Peugeot 308 vs Skoda Octavia

Peugeot 308

Peugeot’s comfortable, low-running-cost compact hatchback.

Skoda Octavia

Skoda’s roomy compact family car.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 308

Pick the 308 for a comfortable, efficient, sharply priced compact with a large used supply.

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

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Skoda Octavia

Pick the Octavia for an exceptionally roomy, practical and reliable family car with a sweet 1.5 TSI or 2.0 TDI.

Best engine: The 1.5 TSI 150 — or the 2.0 TDI for high mileage.

Read the full guide

Performance

1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol vs 1.5 TSI 150 · Petrol

	Peugeot 308	Skoda Octavia
Power	130 hp	150 hp Winner
Torque	230 Nm	250 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	9,4 s	8,5 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h	224 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	104,8 hp/t	120,0 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	118 g/km Winner	122 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,0 L/100km Winner	5,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Peugeot 308	Skoda Octavia
Boot	412 L	600 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.270 L	1.555 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,68 m	2,69 m Winner
Length	4,37 m	4,69 m
Width	1,85 m	1,83 m
Height	1,44 m	1,47 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Peugeot 308	Skoda Octavia
Platform	PF2 (T7) · EMP2 (T9/P51, modular)	MQB (MK3) · MQB evo (MK4)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	1.2 PureTech · 1.6 THP · 1.5/1.6/2.0 BlueHDi · Hybrid · e-308	1.0 TSI · 1.4/1.5 TSI · 2.0 TSI petrol · 1.6/2.0 TDI diesel · 1.4 TSI iV PHEV (MK4)
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid · Electric	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	5/6-speed manual · 4/6/8-speed automatic	6-speed manual · 6/7-speed DSG automatic
Euro standard	Euro 4 (T7 early) · Euro 5 (T7 later) · Euro 6/6d (T9/P51)	Euro 6 (MK3) · Euro 6d (MK4)
LEZ access	Euro 6/6d petrol/diesel and the e-308 allowed in the LEZ	Euro 6 petrol/diesel and the iV plug-in hybrid allowed in the LEZ

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Peugeot 308

1.2 PureTech: wet timing belt needs strict intervals
BlueHDi: AdBlue/SCR and DPF need monitoring
1.6 THP (early T7/T9): timing chain

Skoda Octavia

1.5 TSI: kangarooing on early cars
DSG: jerkiness at low speed
2.0 TDI: DPF/AdBlue and timing belt

Pros

Peugeot 308

Comfortable and quiet for the class
Efficient, wide engine range (including e-308)
Sharply priced with a large used supply

Skoda Octavia

Very roomy boot (600 litres)
Practical and reliable
Broad engine range

Cons

Peugeot 308

Cabin and rear seat tighter than some rivals
i-Cockpit needs adjustment (small wheel, high dials)

Skoda Octavia

Sparse base equipment
Interior with hard plastics
Less refined driving feel

Driving experience

Peugeot 308

—

Skoda Octavia

As a model line, the Octavia is a roomy, comfortable family car. The steering is light and the chassis filters out imperfections neatly, making long trips relaxed. The MK3 feels simpler, the MK4 more modern and refined, yet both are stable and predictable. Diesels deliver smooth torque and petrols respond eagerly. Expect no sporty edge, but safe, comfortable and relaxed progress.