot before but it looks cute!
I love the technological features of this car. It’s such a cool design too.
That looks like a wonderful family car.
This car looks great! It looks like it would be fun to drive and is very reliable. I love the color.
It is my kind of car for sure! It looks incredible.
I like this car, it’s very appealing, I bet it’s a smooth ride. The touchscreen has me excited and the sensors too. There’s so many awesome features.
It is amazing and definitely a nice smooth ride – it was so strange going back to my old panda haha! x
This looks like a snazzier version of the rental car I am driving right now. It looks like fun to drive around in.
It is the all singing and dancing version 😉 oh to be able to afford it. x
I will be honest, I had no idea they still made Peugeots anymore. I actually had one about 15 years ago. it was a great car for the time we had it..until it got stolen.
Oh no what a sad ending for it 🙁 poor Peugeot! x
I like the touch screen in this car. It would be so useful for find places and I would not get lodt.
It is great – I really want one in my next car along with the camera and sensors 😉 X
This looks like a great car! I just got a new car this past spring after driving my last car for 14 years and 220,000 miles!
Ekk how exciting – I’m trying to hold onto mine for as long as I can because it’s been really good, as much as I would love a new one. x
Sounds like a really nice ride – looks pretty sleek too! I need something new but I just bought two teenagers a car so I’m going to have to wait until my budget recovers 🙂
Ekk good luck with getting yourself something new at some point! x
I love the automatic windshield wipers. I wish my car had that feature. How funny that your dad offered to share for a week. 🙂
It didn’t rain when we had it so couldn’t test it but the lights worked well. I know he is so kind isn’t he haha! x
I love how sporty this looks! I had a Peugeot for years and it was brill. However with three kids in car seats, I don’t think this would be big enough for us at the moment
Perhaps one day 😉 I have to say I love driving a car with all the extras it was so much fun!
Looks like a cute car. Zoom zoom zoom!
I love all the features! The car also looks really nice. I love those parking sensors.
That looks like a really nice ride. I’ve never heard of this company before. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t have a car as I live in London right now, but this one sounds great! Love the colour too!
I guess a plus side to London is not needing one – so easy to get around 🙂 x
This looks like such an amazing car! I love the colour.
The colour is gorgeous – I totally want my next one to be blue 😉 x
Looks like a fun car, but at that price I couldn’ justify one over the cheaper GTI Performance or stretching to a Focus RS or Golf R.
That looks and sounds amazing! Its amazing that it can stand up to normal everyday life just as well as the fancy stuff too 🙂
It is absolutely amazing such a dream to drive – I totally want one for myself lol x