BMW 1 Series F40 vs Peugeot 308 T9

BMW 1 Series

F40 · 2019 – 2024

The third-generation 1 Series (F40), BMW’s first front-wheel-drive model.

Peugeot 308

T9 · 2013 – 2021

The second 308 (T9), 2014 European Car of the Year on EMP2.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

BMW 1 Series

Pick the 1 Series for sharp BMW handling in a roomy, modern premium hatch.

Best engine: The 118i (petrol) or 118d (diesel).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 308

Pick the T9 for the best-balanced 308: light, refined and cheap to run — with the right engine.

Best engine: The 1.2 PureTech (petrol) or 1.5/2.0 BlueHDi (diesel) — post-2017.

Read the full guide

Performance

B38 118i · Petrol vs 1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol

	BMW 1 Series	Peugeot 308
Power	140 hp Winner	130 hp
Torque	220 Nm	230 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	8,5 s Winner	9,6 s
Top speed	213 km/h Winner	205 km/h
Power-to-weight	106,1 hp/t	112,1 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	124 g/km	105 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,5 L/100km	4,7 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	BMW 1 Series	Peugeot 308
Boot	380 L	420 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.200 L	1.270 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,67 m Winner	2,62 m
Length	4,32 m	4,25 m
Ground clearance	15,2 cm	—
Turning circle	11,4 m	10,4 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	1.300 kg	1.500 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	BMW 1 Series	Peugeot 308
Platform	UKL2/FAAR (transverse)	EMP2 (modular)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	B38 1.5 · B48 2.0 · B47 2.0 diesel · 48V mild-hybrid	1.2 PureTech · 1.6 THP/PureTech petrol · 1.5/1.6/2.0 BlueHDi diesel
Transmission	7-speed DCT	6-speed manual · EAT6
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

BMW 1 Series

48V mild-hybrid system
Engine mounts can wear early
Cooling system needs checking

Peugeot 308

1.2 PureTech: wet timing belt
BlueHDi: AdBlue/SCR and DPF
1.5 BlueHDi: timing chain on early units

Pros

BMW 1 Series

More cabin space than its predecessor
Premium interior
Efficient engines

Peugeot 308

Light thanks to EMP2: agile and efficient
Refined interior with i-Cockpit
Strong BlueHDi diesels and smooth EAT6/EAT8

Cons

BMW 1 Series

Front-wheel drive (less playful than before)
Firm ride on M Sport

Peugeot 308

1.2 PureTech: wet timing belt needs strict intervals
Rear seat tight for the class

Driving experience

BMW 1 Series

Agile, sharp and impressively poised for a front-driver. Steering is quick, accurate and well-weighted, body control taut, and the 1 Series turns in keenly with little of the understeer you might expect. sDrive keeps it light and lively; xDrive on the M135i adds tenacious all-weather grip. The B38 triple is willing if a little coarse, the B48 four is smooth and eager, and the B47 diesels pull strongly and stay refined. The 7-speed dual-clutch is quick and slick. Overall a genuinely engaging hatch that feels more BMW than its platform suggests.

Peugeot 308

The T9's party trick is its weight: EMP2 made it roughly 140 kg lighter than the old 308, and you feel it through the steering and damping. The small i-Cockpit wheel and raised dials need a short adjustment period, then the front axle feels quick and accurate while the body stays flat and settled. Most versions run a comfort-tuned torsion-beam rear, so the car rolls absorbently over Belgian cobbles and resists roll in bends without turning harsh. The 1.2 PureTech is eager, the 1.5/2.0 BlueHDi pull strongly and quietly, and the EAT6/EAT8 automatic shifts without fuss. A composed, everyday compact; only the 225 GT and GTi sharpen it into something more urgent.